Mercury News and East Bay Times Editorial Board
For most of the past century, the police scanner has been an invaluable resource for journalists who keep tabs on potential crime in their communities.
Monitoring the radio calls of law enforcement informs reporters of possible offenses and enables them to know where to go to cover a breaking news story and to observe the actions of cops.
But suddenly in the past two years, police across California have blocked radio communications, making it impossible for journalists to monitor activity. The cops claim — falsely — that they have no other way to protect citizens’ personal and criminal information.
Just as it seemed that state lawmakers and police departments in California were getting the message about the need for police transparency, about 120 law enforcement agencies across the state, including much of the Bay Area, have encrypted their chatter…That’s anathema to the notions of a free press and police oversight. This massive coverup needs to stop.