Live Incident Video Feed: Streaming Live On location. (when available) also available on Facebook.
Florida keys live police scanner on Facebook

The Florida Keys, a string of idyllic islands, can also be a hub of activity. If you’re vacationing there or simply curious about local happenings, a police scanner can be a fascinating way to stay informed. Here’s what you need to know:

Listening In:

Traditionally, police scanners were dedicated radio devices that picked up frequencies used by law enforcement. Today, there are two main options:

• Scanner Apps: These smartphone apps allow you to listen to live audio feeds from police scanners around the world, including the Florida Keys. Search for “police scanner” apps in your app store. Be aware that some may require a subscription.
• Broadcasting Websites: Websites like Broadcastify.com offer free live streams of scanner audio from various locations. Search for “Florida Keys police scanner” to find a relevant feed.

What You Might Hear:

• Dispatch Calls: These are communications between dispatchers and officers on patrol. They might involve anything from traffic stops to medical emergencies.
• Unit-to-Unit Communication: Officers in the field may communicate directly with each other, providing insights into ongoing situations.

Understanding the Lingo:

Police scanners use coded language (10-codes) for brevity and clarity. A quick online search for “police scanner codes” will provide a reference guide.

Legality:

In the United States, it’s perfectly legal to listen to police scanners. However, some transmissions might be related to ongoing investigations, so use your discretion and avoid sharing anything that could compromise public safety.

Alternatives:

While scanners offer a real-time glimpse into police activity, there are alternatives:

• Local News: News websites and radio stations often report on local incidents, albeit with a time delay.
• Police Department Websites: Some police departments, like the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, offer a feed of “Active Calls” on their websites, providing a basic overview of ongoing situations https://www.keysso.net/calls.

Remember, a police scanner is a window into a world often unseen by tourists. Listen responsibly and enjoy the unique perspective it offers!

History of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

Introduction

The Office of Sheriff is one of the oldest offices known to the common law system. Historians generally agree the origin of the first sheriff’s office was 1,000 years ago, during the Norman Conquest of England. Some date it back even farther and profess that the origins of the office of Sheriff actually stems from the Roman Council and the Earl or Count of that council was the prototype for the modern-day sheriff.

Historians do, however, agree the origin of the word “sheriff” evolved from two Saxon words: “Scyre”, the Saxon word for county and the word “Reve” the Saxon word for keeper. The pronunciation of the two words evolved into the modern word “sheriff”, signifying county-keeper.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was established in 1823 as the primary law enforcement agency in the Florida Keys.

Past Monroe County Sheriff’s Include:

C.F. Dupont 1889 – 1893	Francis Knight 1893 – 1901 1905 – 1909	Richard Hicks 1901 – 1905	Clements Jaycocks 1909 – 1917	Cleveland Niles 1926 – 1933
Karl Thompson 1933 – 1941	Berlin Sawyer 1941 – 1953	Jack Spottswood 1953 – 1963	Henry Haskins 1963 – 1965	Reace Thompson 1965 – 1969
Bobby Brown 1969 – 1977	William Freeman 1977 – 1989	J. Allison DeFoor 1989 – 1990	Richard Roth 1990 – 2009	Robert Peryam 2009 – 2013
		Rick Ramsay 2013 – Present

Trauma Star Air Ambulance

Trauma Star has bases in Marathon and Key West, both staffed around the clock to be ready for launch at a moment’s notice. Trauma Star’s primary mission is to provide emergency helicopter transportation for individuals who are critically injured either by natural causes such as heart attacks or stroke, or by other causes such as a vehicle crash or criminal action.

The service is a joint effort of Monroe County Fire Rescue and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

Trauma Star is the only air ambulance service in Monroe County. Since the program began in 2001, Trauma Star has transported more than 5,000 patients to critical care not available in the Keys. 

Safe, rapid air transport is critical in the “Golden Hour,” the 60-minute window when the human body can compensate for injury. After that, the chances for recovery diminish significantly.

For an island chain that is isolated from the mainland by distance and a busy single highway, Trauma Star saves critical minutes for patients to receive life-saving interventions. These precious minutes saved decrease the loss of heart and brain tissue, which reduces or eliminates permanent disabilities.

Crew

Monroe County Trauma Star is committed to providing the highest quality air ambulance transport care. Each helicopter can transport up to two critically injured or ill patients at a time. Trauma Star is staffed with highly-trained flight nurses, flight Firefighter/Paramedics, and helicopter pilots. Hiring requirements exceed industry standards and Trauma Star’s safety record is exemplary.

Response

Trauma Star’s response is initiated through the emergency 911 system, and the helicopter often times will land at the accident scene to provide the quickest response to qualified medical facilities in South Florida.

No Out-of-Pocket Costs for Monroe County Residents

There are no out-of-pocket costs for County residents who use the life-saving service. In the past, private air ambulances in the Keys have charged County residents tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for transport to mainland hospitals.

View the application form for the resident fee waiver (PDF). If you qualify for the resident fee waiver, Monroe County will continue to seek reimbursement from any private insurance companies, but any remaining unpaid fees will be waived.

Trauma Star Operates in the Black

Trauma Star is operating in the black despite no out-of-pocket costs for County Residents. The program’s operational cost was $6.6 million for Fiscal Year 2018. With an aggressive in-house collection program, Trauma Star has collected $7.9 million. In FY 2017, Trauma Star also operated in the black with $5.6 million in revenues and $4.7 million in operation costs.