Delaying access to Chicago police radio calls threatens public safety, media coalition says

Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks at a press conference at the Office of Emergency Management and Communications earlier this year. The city is moving forward with a plan to limit public and media access to emergency communications. (Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times)

Listening to Chicago police communications for instant reports of crimes and emergencies has long been basic news gathering for the city’s media and an informative pastime for citizens. But that practice is changing dramatically as the city encrypts more radio channels, and media outlets are speaking out against the plan.

A coalition of news organizations, including the Sun-Times, affiliate Chicago Public Media and the Chicago Tribune, oppose the city’s policy that gives reporters and the public access to encrypted channels only after a 30-minute delay. The news outlets argue the delay hurts their ability to provide timely information.