Curious about police activity in your area, but don't want to invest in a dedicated police scanner? Try using your Android phone instead.

Chicago officials are moving to block members of the public and the media from being able to monitor some police radio traffic in real time.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Police departments around the country are working to shield their radio communications from the public as cheap, user-friendly technology has made it easy for anyone to use ...

Smartphone apps such as Police Scanner - Live Radio let the public listen to law enforcement’s radio broadcasts. Scrambling those signals opens the door to secrecy and abuse of power. Google ...

Police say at times an officer responds to a crime and finds the suspect listening to the local police scanner. Such chatter could allow criminals to keep tabs on police locations or activities.

The NYPD is set to fully encrypt its radio broadcasts by the end of next year as part of a nearly $400 million planned system upgrade — setting off alarm among local politicians and press ...

Public safety agencies – including police, fire and EMS – will encrypt their radio feeds to add an extra layer of safety for first responders and the public.