I used to be when I was younger, but got out of it, as other hobbies nudged it over. Was into CB's as well. I was indeed very exciting. Though it's also an insight, to how stupid people are, in your hometown. I got discouraged as to the level of stupidity in my city lol.
I am all for, the people that pay your salaries, being able to have access, to the freqs they paid for.... I think the people should be able to monitor the police... why not? You work for us, not the other way around.
And you're not HONESTLY going to try and make us think, that if you knew that a specific residence has a police scanner, that you're going to actually do something different, than you normally do, do you? You mean to tell me, that you utilize less situational awareness, and less tactics and strategy, if you are not sure the residence has a scanner? How do you know they DON'T have one? Do you actually drop the defensive mindset, and get lax as often as possible, when you think you can get away with it? Sounds dangerous to me.
There's no way, you can actually know, if one has a scanner. So therefore, you should always assume they do, and adjust the tactics accordingly. Do you not do this, when performing a roadside stop? Oh, ok then. So you only assume they're dangerous, only on half your operations, and not the other? I'm confused.
Police should aways assume the worst, when entering into any potentially tactical situation. I constantly see that they don't, every single night, on 'Cops', or 'The craziest police chases' or whatnot. And everytime, it's the cop getting messed up. (unfortuately)
I am in no way anti cop, or anti law. I am in fact VERY pro cop, and support them whenever, and however I can. I love cops in fact. They willingly put their lives on the line for us, each and every day. I just don't agree with some of their outlooks, every once and a while. I just wish they could get more funding, and more training. That would benefit them, and the citizens as well.
Scanners, in no way, make the bad guys more apt to wanna bring harm on police officers. If they want to ambush you, they're going to do it, scanner or not. Period. It's been happening wayyyyy before scanners were out, and it will continue to happen, after your freqs go totally secure too.
What's a scanner going to do, let the bad guys know the cops knocking on the door? Too late, the "Police, open up!!!!!" already did. All a bad guy has to do, to hurt a cop, is wait for the knock, then shoot thru the door with a shotgun slug. Or, just sit on an FN 5.7, wait for them to come in, and shoot. No scanner need.
Scanners are our right, and banning them is a huge rights violation. Now, going to your own secure freqs, is another story. Wanting to keep your business private, is also your right. (and not completely a bad idea) But until you go to a secure freq, people should have scanners. There's nothing wrong with wanting to know what your PUBLIC SERVANTS are doing.
(and before you get all crazy on my ass, talkin' about "you don't know what it's like!" let me tell you, that I patrolled baghdad for a year, responding to a lot of 'calls', doing bolo's and the whole deal. I know what it's like, coming up to a situation, where you don't know if they're armed or not. Or if this nice and calm situation, can potentially get out hand very quickly. In no way, did we ever drop our guard, just because we thought it may be a 'lesser' type of call. It was a hundred percent, or none at all. We maintained the tactical fundamentals each and every time. scanner or no scanner."
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. Didn't say it would not be possible. People will always find a way but doubtful you'll be able to do it from Radio Shack where most of the scum bag Drug dealers go for them.
KABOOOOOOOOOOOM
