The Blanco Police Department is launching a Blanco Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), according to Chief Mike Ritchey.

“BRIC is a collaborative effort of multiple Public Safety Agencies in the surrounding counties,” Chief Ritchey said. “BRIC partner agencies will work together to provide resources, expertise and/or information to the center and will focus on regional public safety data analysis.”

The mission of BRIC is to better protect the public by providing a centralized, comprehensive, multi-agency criminal information and intelligence-sharing network to enhance the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the law enforcement and public safety agencies involved and maximizing the region’s ability to detect, prevent, apprehend, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity.

He noted that one reason for creating BRIC was the inroads a student resource officer, the city/BISD partnership that has placed a law enforcement officer dedicated to patrolling public schools, was making with students

The BRIC has an emphasis on school safety but will also serve as a touchpoint for identifying local threats.

“We have an opportunity now to reach out to our entire public and citizens and school district and gather information if needed,” Chief Ritchey said.

The Blanco Police Department will partner with the Austin Regional Intelligence Center to share and gather information when needed. ARIC is a collaboration between 17 public safety agencies in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. In part, it works to provide information to detect, prevent or interrupt “serial criminal conduct, organized crime, terrorist activity.”

Chief Ritchey said the immediate focus will be training with ARIC.

BRIC will have a private number to use for reporting or sharing information. Until then, please contact the Blanco Police Department with questions or any information.