Police scanners will no longer pick up chatter in Saugeen Shores.
Saugeen Shores Police Chief Dan Rivett says with the old system, anyone with a private scanner could monitor police activity.
Rivett says this brought up a couple of problems he’s hoping to eliminate.
First and foremost, he says it’s about officer safety.
But he says freedom of information has become a hot topic as well.
Rivett says there have been many complaints from drivers who have been pulled over.
He says confidential information is given by dispatch to the officer, and often people with scanners pick it up.
When it comes to criminal investigations, Rivett says the new radio system will help them immensly, especially during drug busts.
He says when they are about to execute a search warrant, many drug dealers have scanners and know exactly when officers will be busting them.
The change took effect Thursday night.
