SMART PHONE apps are allowing Tasmanians to listen in on sensitive police radio communications.
The applications, which cost $2 and are also available for free, allow listenters to evesdrop as police discuss operational matters including the names and addresses of those involved in domestic disputes and the names of people with mental illnesses.
Tasmanians using smart phones can listen to sensitive police communications simply by buying a $2 police scanner application online ? or downloading the free versions.
Day-to-day operations of uniformed police can be heard by the public because the force uses outdated communciation technology.
Hobart resident Lucy, who did not wish to be identified, complained to police this week after discovering her adult son and his friends listening to sensitive police radio conversations in her living room.
"I was absolutely outraged to hear people's names, drivers' licenses, ages, all this personal information being discussed and made accessible to anyone tuned in," she said.
The health industry worker said what most concerned her was hearing police being asked to deal with people suffering from mental health issues ? and she recognised their names.
"I couldn't believe it," she said.
"In the short time I was listening I heard police being sent to domestics, the addresses, the names. how can these applications, which are so readily available, be legal?"
The most sensitive discussions between police cannot be heard because detectives use a digital encrypted channel.
But the Police Association says the force had to return to the analogue radio channels several years ago because of ongoing problems with the digital upgrade.
The union says socially-based technology has overtaken police technology in Tasmania.
It says it is fed up waiting for the State Government to deliver on its promise to iron out those problems in the digital network that have forced police to rely on out-dated analogue channels.
The scanner applications for iPhones and Android handsets can be downloaded in seconds from Apple iTunes or Android Market.
Several versions provide access to the Hobart and Southern Tasmanian police radio network.
It is legal to listen to police communications however listeners could find themselves in trouble if they passed on private information or provide tip-offs to others.
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Phil Wilkinson says the applications are the latest versions of technology allowing "some police communications" to be heard.
He emphasised digital transmissions were also used by Tasmania Police, with the organisation saying police scanners had been used by members of the public for decades.
Police Association president Randolph Wierenga said the potential for criminals to be advised of police movements was a major worry for officers.
He said they were increasingly unhappy with "constant deadline extensions" for the return to digital radio communications.
"the Association is very concerned, and we have been concerned for some time.
"It's obviously time for the Government to deliver on its promise to fix this problem."
In the meantime mr Wilkinson advised parents monitor their children's phone usage "as best they could" in relation to "all internet-based and social media technologies".
The sensitive information available to listeners:
where police are going and why.
Licence numbers, names, vehicle details.
Addresses where domestics are taking place and the names of those involved.
Details of incidents involving people with mental health issues ? and their names/addresses.
A small sample of yesterday's comms:
A domestic incident where one man threatened/possibly injured another woman with a knife, with a second woman. refusing to help police.
Police responding to reports of a two-year-old boy wandering down the Brooker Hwy alone.
A pilot radioing the Launceston Airport control tower.
Hooning incidents including names and licence numbers.
Comments on all stories must now contain your full name (first name and surname) and suburb
This happens if you are using radio scan to provide you with pleasure. There's enough time to get your message out to nitpickers. I've been attempting to pull that together. I should instead get back to my central mission. Most moonbats enjoy radio scanners every now and then. It is mind rocking and nothing? The approval process is really easy. This isn't my best work but here are my very thoughtful ideas when it is linked to ham radio parts. We might want to work within that environment. This is a way to get the point across in reference to defining it with this. This by itself wasn't really attractive to me yet boy, I wish I could do this and still receive a ham radio sale.
Source: http://www.wa8pyr.net/police-scanner-app-outrage/
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