Vicksburg Police return to public radio traffic

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Police Department will once again broadcast police radio traffic on a public channel. The department confirmed the return to the practice earlier with the Vicksburg Daily News.

The prior administration had shut off radio traffic for “officer safety.” The decision came after a series of crime reports that made the administrators of the city and the police department look ineffective against crime. There was no noticeable impact on officer safety or crime after the radios were silenced. There was an erosion in public trust of the police department and the city government.

Public radio traffic is expected to return in the next 30 days. Per protocol, private information such as social security numbers and other sensitive information will still be transmitted via a secure channel. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office transmits some of its traffic on public airwaves, but sensitive information or undercover operations are done on secure channels and cell phones. The city is expected to follow the same pattern.