In addition to hobbyists like Nordstrom, news organizations also monitor scanners to learn about emergencies and other critical incidents in real time — incidents like high-speed chases and armed standoffs.
Nordstrom, who lives in Moorhead, listens to the scanner to find out what is going on in his immediate area and the surrounding region, including nearby Minnesota counties.
"I know people who live in Otter Tail County, so I like to know what's going on for them. I also listen to it (the scanner) for weather stuff," Nordstrom said.
BCI memo coincides with N.D. changes
Over the past several years, total radio encryption has been adopted by a growing number of law enforcement agencies across the U.S., and agencies' reasons for doing so widely vary.