Honolulu News Outlets Poised to Regain Access to Police Communications
HONOLULU, HI – The Honolulu city Council on Wednesday passed Bill 46, a measure that will require the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) to establish a plan for the “timely” release of information, perhaps restoring access to previously encrypted radio communications. The bill now heads to the mayor for signature.
Prior to 2022, first responders’ radio frequencies were publicly accessible, but the city afterward encrypted them. Bill 46 aims to partially reverse that decision, citing the importance of public access to emergency-related information for community safety.
The legislation stipulates that while releasing information, HPD must balance openness with the need to protect confidentiality, privacy laws, ongoing investigations, and security. Local news organizations have actively supported the bill, advocating for increased access to police communications.
however, the bill’s passage has sparked concern that community reporting efforts via social media may be disadvantaged. Waikīkī resident John Deutzman argued during the council meeting that popular social media accounts frequently enough reach larger audiences than customary news stations and should also have access to the pre-screened information.
“This is public information… It should be available to the public, not just select media and one newspaper,” Deutzman stated.
The Instagram account HHHNEWZ, which boasts 280,000 followers, expressed similar concerns in a post following the bill’s passage, stating that autonomous journalists and community reporters were “officially cut out of real time access” and calling for increased community collaboration.
The bill mandates that the city’s police chief develop internal procedures to facilitate the timely release of information to the public. Proponents believe this will allow both news organizations and the public to stay better informed about crimes and emergencies as thay unfold.
