Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com: Tyler Clancy, an 18-year-old aspiring firefighter, runs the Kendall County Scanner Incident Facebook page, which has become a go-to source for real-time updates on police activity. The page, along with its counterpart for Kane County residents, is filled with reports of traffic accidents, shootings, and other emergency calls, all sourced from police scanner chatter. Clancy and his team of moderators say their goal is to keep local communities informed about what’s happening in their neighborhoods. Since launching in January 2014, the pages have grown rapidly, amassing thousands of followers. “I never expected to hit 1,000 followers, let alone 13,000,†Clancy said. “It just took off.†While some people use the pages for entertainment or curiosity, others rely on them for timely information about incidents in their area. However, not everyone is happy with the popularity of these pages. Many local law enforcement agencies are concerned about the public access to police radio transmissions. As a result, several departments have started encrypting their communications to prevent sensitive information from being shared online. For example, the Elgin Police Department began encrypting its dispatch system in early 2014 after criminals were caught using scanner apps to track police movements during crimes. Naperville and Aurora police departments have also taken steps to secure their broadcasts. “Our digital radio system is encrypted, so you can’t just pick it up with a regular scanner,†said Deputy Chief Brian Cunningham of Naperville PD. Meanwhile, Aurora Police Department spokesperson Dan Ferrelli noted that while encryption helps protect sensitive data, it doesn’t always stop leaks when neighboring agencies don’t use the same technology. “We’ve had situations where information from other departments became public, and we wished we could have kept it more confidential,†he said. Despite these concerns, Clancy and Dan Simon, the creator of the Kane County Scanner Incident page, insist they take care to avoid spreading unverified or sensitive information. “We always try to make it clear that something isn’t confirmed until we’re absolutely sure,†Simon said. Meanwhile, Kane County Sheriff’s Lt. Patrick Gengler praised the responsible way the pages are managed, especially by young people who are passionate about keeping their communities informed. Technology has made it easier than ever to access police communications. Gone are the days when expensive, bulky scanners were needed to listen in. Now, free apps on smartphones allow anyone to tune in from anywhere at any time. With pages like these available on Facebook, even those without a scanner can stay updated on local events. Stainless Steel Pipe Tube,Decoration Stainless Steel 201,Stainless Steel 201 Welded Pipe,304 Steel Gate Price Jiangsu Changyueda Metal Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.goodstainlesssteel.com