Police Scanner?

**ProfessorFrink** · 05-13-04 02:00 PM

I live in Minnesota, and I was wondering, is it legal to have a Police Scanner?

Because I have one, and I do not have it to spy on other's, I use it to just basically learn how police/fire talks on the radio, and for weather forcasts.

I have an interesting story which I thank god I had a scanner.

One day I heard my local fire dept go out to a call (their 2 blocks away) and then I turned on my scanner and they said they had a roll over on highway (##) and then they said 4 teens were hurt. Then later I found out that the four teens were my best friends, and then the local news showed pictures of the truck all ruined, and they said that there may not of been alcohol involved (I KNOW THERE WASN'T any alcohol involved since I known them all my lifes) But their all fine now.

So please give me you're professional thoughts.

**Zanos** · 05-13-04 02:02 PM

Hmmm...I thought you could have them, but im not posative. Thought they were everywhere. And i like listening also. Get an LEO to respond

**sethg428** · 05-13-04 02:18 PM

I know in most states its leagle to have a police scanner in your home. The second you take it into a moving veicle it becomes illeagle.

**Toeknee112** · 05-13-04 02:53 PM

I thought an "ill eagle" was a sick bird? :D

**Seand442** · 05-13-04 02:54 PM

Legal for you to listen. Illegal for you to transmit. So if all you are doing is getting the scoop on whats going on, more power to you. If you rig it so you can transmit and talk over the radio, thats bad, very very bad.

**txinvestigator1** · 05-13-04 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Toeknee112

I thought an "ill eagle" was a sick bird? :D

I am LMAO!

**Gotrek** · 05-13-04 03:12 PM

I can't speak for Minnesota so I probably shouldn't speak at all but in case someone from my area reads this.

In Manitoba/Canada it is legal to own a scanner and to scan whatever band you wish including cellular 900mhz, trunked channels etc. however you may not discuss with anyone what you have heard unless they were part of the conversation. Same for recording what you hear, you are only allowed to record a conversation if one party on the conversation is aware they are being recorded.

I'm not an officer either this is just information I've gathered when I asked the same question to my local law enforcement.

So basically in my province you telling us about hearing about the accident would be illegal. You listening to it would not.

Jynkxxie · 05-13-04 03:13 PM

Oh I wish they would ban them all!

**md123** · 05-13-04 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jynkxxie

Oh I wish they would ban them all!

The scanners or the bad spellers?

**Gotrek** · 05-13-04 03:16 PM

If it's the bad spelling I'm sorry I am a bad speller...
And if it's people like me who are not lawmen answering quesions on this forum I'm sorry as well.

All in all I'm sorry....

Jynkxxie · 05-13-04 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by md123

The scanners or the bad spellers?

The Scanners. Gotrek my response was not directed towards you. I just can't stand scanners...I hear them everyday and I can't understand for the life of me how some people like to listen to them.

**Gotrek** · 05-13-04 03:18 PM

Darn and I just spellchecked my post

Can I know why you want them banned?

EDIT: answered above.... Ignore this post

Re-Edit Before mine broke like 10 years ago I like listening to it as My brother worked for the local EMS and I don't know I was always fascinated by his work, I'm the only one in my family not involved in the medical field. I also used my as a second baby-monitor device instead of shelling out another 50$ for one. Plus it was given to me to repair (I work in electronics/computers) and the person didn't want it back.

**wpzh973** · 05-13-04 03:25 PM

In Minneasota u need a permit from the BCI to carry a scanner in any motor vehicle, however anyone can own a scanner and use it in their home
EXEMPSTIONS
IF you are a licensed ham radio operator u do NOT need a permit from the BCI to use a scanner in your vehicle
also the city of ST Paul has its own law on scanners in motor vehicles
I personally think anyone has the right to monitor the Police,Fire, EMS frequencys
except for people who are using them for the wrong reason eg, Drug dealers, theives,etc
I mean really, the tax payers are the ones who bought the radio systems for the city police, fire ems, county sheriff and state HP and any other state or government agency, but thats just my 2 cents

Thanks
Justin WPZH973
Justin.Cremer@us.army.mil

Jynkxxie · 05-13-04 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Gotrek

Darn and I just spellchecked my post

Can I know why you want them banned?

EDIT: answered above.... Ignore this post

I happen to like rap music, but you know when you are going trying to relax and then all of the sudden some freak with speakers so loud the metal on the body of the car is rattleing, and it is (sp) outrageously LOUD and Annyoing? Well that is how I feel everytime I hear a scanner! It is just a pet peeve I have. I hate it when some officers get on there and use it like it is their cell phone and talk and talk and talk!!! All the while I have to wait for them to shut up so that I can talk. (Don't get me wrong...I am not talking about important stuff, it is just some of the stuff I hear can be saved for the MDT (sp)!) And turning the volume down doesn't help either...They, as if knowingly, just talk LOUDER! All I can compare it to is the sound that some people get irritated with...which is loud exhaust, someone beeping their horn for someone to come out of the house, or someone driving a damn rock stars stage set up for some concert!!! I just don't understand. Someone mentioned the right to be able to know what government is doing...Fine I guess...but I feel a little offended when others know what I am doing. And seeing as how I have picked up a few cell conversations before...I don't know..If you can't use the info why allow it to be heard. Eh?

**Toeknee112** · 05-13-04 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Jynkxxie

I happen to like rap music, but you know when you are going trying to relax and then all of the sudden some freak with speakers so loud the metal on the body of the car is rattleing, and it is (sp) outrageously LOUD and Annyoing? Well that is how I feel everytime I hear a scanner! It is just a pet peeve I have. I hate it when some officers get on there and use it like it is their cell phone and talk and talk and talk!!! All the while I have to wait for them to shut up so that I can talk. (Don't get me wrong...I am not talking about important stuff, it is just some of the stuff I hear can be saved for the MDT (sp)!) And turning the volume down doesn't help either...They, as if knowingly, just talk LOUDER! All I can compare it to is the sound that some people get irritated with...which is loud exhaust, someone beeping their horn for someone to come out of the house, or someone driving a damn rock stars stage set up for some concert!!! I just don't understand.

Huh? Where are you hearing the scanner? At work? I'm confused. You mention "I hate it when some officers get on there and use it like it is their cell phone and talk and talk and talk!!! All the while I have to wait for them to shut up so that I can talk." Do you mean talking on the police radio? Are you a dispatcher? I think I need another pot of coffee! :D

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