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Is listening to police scanners online illegal?
A: Yes, using a scanner or scanner app on your smartphone for the purpose of simply listening to and not communicating with/or interfering with first responders is legal. However, you are not allowed to use the app while operating a motor vehicle or to advance a crime.
Are police scanner apps safe?
Police scanner apps simply play for you what departments have made publicly available, so there’s usually no legal risks in using them—unless you’re committing a crime while doing so, in which case it could add to the offenses you’re charged with, depending on the state.
Is listening to police radios illegal?
52.44 titled “Willfully listening to Police and Fire Departments portable radio messages prohibited” makes it unlawful for any person to willfully listen by means of any radio receiving device located in or upon any vehicle to any official message which is being transmitted by the Police Department or Fire Department …
How do police scanners work?
Police scanners allow you to pick up radio frequencies & listen to communication on those frequencies much like an FM radio allows you to listen to different channels by changing the dial from 93.7FM to 102.5FM. By changing the channel, your radio is picking up one signal & blocking out another.
What are police scanners used for?
Scanners, commonly called “police scanners,” are radio receivers designed to tune to radio frequencies used by police, fire, ambulance and a wide variety of other emergency services.
What band are police radios on?
Public Safety Spectrum
| Frequency | MHz Available for Public Safety |
|---|---|
| 25-50 MHz (VHF Low Band) | 6.3 MHz |
| 150-174 MHz (VHF High Band) | 3.6 MHz [non-contiguous] |
| 220-222 (220 MHz band) | 0.1 MHz |
| 450-470 (UHF Band) | 3.7 MHz [non-contiguous] |
Is it legal to download a police scanner app?
There are no prohibitions against using a police scanner outside your home, which means it’s perfectly legal to download and use a police scanner app. In some cities, police departments actually provide citizens with links to their department’s activity.
Are police scanners legal in the United States?
The short answer is no. Operating a police scanner like this is legal in the United States according to the country law. Generally, you won’t have the authorities surround your house and jail you for using a police scanner. There are a few more certain conditions that have to be fulfilled before the police can penalize you.
Why are there laws against listening to police scanner conversations?
These laws were enacted to prevent users from listening to police communications with the intent to circumvent speed traps. Most of these laws were intended for “fuzz busters,” but they also apply to scanners. Please note that police scanner apps are also covered by most of these statues.
Are police scanners considered public property?
You see, there is a given understanding that everything relayed through the signals a police scanner can pick up is public property. In the United States, the airwaves are not presumed to be private, and this is stated in the 1934 Communications Act.