Comments on: Escambia Purchases $12.5 Million Radio System; Media Outlets Ask For Delay Over Dispute With Sheriff http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:45:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jack T http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-54815 Jack T Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:49:29 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-54815 The right of the public to know what is going on does not extend into the arena of real time operational details on life threatening calls or calls where information needs to be disseminated among officers widely, quickly and yet securely. The media types are upset because now they'll have to pound a little more shoeleather. The job of the police is not to provide the media with leads to stories, it is to efficiently and effectively fight crime and protect the public. There is NO reason that the media can't get their information from a delayed CAD or by SMS alert. The argument that "they're a public service" doesn't hold water. If the media demanded all of the details of a crime scene on a homicide that was still being worked, they wouldn't get it. I can think of a lot more situations where encryption would be helpful than it would harmful. It is awfully lame to try to bring up tornado warnings and what not, as if those come from the police department and not NOAA. If you think a new Sheriff would abandon a tool that makes his officers more efficient and safe, you're dreaming. The right of the public to know what is going on does not extend into the arena of real time operational details on life threatening calls or calls where information needs to be disseminated among officers widely, quickly and yet securely. The media types are upset because now they’ll have to pound a little more shoeleather. The job of the police is not to provide the media with leads to stories, it is to efficiently and effectively fight crime and protect the public. There is NO reason that the media can’t get their information from a delayed CAD or by SMS alert. The argument that “they’re a public service” doesn’t hold water. If the media demanded all of the details of a crime scene on a homicide that was still being worked, they wouldn’t get it. I can think of a lot more situations where encryption would be helpful than it would harmful. It is awfully lame to try to bring up tornado warnings and what not, as if those come from the police department and not NOAA. If you think a new Sheriff would abandon a tool that makes his officers more efficient and safe, you’re dreaming.

]]> By: JW http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52526 JW Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:16:11 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52526 Does ANYONE that is making these negative comments currently (or in the past) worked in the law enforcement field? Do you have ANY idea of crap these men and women deal with on a daily basis? I am willing to put money on the table and say that you do not. I have seen first hand where a crack house (on Satsuma Ave.) was busy one minute, and as soon as the call went out they all scattered. Yea, guess what, they were listening with the same radio shack brand scanner you have at home. Sorry if offends someone but the Sheriff made a decision, he is not going to change his mind just because 1/10 of the population gets their panties in a wad. Stick to your guns Sheriff! Most of us that are not conspiracy nuts and care about what you guys do have your back! JW from FD Does ANYONE that is making these negative comments currently (or in the past) worked in the law enforcement field? Do you have ANY idea of crap these men and women deal with on a daily basis? I am willing to put money on the table and say that you do not.

I have seen first hand where a crack house (on Satsuma Ave.) was busy one minute, and as soon as the call went out they all scattered. Yea, guess what, they were listening with the same radio shack brand scanner you have at home.

Sorry if offends someone but the Sheriff made a decision, he is not going to change his mind just because 1/10 of the population gets their panties in a wad.

Stick to your guns Sheriff! Most of us that are not conspiracy nuts and care about what you guys do have your back!

JW from FD

]]> By: Mark http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52436 Mark Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:35:06 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52436 Just in time for election time. Smells like Morgan is another McNesby in sheep's skin. He is not doing anything up here he promised. Nothing but a shell game. I hope someone else runs next time. Just in time for election time. Smells like Morgan is another McNesby in sheep’s skin. He is not doing anything up here he promised. Nothing but a shell game. I hope someone else runs next time.

]]> By: Joe http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52350 Joe Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:00:57 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52350 Citizens: The sheriff works for YOU. If he insists on conducting all operations in the shadows, fire him at your next opportunity. Your county just spent $12+million of YOUR money and plan to keep YOU, the taxpayer, in the dark. One encrypted channel for drug enforcement and similar operations is all that can be reasonably justified by a PUBLIC agency. Anything more, especially fully encrypting the system, opens the door for abuse. The example cited by the sheriff in the article could be solved with ONE encrypted channel. Could it not? Public tips from scanner listeners have solved far more crimes than criminals listening to scanners have ever avoided. What you lose from full encryption is far greater than what is gained by it. And that is not even considering the accountability of the public agencies. YOUR public agencies which YOU have a right and an obligation to monitor and hold accountable. If they insist on operating in the shadows, let them (the comissioners and the sheriff) know at the ballot box. Citizens: The sheriff works for YOU. If he insists on conducting all operations in the shadows, fire him at your next opportunity. Your county just spent $12+million of YOUR money and plan to keep YOU, the taxpayer, in the dark.

One encrypted channel for drug enforcement and similar operations is all that can be reasonably justified by a PUBLIC agency. Anything more, especially fully encrypting the system, opens the door for abuse. The example cited by the sheriff in the article could be solved with ONE encrypted channel. Could it not?

Public tips from scanner listeners have solved far more crimes than criminals listening to scanners have ever avoided. What you lose from full encryption is far greater than what is gained by it. And that is not even considering the accountability of the public agencies. YOUR public agencies which YOU have a right and an obligation to monitor and hold accountable.

If they insist on operating in the shadows, let them (the comissioners and the sheriff) know at the ballot box.

]]> By: David Huie Green http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52276 David Huie Green Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:03:16 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52276 REGARDING: " If I was a rich person I’m sure my trial would have been a lot different. " "A MAN IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN BROKE." REGARDING:
” If I was a rich person I’m sure my trial would have been a lot different. ”

“A MAN IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN BROKE.”

]]> By: me http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52274 me Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:57:56 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52274 In the end the leos are gonna do and say what they want. Till we have a full force of honest leos that want to protect and serve honestly none of it matters. I have a deposition from an officer that says one thing under oath then another deposition saying something completely the opposite then when his old smurky self gets up there to testify I hear him say he really don't remember. Now were talking about someone's life on the line its your JOB to get it right. They allow things to be put in places that isn't right to be used against one. God help us all. And I'm not saying they are all bad cause I've met some that seem genuine but one never knows. If I was a rich person I'm sure my trial would have been a lot different. Keep on letting criminals take advantage of the system. And I'm sure dispatch doesn't go over the radio with someones full name that calls in on the drug dealers that would be stupid anyway In the end the leos are gonna do and say what they want. Till we have a full force of honest leos that want to protect and serve honestly none of it matters. I have a deposition from an officer that says one thing under oath then another deposition saying something completely the opposite then when his old smurky self gets up there to testify I hear him say he really don’t remember. Now were talking about someone’s life on the line its your JOB to get it right. They allow things to be put in places that isn’t right to be used against one. God help us all. And I’m not saying they are all bad cause I’ve met some that seem genuine but one never knows. If I was a rich person I’m sure my trial would have been a lot different. Keep on letting criminals take advantage of the system. And I’m sure dispatch doesn’t go over the radio with someones full name that calls in on the drug dealers that would be stupid anyway

]]> By: 24/7 http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52235 24/7 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:29:18 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52235 For all that is not familiar with our current communications in the county... A new and updated system is needed for the safety of responders. Our current system is outdated.. I do not care if the public can scan it or not, my only concern is that the ones who actualy need it, it works for them. For all that is not familiar with our current communications in the county… A new and updated system is needed for the safety of responders. Our current system is outdated.. I do not care if the public can scan it or not, my only concern is that the ones who actualy need it, it works for them.

]]> By: David Huie Green http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52200 David Huie Green Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:43:07 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52200 REGARDING: ". . . the sheriff . . . will hide 100% of what he does." Remember he said he isn't hiding it, just doesn't want to release it until after the fact.. All his actions regarding dispatch would be open to the people, it just reduces the chance of independent observers as well as reducing the chance of alerting his targets. He considers it a good balance. News people would prefer he not alert his targets (so they will have something to report) but let them know at the time so they can be there and see and report how it went down. David for the perfect balance on a fine weekend REGARDING:
“. . . the sheriff . . . will hide 100% of what he does.”

Remember he said he isn’t hiding it, just doesn’t want to release it until after the fact.. All his actions regarding dispatch would be open to the people, it just reduces the chance of independent observers as well as reducing the chance of alerting his targets.

He considers it a good balance.

News people would prefer he not alert his targets (so they will have something to report) but let them know at the time so they can be there and see and report how it went down.

David for the perfect balance
on a fine weekend

]]> By: Resident http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52199 Resident Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:33:34 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52199 It's nice to know that the sheriff who campaigned on transparency will hide 100% of what he does. Was there a problem at our schools today? Do deputies still patrol Walnut Hill or are they always in the crime hell of Century? Did a deputy wreck a car because he was speeding to lunch? Do the deputies get our on our streets and patrol, or just sit at the station watching college football on Saturday afternoons? We, the taxpaying public, won't know because the general will have his secret radios. It’s nice to know that the sheriff who campaigned on transparency will hide 100% of what he does. Was there a problem at our schools today? Do deputies still patrol Walnut Hill or are they always in the crime hell of Century? Did a deputy wreck a car because he was speeding to lunch? Do the deputies get our on our streets and patrol, or just sit at the station watching college football on Saturday afternoons? We, the taxpaying public, won’t know because the general will have his secret radios.

]]> By: Shelley Sheahan http://www.northescambia.com/2010/09/escambia-purchases-12-5-million-radio-system-media-outlets-ask-for-delay-over-dispute-with-sheriff/comment-page-1#comment-52196 Shelley Sheahan Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:26:34 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=26975#comment-52196 Just An Old Soldier, Sheriff Morgan is correct - some well organized dealers will have someone located close by with a scanner. That's why we, here in St. Louis County, use encryption for drug deals, raids, etc. Currently we don't have a digital system but our new system was voted on by the people of St. Louis County and it passed! So it will be coming soon and encryption will be on the channels which need to have it - as mentioned in my previous post. The public can be and has been a huge asset for law enforcement. But there are very important reasons to have the capability to encrypt certain channels, when needed. Just An Old Soldier, Sheriff Morgan is correct – some well organized dealers will have someone located close by with a scanner. That’s why we, here in St. Louis County, use encryption for drug deals, raids, etc. Currently we don’t have a digital system but our new system was voted on by the people of St. Louis County and it passed! So it will be coming soon and encryption will be on the channels which need to have it – as mentioned in my previous post. The public can be and has been a huge asset for law enforcement. But there are very important reasons to have the capability to encrypt certain channels, when needed.

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