It’s premature to set a firm date for the digital system to be up and running because the project must still be priced and funded, Rosencrans said.Ĭounty council voted in November to hire Pennsylvania-based MCM Consulting Group for $380,357 to handle the first stage of the radio upgrade. Speziale also believes that encryption will work for a while, but that someone will eventually be able to crack the technology and listen in. “We click a button and sends an alert to the county and the officers on duty that we are responding to a call.” “We don’t have to say a word,” Speziale added. “The county communications center sends us the calls and we can view them right away.” “We have tablets that we can respond to calls,” he said. “I understand why departments decide to encrypt their transmissions because you do have criminals that listen in,” said Speziale, adding that lack of interference is another benefit.Īlready Hazleton takes a ‘silent dispatch’ approach thanks to computer technology in each officer’s vehicle. In Hazleton, Police Chief Jerry Speziale said he sees the benefits of encryption, but also acknowledged that he would need more information on funding and technology before making a decision. “However, I would encrypt sensitive talk groups, like narcotic busts or undercover operations.”īut O’Malley said he sees no overall reason to keep the media or public from hearing what is going on. “I would keep day-to-day transmissions open,” O’Malley said. In Plains Township, Police Chief James O’Malley sees the opportunity for a compromise. “A lot of people just listen to it to hear what’s going on and activity throughout the county,” he said.
Rosencrans acknowledged scanner listening is a popular pastime for some area residents, and he does not expect many to invest in digital scanners, which cost hundreds of dollars for basic models without the “bells and whistles.” Under the current plan, fire department channels won’t be encrypted because they generally don’t broadcast sensitive information, he said. The county would not encrypt its general 911 law enforcement channel because it is intended to provide general bulletins and information about disasters and other regional emergencies, he said. “It’s not only an officer safety issue but also a privacy issue that has to be considered,” Rosencrans said. Some online sites rebroadcast scanner frequencies, making the information accessible to listeners anywhere, he said. Personal information, such as names and dates of birth, also are broadcast over the air when police run traffic stops, he said. Let’s face it, the bad guys listen to scanners as well,” Rosencrans said. “A lot of police departments want it for officer safety.
The data here may or may not be accurate or complete, and should only be used for entertainment purposes only.Many local police officials expressed interest in encryption when 911 started studying the digital conversion possibility several years ago, citing concerns about suspects tracking their activity and location, which could endanger officers or give suspects a heads up to flee, Rosencrans said.ĭebates about encryption have surfaced across the country as more areas go digital, he said. If you feel you are in danger or have emegency, call 911. Wichita County Dispatch Alerts makes no warranty to data or usability of this website.Īgain, Wichita Alerts is not affiliated with Wichita County, the City of Wichita Falls, WFPD or the WFFD. If you are looking for arrests, visit here for the Wichita County Sherrif's Office. These events are simply the logs of dispatch to our service personell to assist the citizens of Wichita County. These events may or may not represent actual arrests, tickets or crimes. CADWEB delays current events by approximately fifteen minutes for the protection of our officers and emergency professionals. All maps are approximate (and more than likely inaccurate) and may or may not be the scene of any businesses or residences noted. This website is in no way associated with the City of Wichita Falls, Wichita County or any of its services. This site provides current and historical data of.
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