Police Scanner Apps Give the Inside Scoop on Emergency Responders

Want to know where all those sirens are heading? Download a police scanner app on your smartphone and step into the world of emergency workers, where calls run the gamut from innocuous to absurd to downright horrific.

“A scanner acts as a raw tap into current news. When a disaster or major crime is occurring, listeners quickly know which areas to avoid,” said Allen Wong, founder of 5-0 Radio, a scanner app capable of listening in on thousands of police, ambulance and fire agencies.

Traditional scanners usually cost hundreds of dollars and came with a thick instruction booklet. They took up precious counter space, had a dial for tuning channels and squawked out a stream of emergency notifications from a crackling speaker.

In contrast, smartphone apps may be downloaded quickly, often for less than $5. They come preloaded with an extensive library of pre-installed channels, and you can listen in private while the rest of the family enjoys their own entertainment.

Wong suggests downloading an app that helps you understand the often cryptic messages sent over emergency frequencies. They will help you breakdown emergency codes.

Even today, most US emergency response agencies rely on analog communications. Larger cities have embraced digital versions–allowing agencies to encrypt messages and thwart eavesdroppers.

Cell phone apps can’t break through encrypted channels, Wong said, though analog remains the preferred medium for law enforcement at the moment.

“The thing that’s stopping police stations from adapting digital/encrypted radios is cost,” Wong said. “It could cost millions of dollars to a large police force to switch to all digital.”

Wong offered the following advice for those considering downloading a scanner app:

• Context is king. Listening to police radio informs you as long as you speak the language. Look for an app with a breakdown of what police codes refer to.
• Locate the action. Some apps include a mapping system capable of tracking where the scanner traffic comes from. This benefits anyone looking to avoid traffic caused by a pursuit, fire or collision.
• Share and save. A well-made scanner app allows the user to record audio.