Police Scanners, Listen Live Online And Follow Along With These Common 10 Codes

One of my biggest memories of childhood is sitting around with my cousin Scott listening to all of the police calls come over the scanner. Fast forward to today. He's a police officer and I'm a DJ. It's funny how things turn out. Listening in to first responder conversations is just as easy today as it was back then.

There are places online and even on your phone where you can go to catch live broadcasts of police, fire departments, and more. While it's fun to listen to, it can be confusing as communication codes are often used to relay messages. These are called 10 codes.

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According to eInvestigator, 10 codes have been around since the Second World War. The first police 10 codes were published in 1940 and they're still used in some form today. Since it's a lot easier to follow along once you have a good idea of what the codes mean, below you'll find a list of the more commonly used ones. It's important to note that these codes may vary, especially between agencies such as Abilene Police, Fire, and EMS.

LOOK: POLICE SCANNERS, HERE'S HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG USING THESE COMMON 10 CODES

We're taking a look at common police 10 codes according to eInvestigator.

10-1 = Poor reception
10-2 = Good reception
10-3 = Stop transmitting
10-4 = Message received, affirmative, OK
10-5 = Relay this information to (name of a person, officer, etc.)
10-6 = Officer is busy
10-7 = Out of service, unavailable
10-8 = In-service
10-9 = Please repeat
10-10 = Negative (no)
10-11 = Dog case (or another animal)
10-12 = Standby
10-13 = Civilians present and listening
10-14 = Prowler report
10-15 = En route to the station with suspect
10-16 = Domestic problem
10-17 = Meet complainant
10-18 = Urgent matter
10-19 = Return to the station
10-20 = Specify location/my location is (name of location)
10-21 = Place a phone call to (name of person)
10-22 = Disregard
10-23 = Stand by on this frequency
10-24 = Assignment completed
10-25 = Please report in person
10-26 = Detaining suspect
10-27 = Vehicle registration request
10-28 = Arrests/warrants found on driver’s license
10-29 = Arrests/warrants found on the vehicle
10-30 = Unnecessary use of police radio
10-31 = Crime or criminal act in progress
10-32 = Gun / firearm
10-33 = Emergency traffic follows; hold routine messages
10-34 = Radio Frequency open (cancels the 10-33 message)
10-35 = Major crime alert
10-36 = What is the correct time of day?
10-37 = Suspicious vehicle (investigate)
10-38 = Suspicious vehicle (stopping)
10-39 = False alarm; premises were occupied
10-40 = False alarm, no activity, premises appear to be secure
10-41 = Begin watch
10-42 = End of watch. Mainly, departments use the end-of-watch signal when an officer passes away.
10-43 = Information
10-44 = Permission to leave
10-45 = Fueling squad car/vehicle
10-46 = Provide motorist assistance
10-47 = Emergency road repair needed at
10-48 = Traffic standard repair needed at
10-49 = En route to an assignment
10-50 = Accident
10-51 = Tow truck needed
10-52 = Ambulance needed
10-53 = Road blocked at (name of location)
10-54 = Animals on the highway
10-55 = Security check (Also used for an intoxicated driver)
10-56 = Intoxicated pedestrian
10-57 = Hit-and-run accident
10-58 = Direct traffic
10-59 = Escort
10-60 = Squad in the vicinity, lock-out
10-61 = Personnel in area
10-62 = Reply to message
10-63 = Clear to copy info?
10-64 = Message for delivery
10-65 = Net message assignment
10-66 = Net message cancellation
10-67 = Person calling for help
10-68 = Dispatch message
10-69 = Confirms message received
10-70 = Prowler, fire alarm
10-71 = Gun involved, advise nature of fire
10-72 = Shooting, fire progress report
10-73 = Smoke reported
10-74 = Negative, no
10-75 = In contact with (name)
10-76 = Officer is en route / on the way
10-77 = Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), amount of time until
10-78 = Need assistance
10-79 = bomb threat
10-80 = Bomb has exploded
10-81 = Breathalyzer report
10-82 = Reserve lodging
10-83 = Work school crossing at (location)
10-84 = If meeting _, please advise ETA
10-85 = Delay due to (reason)
10-86 = Police officer on-duty
10-87 = Pickup
10-88 = Please lookup the present phone number of (person)
10-89 = Bomb threat
10-90 = Bank alarm going off at (location)
10-91 = Picking up a prisoner
10-92 = Improperly parked vehicle
10-93 = Blockage
10-94 = Drag racing
10-95 = Prisoner/subject is in custody
10-96 = Psych patient, a person exhibiting crazy or psychotic behavior
10-97 = Check signal
10-98 = Prison break or jailbreak
10-99 = Wanted/stolen record

Friday and Saturday nights are always hopping when it comes to police and first responder activity. If you're looking for something outside of the box to do that doesn't cost money, gather around and listen in to first responders in action.

It's always a good idea to stay on the right side of the law and be cautious. Crime can strike any place, anywhere, even right here in Abilene. There are still cold cases that remain unsolved. Just scroll below to check them out.