CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia will all transition their public safety radio communications systems to encryption beginning next Monday, according to a joint release from all three. The change means popular apps that scan radio frequencies for police news won’t be able to pick up the communications.

“Encryption strengthens our ability to protect sensitive information while maintaining secure and reliable communications for first responders across our region,” CUA Emergency Communications Center Executive Director Lily Gregg said in a statement. “The decision follows extensive coordination among regional public safety partners and reflects a growing trend among agencies nationwide.”

The move will affect all radio communication used by law enforcement and fire rescue agencies operating through the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emerrgency Communications Center.

The release said the transition aims to “to protect sensitive information, enhance first responder safety, and align with evolving public safety communications standards.”

It also highlighted how anyone could currently listen to public safety radio and potentially hear information about active incidents, sensitive details regarding victims and witnesses, and the movement of officers.

While radio traffic will be unavailable, how community member request emergency services as well as emergency alerts are not expected to change. CUA Emergency Communications Center’s crime mapping tool will also be unaffected.