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LAPORTE — This city has been declared a "dead zone" for picking up the new digital radio frequencies on many of the expensive police scanners listening enthusiasts rushed out to buy.

There appears to be no quick solution for the many people angry and frustrated over spending $300 or more for the required technology in addition to the cost of having them programmed by professionals.

Larry Butcher, director of the LaPorte County Emergency Management Agency, said the new $7.5 million 800 megahertz system was put in for the safety of all emergency responders in the county, and it’s working perfectly for them to communicate.

He’s been bombarded with complaints but doesn’t see the urgency to spend what could be a large sum of money to see if the new system is to blame and take corrective measures just for the listening pleasure of private citizens who use scanners.

Butcher said it’s probably a programming error that’s causing scanners not to work within the city limits.