Ever wonder what is happening when you see police or other activity in your neighborhood? Or where you work? There is a lack of local news in Amherst, MA. And certainly the police blotter leaves out a LOT of information and is not real-time.

AmherstScanner transcribes real-time, publicly-available radio communication data that is gathered via multiple public and published frequencies and puts it in writing so that the citizens of Amherst and surrounding areas (Hadley, Belchertown, Sunderland, Pelham, South Hadley) can keep up with what is happening in town…in near real-time. It is essentially the Amherst Police Scanner, Amherst Fire Department Scanner, and, for those who really want to know, the Amherst Department of Public Works Scanner (pothole, anyone?).  AI does the transcription, so sometimes it is not accurate and even laughable.

Data is published about 15 minutes after transmission of original voice data.

Readers can comment on data and you can also contact us with any questions or suggestions for the site.

We charge a small monthly fee to simply offset the cost of electricity.

Disclaimer: Transcriptions are certainly not 100% accurate.

Hot off the air

___ 20 dispatch. Go ahead, 20. Written warning issued to RO, clear. Received. ___ 20 dispatched. 303. Stop on South Pleasant. By the Common School, MassBC 826. Pass Sierra and Mike too. All set. Received. ___ 20 Dispatch Go ahead 20 35 issue to Operator Sierra 23784325 Clear

Date picker

July 2025
S M T W T F S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

Abbreviations

  1. RP = Reporting Party
  2. BOLO = Be On the LookOut
  3. CAD = Computer-Aided Dispatch