Day-To-Day Dispatch Traffic Will No Longer Be Publicly Accessible: Grundy County Reveals Why

(The following press release came from Grundy County Sheriff's Office deputy chief Kevin Bogard.)

MORRIS, IL — The Grundy County Emergency Telephone System Board, in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, is implementing two new secure police radio channels on the State of Illinois StarCom21 radio system. These channels will be used as the primary dispatch channels for all police departments in Grundy County beginning December 1.

To protect our officers and ensure the safety of the public, these talkgroups will operate with advanced encryption technology. This means they will not be available on scanner applications or online streaming services.

The decision to encrypt police radio communications is based on a simple priority: officer and community safety. Open radio traffic can be misused by those wishing to evade law enforcement or interfere with emergency response. By encrypting communications, we reduce that risk while still ensuring that law enforcement and fire districts within Grundy County can communicate securely during emergencies.

We remain committed to balancing public transparency with the need to protect officers and safeguard critical operations. While day-to-day dispatch traffic will no longer be publicly accessible, we will continue to provide timely updates and information through press releases, social media, and direct communications with our community partners.

Again, the safety of our residents and first responders is at the heart of this change.