Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

New York Legislature Passes Bill to Grant Journalists Access to Encrypted NYPD Radio

It requires the NYPD to provide credentialed reporters with live streams of its encrypted radio channels to uphold public oversight.

Image
Police scanner
Image

Overview

  • The Legislature approved the Keep Police Radio Public Act on June 5 following votes of 89-55 in the Assembly and 38-22 in the Senate.
  • Sponsored by Assemblymember Karines Reyes and State Sen. Michael Gianaris, the measure obliges the NYPD to grant credentialed media real-time access to its encrypted communications.
  • The NYPD maintains its nearly $1 billion encryption upgrade is essential for officer safety and victim privacy and warns that broad access could jeopardize both.
  • Press organizations including the New York Media Consortium and the News Guild of New York championed the bill to restore timely reporting of emergencies.
  • The legislation now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for final approval before it can take effect.