Over the past couple of weeks, I had the pleasure of meeting some of you in the group, and also other neighbors of this city. I have put together a small plan to help combat against the mail theft in Manteca. Given the popularity of information pertaining to the theft, and people inquiring on how they can help, or what they can do to further the movement, we've had almost 60 new members join the group on Facebook. My personal thanks to those who take the time to report what is going on in our city and post it on Facebook. We are in need of more signatures to send a clear message to city hall, that as citizens of this city, demand that the Manteca Police Department remove their encryption from their radio system. There have been multiple examples, and multiple instances of how knowing what is going on in our city, gives those who live within the opportunity to keep safe during times of crisis. Now recently with the Dallas shootings that killed 5 officers, people have asked me if I was able to hear the scanner online during that tragedy. The answer was yes, someone did have a scanner up online, and was streaming everything that was going on. If someone wants an example of officer safety and online scanners, this is it. Personally, if I were the scanner operator for Dallas, I would have taken that feed down, because that is an example of where officer safety would come into play. Now granted if the shooter had a scanner with him, a feed provider scanner would make no difference. If the Manteca Police Department, God Forbid, ever had a situation like that, it would be my responsibility to remove that feed to keep officers safe. I have been in similar critical situations during the riots in Oakland, and as the feed provider for Oakland Police and Fire, I was in contact with the Oakland Police Department basically saying if they feel the need that their officers are in danger, or if I hear anything over the scanner that may put the lives of officers or the general public in danger, I would turn off the feed. Its common sense, and as I've mentioned, If that were my feed and given the extreme situation the city of Dallas was under, I would have removed it. The point of knowing what is going on in your city at the risk of others is not something I will have on my feed. Now with that said, Manteca is hardly the ground zero point for such acts, and information should be readily available given the crimes that are occurring in the city, but I know there are opponents of this petition, and I wanted to address what I consider scanners and online safety. Its about common sense, and not wrapping or lumping all situations into a black or white, all or nothing category. I don't have to tell you, that there are plenty of areas where interpretation could mean the difference between exposing someones safety vs providing information that could be used to help others. As a feed provider, I've signed documents stating that if any situation would arise that would put officers at risk, that I would remove that feed online until the situation was cleared. Its common sense and its part of the policy that feed providers follow. With that said, if you wish to talk further about online scanning, I am hosting a toy drive for the Shriners Children's hospital on July 23rd in Manteca. I will be available to answer questions and only discuss with the public about how this group believes that information does provide safety, and being left to guess just leaves the general public at a disadvantage every single time when it comes to fighting crime. Thank you, and have a good night. -Joe