The Loveland Police Department Encrypts Their Police Scanners
If you're listening to police scanners, you won't be hearing anything from the Loveland Police Department (LPD).
According to The Coloradoan, the LPD decided to encrypt their police scanners back in October, so not everyone can listen to their calls for service.
While this does prevent the community from getting information on police activity quickly, the decision to encrypt the scanners came down to officer safety and public privacy.
LPD Lt. Jan Burreson said that encryption prevents criminals from listening in, and protects the names of witnesses and victims.
However, the LPD might have to change their encryption tactics soon.
Colorado lawmakers have proposed a bill to "prevent the governmental entity from imposing unreasonable and burdensome limitations on access to radio communications."
If passed, the bill would require police to enact an encryption policy that allows the public to access scanner traffic through alternative means.
The next hearing for the bill is on March 4.
In the meantime, police traffic from the LPD is off limits — unless a records request is made for scanner information.
For those who want to hear the information in real time, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Poudre Fire Authority, and Colorado State Patrol currently do not have encrypted police scanners.