Berkeley’s police communication system is undergoing a significant transformation that could impact how residents track local public safety information. The Berkeley Police Department has officially switched to encrypted radio channels, simultaneously launching an online call log with a 10-minute delay.

This change comes after a controversial City Council vote and aligns with a California Department of Justice directive aimed at protecting personal identifying information of crime victims. The new digital call log provides basic incident details, including crime type, priority level, date, time, and general location, while maintaining a slight information buffer.

Police Chief Jennifer Louis argues the encryption is necessary for multiple reasons. She highlighted potential security risks of publicly accessible broadcasts, suggesting criminals could exploit open channels to plan or interfere with police operations. Additionally, the move brings Berkeley in line with surrounding Alameda and Contra Costa county law enforcement agencies.

The online log serves as a compromise for media, police accountability advocates, and residents who previously relied on live broadcasts for real-time public safety updates. Each incident will receive a unique identifying number, though the log includes a disclaimer that initial call descriptions might not precisely match the actual responding officers’ findings.

Interestingly, this isn’t unprecedented. The nearby Palo Alto Police Department previously experimented with radio communication encryption, ultimately reverting to public broadcasts after technological improvements. Berkeley, however, claims insufficient communication staffing makes such channel-switching challenging.

While some community members express concerns about reduced transparency, the department maintains this change protects both victim privacy and officer safety. The new system represents a delicate balance between public information access and operational security in modern policing.

As digital communication technologies evolve, citizens can now track local incidents through the department’s new online platform, marking a significant shift in how community safety information is shared.