For years, residents of McCracken County have relied on police scanner communications to stay aware of what’s happening in our community.

From major accidents and road closures to active situations in neighborhoods, this access has helped people make informed decisions to protect themselves and their families. It has also created a sense of connection and transparency between the public and local law enforcement.

Recently, that access has been lost due to the full encryption of police radio communications.

We understand and support the need for officer safety. Certain information should absolutely remain protected—especially during sensitive or tactical operations. However, the complete encryption of all communications removes a valuable layer of awareness that our community has depended on for years.

This petition is not about opposing law enforcement. It is about finding a balanced solution that supports both officer safety and public transparency.

We are asking the McCracken County Fiscal Court to:

Review the current policy regarding police radio encryption
Consider implementing partial encryption for sensitive communications only
Explore options such as a delayed public broadcast of general dispatch traffic
Open the door for community input and discussion on this issue
Other communities have successfully found ways to protect officers while still keeping the public informed. McCracken County can do the same.

Transparency builds trust. Communication strengthens communities.

If you believe in keeping our community informed while supporting those who serve it, we ask you to sign and share this petition.

Brought forward by members of the Paducah community who believe awareness and safety go hand in hand.