04/06/2025
Update/corrections: I would like to thank Jeff Hutchins for clearing things up about dispatch. I am surprised that it is not known who has this page, but is the same person who added this scanner feed in 2005. Apologies for any mislead information about the dispatch channels and realize there are lots of non dispatch.
I will get on board with the officer who said that people listen while they are driving and will go as far as adding criminals as things do change just as listeners may. Although listening doesn't mean there is ill intent even during a traffic stop. People look to know what is going on, which is also for their own safety. Officer safety is important, but if someone is looking to do something illegal, they are going to do it with or without a scanner. I could go on, but I would hope I wouldn't have to. I think I may have touched on the replies that a reply would be needed for.
As some of you know, as I have mentioned this before, the County has been in the process of upgrading their radio system over the past couple of years. They plan to eventually go to P25, which is a digital format that most scanners out there will no longer pick up except for a digital noise. There still may be a couple of years yet until it is fully used, but some groups like the police may happen sooner. Encryption is also likely to be used (clarified to be none), which will prevent even newer digital P25 scanners from receiving anything. Without encryption, the audio can be listened to with a P25 scanner, but not if it's encrypted. So the scanner feed on broadcastify.com would be no longer. Even though the name of the feed is named Lycoming County Public Safety, that was what Broadcastify named it, since it was a variety of public safety frequencies. This of course do not mean that it was sponsored by the County.
The County could sponsor a live feed and even have it with delayed audio so it wouldn't be live for the tons of criminals who listen, or should I say don't listen. Scanners listeners have helped more than they have hindered over the years. I have never heard of a scanner being used locally for a crime, and I also confirmed this with a retired Police Chief for the city and didn't agree with it not being able to be listened to either. He could see reasons to have SWAT or things that need to be private, but not the regular radio traffic and dispatches. I have been involved with public safety for over 30 years and a listener even longer, and I would agree as others agree, of course there are always some who disagree. What you as a listener choose to do as a taxpayer and how we live in a world that transparency is required, you have the right to express your concerns with your County and municipal governments, but the radio system is through the County and the City who currently and previously had their own radio system but will eventually be part of the County system. One person is not going to change this from happening, so if you want to continue listening, your input to these people will be required.
Lycoming County, PA Live Scanner Feed Williamsport Sun-Gazette NorthcentralPa PennLive.com
