Law enforcement agencies introduce information network

Law enforcement agencies in Eastern North Carolina on Thursday introduced an information network that links 14 departments.

The Eastern Regional Information Center allows agencies in the east to share information about terrorists, other criminals and security issues.

At a ceremony at the New Bern Police Department, Pitt County Sheriff Mac Manning talked about the value of cooperation in sharing information. He mentioned a case in 1994 when two men bought bomb-making material from a Pitt County business. "They were later arrested in New York City, where the plan was to bomb a subway. That arrest came from sharing information," Manning said.

But technology is more sophisticated now.

Havelock Police Chief Wayne Cyrus, chairman of the board for the information center, said he could recall when the need for technology for law enforcement was questioned.

"Sharing information used to be a turf battle," he said. Cyrus said the information center "is another tool to share information not only among law enforcement agencies but by citizens as well."

New Bern Police Chief Palombo pushed for the concept when served on a committee of the N.C. Division of Emergency Management. "It is great for all first responders and citizens," he said.

The Department of Homeland Security gave a $365,000 grant for equipment, software and daily operation of the program.

The information center links police and sheriff's departments in Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Pitt counties. The information will be shared with the state, including the State Bureau of Investigation and agencies in the Raleigh area.

The agencies from Pitt County to New Hanover have signed a memorandum of agreement.

Residents can send tips about suspicious, criminal or terrorist information to webmaster@nceric.org.