LACEY: OCSN is sad to report the Lacey Township Police Department has joined the ranks of local police departments that DO NOT value transparency. After decades of using their primary UHF frequencies @ 460.400 MHz & 453.425 MHz- they switched to the Ocean County 700 MHz trunked digital system. Against the recommendations of Sheriff Mastronardy, the department decided to encrypt ALL their channels- meaning scanners can no longer listen to them. Previously Lacey PD left dispatch channels and primary operations on Channel 1 in the clear, meaning unencrypted- so scanners could pick them up. When sensitive information (or officer safety) needed to be maintained, Lacey PD switched to Channel 2, which offered privacy with encryption. Scanners can’t pick up their digital CH2 to keep bad guys from listening- which is the most fair compromise.

This is the fair compromise that OCSN and other media outlets agree is mutually beneficial. Police get the privacy & security they often need on their Channel 2, but the public, media, and other people with scanners can still receive them on CH1. Police departments who totally encrypt ALL channels effectively lock out the media and public- and maintain a climate of secrecy that shuns transparency. We here at OCSN have been fighting departments like them for years, and it truly shows what kind of police force you are by hiding behind encryption.

OCSN met with Sheriff Mastronardy years ago to ensure routine dispatch channels would be left unencrypted, or in the clear for scanners to receive as the new taxpayer-funded 700 MHz digital radio system was being built. He did keep his promise, and routine police/sheriff dispatch channels on the new 700 MHz taxpayer-funded radio system remain in the clear. That means anyone with a Phase 2 digital scanner can pick up the new system, and routine dispatch calls. As for officer security and safety- Channel 2 has been strapped for encryption; meaning scanners CANNOT pick up the secondary channel across all departments on the new system. This is only true for Beachwood, STR, Pine Beach, Ocean Gate, Lakehurst, Bay Head/Mantoloking & Island Heights- or the departments that OCSN dispatches for. Lacey PD & Others who use the system have the option to encrypt one or ALL channels- Lacey took the weak way out.

It appears the switch for Lacey PD has been made recently as numerous residents have begun emailing OCSN wondering why they cannot hear the police on their scanners anymore. We clearly are AGAINST this action by the PD- and hope to inquire with them as they no longer believe in transparency. We will begin to OPRA and see who made this decision; but the department is likely happy to hide all the problems that occur in the town.

Lacey PD now joins the ranks of these police departments in Ocean County who are against transparency and hide behind a cloak of encrypted channels. They are hiding from the public & media by making ALL their channels encrypted so scanners can no longer pick them up. Shame on; Berkeley, Brick, Jackson, Lakewood, Lavallette, Long Beach Island, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, Point Pleasant Beach & Borough, Stafford, Toms River, & Ocean County Prosecutors Office.

IF you are upset by Chief DiBella’s decision to hide from the public via radio encryption- send him an email like we have. Remember, be polite but explain how citizens demand police transparency and do NOT want to be locked out from their town’s officers.

Chief Michael DiBella’s email is = [email protected]

*For those of you who say ALL police should be ENCRYPTED 100% ALL Channels- we wonder why you are following a scanner page? We would like those of you who are extreme bootlickers and think police maintaining ZERO transparency is acceptable- to please unfollow our media outlets.