Kerr County's $7 million Motorola radio system upgrade failed during a flood, with coverage gaps and compatibility issues hampering emergency response, raising concerns about Motorola's market dominance and procurement practices.
The NYPD is investing $390 million in a new radio system that will encrypt officers' communications, ending the long-standing practice of allowing the public and the press to listen to police dispatches. The move aims to prevent criminals from using police radios against law enforcement, but critics argue that it will hinder police accountability. News reporters and photojournalists rely on police radios to cover breaking news and hold officers accountable. The NYPD claims that the new system will enhance transparency, but concerns remain about the loss of public access to crucial information.