Keeping Staten Island Safe: The Power of Open Police Radios

Trust is a big deal when it comes to keeping communities safe. It's not about liking or disliking the police. It's about making sure everyone is on the same page. That's why there's a push for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the “Keep Police Radios Public Act” into law. This bill, backed by Senate Majority Leader Michael Gianaris and Assembly member Karines Reyes, has been a long time coming. It gives approved media members and emergency volunteers access to encrypted police radios. Police departments across the country are switching to encrypted radios to stop criminals from using radio traffic to their advantage. There have been cases where criminals and even protesters used police scanners to plan their moves. For example, during the George Floyd protests, some protesters used Chinese-made Baofeng radios to interfere with NYPD communications. Encryption can prevent this kind of interference. The sponsors of the bill understand that the “bad guys” aren't the media or emergency responders. They also know that federal rules say all emergency responders must be able to communicate effectively during disasters. This was a big issue on 9/11 when poor communication led to the loss of 343 firefighters and 72 police officers. Police departments have concerns about privacy for crime victims and accident victims. But almost no department shares personal information over the airwaves. Dispatchers have been telling officers to use their phones for personal details for years. Some police departments are against the press listening to their radios. But some of the most important news stories have come from media members hearing radio calls. Would the public have known about the Sean Bell shooting or the Times Square pressure cooker bombs without the media? And on 9/11, every bit of information was crucial to saving lives. Patrick Lynch, former president of the Police Benevolent Association in NYC, said that 95 percent of what the press reports is favorable to police officers. Most media members see themselves as partners with the police. Are members of the media the “bad guys, ” or just the messengers? In a civil society, we don't shoot the messengers. Instead, we use that information to make society safer. That's why Governor Hochul should sign the “Keep Police Radios Public Act” and make it law. Trust in law enforcement is wearing thin for many people. It's seen in the courts where cops are accused of bias and in the streets where officers are treated with disrespect. Departments have made progress by using body-worn cameras. But encrypting radios without giving the press access takes away vital checks and balances. Governor Hochul should see that signing this bill is not against policing. It's about creating greater trust between police and the public.