Virginia Beach — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- From car crashes to home invasions, Harry Brogan is constantly listening to Virginia Beach Police scanner traffic.
"If there is something going on in my neighborhood I want to know,” said Brogan. “If I see six, seven, eight, nine police officers cruising around the area, is it something I need to be concerned with, and what better way to do it than turn on the scanner," said Brogan.
The more serious issues that go out over the airwaves are often posted by Brogan on his Facebook Page, Virginia Beach Police Scanners, which has 4,500 followers.
"All we are doing is we are posting the information that becomes available to us and trying to get it out there in a nice orderly manner without causing problems for the police," said Brogan.
However, Virginia Beach Police said it is causing problems, so they are asking the city to encrypt 2,400 radios, according to the Capital Improvements Program Budget:
With the prevalence of police scanner apps, as well as dedicated social media groups. Police officers are unable to securely discuss tactical information while in the midst of conducting an operation. This has allowed suspects to evade capture and has placed officers and citizens in greater danger.
"I don't think we have ever put anyone in direct danger," said Brogan. "It's not going to be a specific address during an active police situation, never happen."
Brogan also said, encryption or no encryption, in the long run, it won't make a difference.
"Because the scanner corporations are going to figure out a way to unencrypt it and get it to scan, that's their business,” said Brogan.
The radio encryption program is currently part of the upcoming budget which will be voted on May 15. The initial cost is $5 million, but there will be additional payments in the future that would put the total cost over $6 million.
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