That is a very important question and one I have been debating making a deep dive post into, so here goes:
TLDR: It depends on the interpretation of an FBI security policy.
The FBI maintains databases with law enforcement info (warrant status, criminal history, sexual offender status, etc...) which it provides access to by all law enforcement agencies in the country.
The way the FBI wants the data to be protected is detailed in a document called "CJIS Security Policy", latest version is available here: https://t.co/tBZl7TbA3v
If any agency does not adhere to this policy, they can lose access to the system. Although I cannot find any public record of it ever actually happening.
The document is 460 pages and can be interpreted in various ways, for example:
A. It refers only to the data stream from the FBI to the agencies.
There is a lot of evidence this was the actual purpose, as the document mentions a lot about networks, cloud, infrastructure, and mobile data terminals. In fact, the word "radio" appears 15 times in the document but usually is refering to a radio in a cell phone or other data device.
B. This info should not be sent in any way the public can intercept.
This seems to be the interpretation agencies (including BCSO) use to justify encryption. That any transmission spoken over the radio could contain this info and be in violation of the policy.
Even if interpretation B was correct, there are still some problems with the implentation, in my opinion:
1. Almost all agencies in the county (the only exceptions are the 3 small beachside communities) have a dedicated "teletype" channel that units switch to when running a license plate or investigating criminal history. Encrypting this channel only would still adhere to the policy.
2. All LEO units in the county have mobile data terminals which is where most of this data is queried for and displayed. They have never been viewable by the public even under the old system.
3. Even if you dismiss 1 and 2 as being wrong, the county, and all other agencies in the county, encrypted channels that do not have the possibility of containing any FBI data, such as fire dispatch, working fire, and even lifeguards.
It all comes down to the interpretation of the policy. If you have time to look at it, I would be interested in your interpretation.
Other jurisdictions around the country have found ways to adhere to the policy without encryption, I refuse to believe it cannot be done here as well.
A burglar who faced the death penalty for killing a Palm Bay retiree in his home will instead serve life in prison without parole under a plea agreement supported by the victim’s children.
JUSTIN GIAMBANCO, 34, pled no-contest and was sentenced June 3 for the first-degree murder of Paul Black, 68, and related charges of armed burglary, false imprisonment and grand theft of a firearm from the 2023 robbery. In exchange, Assistant State Attorney Samantha Barrett agreed not to seek the death penalty at trial.
As part of the same agreement, Giambanco also pled no-contest and was found guilty in five other open felony cases in Brevard County that included charges of burglary, aggravated assault, grand theft, written threats to kill, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
At the sentencing hearing in Viera, Black’s youngest child, Jennifer Ali, remembered her father as a supportive friend, engineer, musician, and Air Force veteran who “wanted to visit places he hadn’t been to and go to more of his grandchildren’s birthday parties.”
Ali said her family agreed to the plea agreement not out of pity or aversion to the death penalty, but to “end the tragedy” and avoid potentially years more in court with Giambanco.
“You took a lot from my family just by making one selfish decision -- you had no right to take life,” Ali told Giambanco in her victim-impact statement. “You’ll have a long life ahead of you in a small prison cell, and I urge you to use that time to seek forgiveness, repent and build a close relationship with God.”
One of Black’s sons called Palm Bay Police to the victim’s house on NE Palm Drive on April 20, 2023. During a visit to check on his father, the son found Black lying in his bedroom doorway, bound and disfigured. A bloody kitchen knife lay nearby. Black died of multiple blunt-force wounds, punctures and cuts that included a large laceration to his neck, the medical examiner found.
Beneath Black’s body, Palm Bay investigators found an Apple iPhone SE, which they assumed belonged to the victim. Instead, a digital forensic examination of the phone and its contents revealed it belonged to Giambanco, who had just been arrested by Melbourne Police for another burglary.
Inside Giambanco’s Honda sedan, police found prescription bottles belonging to Black along with a handgun, camera, computer equipment, and passports stolen from the victim’s home. In the back seat, a crime scene investigator found a pair of sneakers with a zig-zag pattern on the soles and traces of blood on them. The soles matched a bloody footprint at the murder scene, and the blood later was a match to Black’s.
Giambanco had a long record of local arrests for theft, violence and drug possession. He was free from jail on bond from a past offense when he killed and robbed Black.
The State Attorney’s Office filed notice in June 2023 that it intended to seek the death penalty.
#Brevardcounty #PalmBay #Crime #Lawenforcement
Goodmorning. I-95 southbound from 528 to Saint John's Parkway is shut down after a fatal multi vehicle crash this will be shut down for quite a long time. @ScannerBrevard.
On Tuesday afternoon, VSO responded to assist the Port Orange Police Department on a carjacking call.
The victim reported that while she was getting her nails done at 1665 Dunlawton Ave., an unknown suspect took her purse and her keys, pointed something at her through his sweatshirt, and stole her vehicle, a black 2025 Buick Enclave. It was soon learned the suspect used the victim's credit card to buy beer at a 7-Eleven store.
A Port Orange officer searching the area spotted the vehicle driving recklessly on Taylor Road with its rear hatch open. VSO Lt. Hughes also spotted it speeding westbound and joined in the pursuit. New Smyrna Beach PD also responded to assist.
The VSO Communications Center relayed that OnStar was monitoring the vehicle and reported the driver was claiming he was armed with an AR-15 that he would use against law enforcement. OnStar also advised they could slow the vehicle if authorized by law enforcement, which was immediately granted and effectuated on Tomoka Farms Road just before International Speedway Boulevard.
The vehicle slowed to a stop and Lt. Hughes pinned his truck against it. Lt. Hughes and @SheriffChitwood approached and ordered the driver out, then removed him when he refused. He was drinking a beer when he was pulled from the driver's seat.
Robert Tokarz, 44, is charged with carjacking, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, fleeing at high speed, leaving the scene of a crash, and driving with a revoked license. He was also arrested on a Virginia warrant for violating his probation for robbery.
Around 12:40 p.m. today (Monday, June 1), a pickup traveling eastbound on Dunlawton Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores struck a beach ramp toll booth, which was occupied by a toll attendant.
After striking the toll booth, the truck continued onto the beach and into the ocean.
Despite rescue efforts on scene, the toll attendant did not survive her injuries.
The driver has been detained as a thorough crash investigation is conducted. Additional information from that investigation will be provided as it becomes available.
The Dunlawton beach access ramp will remain closed until further notice.
The Sheriff's Office sends sincere condolences to the victim's family, friends and coworkers following this tragic loss of life.