[ScanIndiana] Terre Haute Testing New System

[David Safdy]

Police's scrambled radio signals upset scanner junkies
Associated Press
Last updated 01:58 PM, EST, Wednesday, July 10, 2002

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) -- Residents who spend hours listening to police
radio traffic are upset that Terre Haute's new police radio system is
capable of scrambling transmissions.

Police scanner aficionado Ray McCreary said he understands the added
safety digital scrambling provides officers by preventing bad guys from
listening in. But he still doesn't like the silence.  "How are the
people supposed to know what's really going on in the community?" asked
McCreary, who has listened to a scanner for years.

The new police radios are part of a $1.2 million upgrade and have the
capability of scrambling transmissions so they can't be heard by the
general public.

On Monday afternoon, the Terre Haute Police Department began testing
that option on the new digital system, leaving scanner enthusiasts
listening to mostly silence.

But it isn't just the public that's concerned about the radio silence. 
Ian Marquand, chairman of the Society of Professional Journalists'
freedom of information committee, said police scanners are a mainstay in
newspaper, television and radio newsrooms.

"We're concerned about it, because once you go to an encrypted system it
puts normal police scanners, which are one of the core tools of the
newsroom, out of business," Marquand said.

Terre Haute Police Chief Jim Horrall said authorities are not trying to
hide anything from the public with the encrypted radio system, which is
expected to be completely functioning within weeks. "It's just a facet
of technology that makes it better for police agencies," he said.

Assistant Chief Jeff Trotter said the new encrypted radios are a must
for safety purposes.  Detectives frequently report finding police
scanners when they serve search warrants in drug cases, he noted. By
silencing the scanners, police-radio conversations will be kept from
career criminals. "This is just the way it needs to be," Trotter said. 
He said a police blotter that lists all police runs will remain
available for public review, although it won't provide entertainment for
scanner junkies.

Although city police traffic won't be broadcast readily, some scanners
can still pick up Sheriff's Department radio talk, which is not
encrypted, said Vigo County Sheriff Bill Harris.

Steve Key, attorney for the Hoosier State Press Association, said the
issue of encrypted systems has come up sporadically across the state. 
"I think in the majority of the cases, the police have been able to work
with the media," he said.

But Marquand said he's concerned about times when departments aren't as
cooperative. In some instances, police departments have made radios
available to media outlets, he said.  But problems can develop if
department personnel are unhappy with a story. "They have the ability to
turn you off," Marquand said.

Source:
http://www.indystar.com/data/wire/out/0710ap_m69fad7009.html