Agency information
Working with
public safety agencies
Better information. Fewer rumors. A better-informed community.
Michiana Scanner Chatter is an independent, ad-free digital newsroom covering breaking news, public safety, severe weather, community hazards, and official agency information across Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.
IndependentWe are an independent newsroom.
Ad-freePublic safety information, not sponsored content.
Public safety focusedDelivering what matters to our community.
Why communication matters
People are already looking for answers.
When reliable information is unavailable, rumors and speculation can quickly fill the gap. Direct communication with agencies allows preliminary information to be replaced with verified facts as those facts become available.
- Why roads are closed
- What is happening nearby
- Where smoke is coming from
- What they need to do
- During emergencies
- And much more
How information flows at MSC
Scanner traffic is only one source.
Accuracy over speed. Being responsible is more important than being first.
#ScannerTrafficPreliminary Information
Information heard through emergency radio communications.
- May be preliminary
- May evolve
- May change
- Clearly identified as scanner traffic
#OfficialPostConfirmed Information
Information confirmed through an authoritative source.
- Agency releases
- Public Information Officers
- Official statements
- Court documents and public records
☆ Agencies always have the final, official word on what their agency is reporting.
What we cover
- Road closures
- Structure fires
- Hazmat incidents
- Severe weather
- Significant police incidents
- Community hazards
- Missing-person information
- Public safety alerts
- Power outages
- Official agency releases
- Disaster information
- And more in the public’s interest
What we do not publish
- Medical calls or patient information
- Exact private residential addresses
- Routine traffic stops
- Sensitive tactical information
- Juvenile information
- Information that could endanger responders
- Graphic or disturbing images
- Information that could interfere with active investigations
ⓘ Block-level locations may be used when an incident is otherwise appropriate to publish. Exact addresses may be used for known public businesses or other publicly listed locations when appropriate.
During major incidents
During high-stress events, MSC prioritizes verified life-safety information that helps the public understand what is happening and what actions may be necessary.
Severe WeatherHazardous
Material IncidentsLarge Structure
FiresOfficer-Involved
IncidentsAmber AlertsMass-Casualty
Events
And other significant community emergencies
Working with MSC
What agencies can send us.
Direct communication is especially valuable when preliminary information circulating publicly is incomplete or incorrect.
What agencies gain
A direct path to the public.
Rapid Local DistributionReach an audience already following local public safety, breaking news, weather, and community information.
Accurate RepresentationOfficial information is clearly distinguished from scanner traffic.
Public-Safety-Focused AudienceInformation reaches people actively seeking updates about incidents, hazards, weather, and more.
Ad-Free PlatformPublic safety information is not paired with incident sponsors.
A Direct Way to Correct MisinformationGet accurate, official information in the same place rumors may be spreading.
Send official information to MSC.
Press releases, official statements, photographs approved for release, public-safety alerts, corrections, and other public information are welcome.