NC law enforcement to help launch crime database

A new tool aims to solve crimes faster and more effectively.

Twenty different law enforcement agencies from across North Carolina came together in Wilmington Tuesday to sign on to an information sharing database.

Together with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), these 20 agencies can now access each other’s records anywhere they can connect to the internet.

It’s called the North Carolina Law Enforcement Information Exchange, or LInX.

The basic idea is that participating law enforcement can search information in the LInX database for anything from partial license plates, to suspect descriptions. The program cross references that information with reports entered by police across the state.

NCIS is footing the bill to protect military bases, like Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg and Sunny Point.

New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey said, “I’d say in my 39 years in law enforcement our biggest problem is not sharing information and not working together. That’s always been a problem and continues today even after 9/11. Hopefully this puts us on the right track and we’re excited about it.”

Everything from mug shots to warrant information will be in the data base.

Today, each agency signed one document agreeing to participate in the LInX program.

In our area, Brunswick County, New Hanover County, and Onslow County sheriff’s offices,WPD, and even the SBI are part of the LInX program.

It’s currently in use in eight other parts of the country from Virginia to Southern California.