So you want to know about police scanners huh?
We'll, you've come to the right place. Below is a brief overview
about police scanners. The information on this page
appears courtesy of our FREE popular eBook, "Inside the World of Police
Scanners".
The information on this
page is divided into the following topics:
Why should you own a police
scanner? The answer is simple:
personal safety, community involvement, and excitement.
The Excitement of Police & Fire Radio
Like the majority of scanner users, I find police and fire
radio communications the primary reason why I listen. Everyday in
every neighborhood across America, police and fire personnel
respond to emergency calls for assistance that range anywhere from
a minor disturbance to a major catastrophe. Over the years I have
found little that compares to the addicting excitement of this
reality as it plays out over the air in life and death situations.
I’m sure at some time or another you’ve been somewhere and
all of a sudden you see a police car or fire engine go speeding by
with its lights and siren on, or you’ve come across streets
blocked off by police and you’ve wondered what the heck was
going on. With a scanner you’ll know exactly what’s going on
and where, possibly even helping you to avoid dangerous
situations. You’ll know what’s going on around you at all
times, even when you travel, provided mobile use is permitted.
(See Section 1.4 for more on mobile use)
See our "Police
Scanners & Emergency Preparedness" page for more info.
Disasters & Other Major Emergencies
Disasters and other major emergencies can strike at anytime
with little or no warning including:
- Earthquakes
- Hurricanes
- Thunderstorms
- Tornadoes
- Floods
- Winter Storms
- Blizzards
- Severe Wind Condition
- Major Brush/Wildfires
A police scanner
can provide you with key information during any major disaster
enabling you to take necessary action before it’s too late!
There have been countless situations over the years where my
scanner has been without a doubt, my most valuable possession.
During any of these events,
experts estimate that you may be without help for up to 72 hours.
In addition, utilities such as power and water may be out for
significant amounts of time. You may even have to flee from your
home with little or no warning to avoid danger.
See our "Police
Scanners & Emergency Preparedness" page for more info.
Critical Mishaps & Accidents
Critical mishaps and accidents result from human error or
intentional acts and can strike at anytime without little or no
warning. These mishaps include, but are not limited to:
- Toxic Chemical Spills
- Natural Gas Ruptures/Explosions
- Deadly Highway Hazards
- Power Outages/Blackouts
- Airline & Rail Disasters
When these events occur near you, a police scanner can provide you
with information you need to know to avoid danger before it’s
too late!
See our "Police
Scanners & Emergency Preparedness" page for more info.
Dangerous Police Situations
Dangerous police activity can occur at anytime without warning
and can include situations such as:
- High-Speed Pursuits
- Crimes In Progress
- Neighborhood Lockdowns
- Suspect Containment Searches
- Riots & Civil Unrest
- Bomb Threats
- Crime Scenes & more!
Knowledge Is Key! If there’s an armed suspect on the loose in
my neighborhood, I want to know about it. If police are in
high-speed pursuit of a fleeing suspect in my neighborhood, I want
to know about it. If the local fast-food restaurant is robbed, I
want to know about it. A police scanner can provide you with important
information you need to know during any dangerous situation.
See our "Police
Scanners & Emergency Preparedness" page for more info.
Neighborhood Crime Awareness
Do You Know How Safe You Neighborhood Is? You would be
surprised to learn about the number of things that occur every day
right in your own neighborhood that you never hear about.
With a police scanner you can stay on top of these types of event that
occur in your neighborhood because you’ll know exactly where,
when, and how they occur. Not only that, you get a firsthand
insight as to what cops have to deal with day-in and day-out
laying their lives on the line, you will gain a new understanding
of why they really are our heroes!
Making Your Neighborhood Safer!
A scanner can help you in making your neighborhood safer! I
help make my neighborhood safer by acting as an extra set of eyes
and ears for my local police, a one-man neighborhood watch
operation!
"Law Enforcement also noticed and realized that the
communities in which citizens observed and reported suspicious
activity had lower crime rates" - USAonWatch
"Citizens with scanners are a valuable resource for the
police department. Many times information has come from people
with scanners that has led to crimes being solved." -
St.
Joseph News, Dec. 16, 2002
You too can use your scanner to help in making your own
neighborhood safer by helping out your
local police. It’s simple. Let’s say you hear about a
crime near you, just keep eyes and ears open for anything unusual
like a vehicle speeding away from the area or maybe an unknown
vehicle driving up and down your street as if "casing the
neighborhood". Call your local police station’s
non-emergency number (call information for the number) and let
them know you heard a call on your scanner and you have some
information that may be related. If you do not wish to give your
name, you can remain anonymous. If it’s an emergency, dial 911,
otherwise, if it’s just to provide additional information,
calling the station’s non-emergency line is fine.
WARNING, NEVER ATTEMPT TO DETAIN OR CONFRONT A SUSPECT (S)
INVOLVED IN A CRIME, INSTEAD, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY AND LET POLICE
HANDLE THE SITUATION!
See our "Police
Scanners & Emergency Preparedness" page for more info.
A
police scanner is the nickname given to a radio scanner. A radio
scanner is a special receiver that is capable of receiving
wireless radio signal transmissions. These wireless signals
include two-way radio transmissions used everyday in public safety
and business operations. 