If you're the type to listen to the police scanner as a form of entertainment you'll have to find a new hobby. 

Beginning August 1st at 6:30 AM the Rockford Police Department will switch all radio communications to fully encrypted digital channels.

Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said that encrypting all police radio traffic will keep officers safer, keep criminals in the dark, and protect the privacy of citizens.

When I came here, it was one of the first things I wanted to address. Police radio communication being open is a big concern for me and for officer safety.

-Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea

The department's current information sharing on its Police Blotter will continue and can be found here. Citizens are also encouraged to sign up for Reverse 911, a public safety communication database of telephone numbers and associated address which can be used to deliver recorded emergency notifications to a selected set of telephone subscribers.

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