As the OPP transitions its radio communications to an encrypted system, residents around the province are gradually losing the ability to listen in — including in Orillia.
Earlier this week, local Facebook page Nosey Neighbours informed its followers local police have switched to the encrypted system, meaning the page’s constant stream of police-related posts will come to a close after years of keeping the community in the loop on crime, car crashes, and more.
With more than 36,000 followers, the page is no longer able to track police communications over a traditional scanner — drawing the ire and sadness of hundreds of commenters.
“We knew it was coming but this is NOT good news! It truly helped us in more ways than you know,” commented Melinda Lorenz Brandon. “Where to avoid, who to look out for, everything! You provided an extremely important service to the community. Thank you!”
“Terrible. The OPP hide enough from the public — I’m referring to a number of incidents that never received a press release — this is another attempt to hide valuable information that should be public,” commented Derick Lehmann.
Some commenters, however, said they agree with the switch to an encrypted system.
“Thieves who break into stores use the same scanner to listen for when the police are on their way and then they leave just before they get there. Myself, I’m happy they are encrypted now,” Tanis Popowich commented in response to Lehmann.
That concern for safety was highlighted by OPP officials when asked about the decision to encrypt communications. They said the encryption coincides with the provincial government’s decision to transition communications to a new network.
“The radio network used by the OPP is managed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, and the Ontario government is making the change to encrypted communications at this time,” said Brooklyn Harker, OPP Central Region media relations co-ordinator.
“The encryption of the radio system will increase officer and public safety by securing important details of investigations, as well as safeguarding the public’s private and personal information.”
Harker pointed out there are other police services in the province that are either transitioning to, or have always used, encrypted communications, and said the “radio network is used by the OPP as an operational tool and not a source of public information.”
Although the public will no longer be able to listen in once the police service fully encrypts communications across the province, Harker said radio communications are “logged and recorded, which enables transparency through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.”
She said the OPP will continue to provide communications and news releases to the media, on top of social media posts about what’s happening in the communities its serves.
“We’re always trying to improve our media within the OPP as well, and expand the team and the trained media officers so that we’re able to improve and keep relationships with the public and the media,” she said.
While not all OPP detachments have encrypted their communications yet, Harker said the process will unfold in stages, as “the timeline of the full transition is not yet determined.”
For Nosey Neighbours, however, not all is lost.
After the initial post about police switching to encrypted communications, the page put up another post to crowdfund a digital scanner to listen in on local fire service radio communications — quickly meeting its target to purchase the scanner and continue tuning into emergency services chatter.
“I’m so happy for you and us!” commented Donna Graham. “I would be lost without you keeping us informed about what’s happening in our neighbourhoods!”
