Criminals Put Scanner Hobbyists In Bad Light

While it is true that a miniscule number of criminals do use police scanners to assist in their criminal activity, the vast majority of scanner listeners are law-abiding citizens like me.

In A Bad Light

As I previously mentioned in the post "Police Scanners & the Law", I never go anywhere without my scanner and over the last twenty-something years, I have been pulled over a few times for minor traffic violations and have never had a problem with having a scanner. However, this is not always the case, especially in high crime areas.

Unfortunately, criminals who get caught with police scanners put us law abiding citizens in a bad light with law enforcement which often results in police officers having the mind set of "if they have a scanner, they must be doing something illegal".

In addition, this is often used by law enforcement to push for "encrypted" or blocked communications because "criminals are listening in". What they don't take into consideration is that us law-abiding citizens are an extra set of eyes and actually help law enforcement when crimes are committed in our neighborhoods.

Should you be questioned by an officer as to why you have a scanner, be patient and just answer the questions honestly and everything should be fine. For more info, see "Police Scanners & the Law".

Police Scanners in the News

So, here are a few examples of criminals who were recently caught with and/or using police scanners to facilitate their crimes:

• Scotts Valley: Police Release Photo of Suspected Cop Impersonator - excerpt: "Akira Kelcasy Kelly was arrested Sept. 3 after police watched him fit a decommissioned police cruiser with a radar detector, siren, PA system, police lights and a scanner, according to Scotts Valley police Sgt. Mike Dean." Read full story...

• 1 Arrested, 1 Sought in School Burglary - excerpt: "One of the men appeared to have a police scanner in his pocket and when officers reported to police dispatchers the scene they were witnessing, both men fled." Read full story...

• Serial Burglar Used Police Scanner - excerpt: "It’s believed a suspected serial burglar used a portable police scanner to stay one step ahead of the cops." Read full story...

I know, dumbest criminals right... 

Well, that's all for now, till next time, stay safe and happy scanning.

-Ruben Flores
Bloghost & Webmaster @ Police-Scanner.info
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