Brazos County Encryption: When Transparency Disappears Overnight
A county-wide radio blackout implemented without public notice, raising alarm in a state haunted by the Uvalde accountability crisis
Key Facts
The Sudden Switch
In December 2025, residents of Brazos County, Texas—home to Texas A&M University and the cities of Bryan and College Station—discovered that all law enforcement radio communications had been encrypted. There was no public announcement, no community meeting, no opportunity for residents to voice concerns before the change took effect.
The abrupt nature of the encryption raised immediate concerns. Why was there no public discussion? Why was this decision made behind closed doors? In a state where the Uvalde school shooting had exposed catastrophic failures in law enforcement response—failures that only came to light through independent investigation and leaked radio recordings—the timing seemed particularly troubling.
"We found out about it when our scanners went silent. There was no press release, no county commissioner statement, nothing. One day we could hear what was happening in our community, the next day we couldn't."— Brazos County resident
The Uvalde Shadow
It's impossible to discuss police radio encryption in Texas without addressing Uvalde. On May 24, 2022, a gunman killed 19 children and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary School while 376 law enforcement officers waited in the hallway for over an hour. The world learned the full extent of the failure not from police, but from leaked radio recordings and security camera footage.
What Radio Access Revealed About Uvalde
- Response Failures: Radio traffic showed officers knew children were dying while commanders delayed action
- Conflicting Accounts: Initial police statements contradicted what radios recorded
- Command Breakdown: Radio communications revealed confusion about who was in charge
- Delayed Medical Response: Traffic showed injured children waited far longer for help than initially claimed
Without access to radio communications, the Uvalde tragedy might have been reported exactly as law enforcement initially described it: an inevitable tragedy where officers did everything they could. Radio access proved otherwise.
The Brazos County Context
Brazos County is home to approximately 235,000 residents, anchored by the twin cities of Bryan and College Station and Texas A&M University. The county has multiple law enforcement agencies, including:
Brazos County Sheriff's Office
Primary county law enforcement covering unincorporated areas
Bryan Police Department
City of Bryan law enforcement (~85,000 population)
College Station Police
City of College Station law enforcement (~120,000 population)
Texas A&M University PD
Campus police for 70,000+ students and staff
The county-wide encryption appears to affect all these agencies' primary dispatch and tactical channels, creating a comprehensive communications blackout across the entire county.
Why the Secrecy Matters
The decision to encrypt without public notice raises fundamental questions about democratic governance and transparency. In most jurisdictions, significant policy changes—especially those affecting public access to government operations—go through public review processes.
No Public Input
Residents had no opportunity to express concerns, ask questions, or propose alternatives before the decision was implemented.
No Justification Provided
Without public discussion, the specific reasons for encryption remain unclear to the community.
No Accountability Measures
There's no indication that alternative transparency measures were considered or implemented.
No Transition Period
The sudden switch gave no time for media, businesses, or residents to adapt or seek alternatives.
Impact on the Community
The encryption affects a diverse range of community stakeholders who relied on scanner access for various purposes:
The Bryan-College Station Eagle and local TV stations can no longer independently monitor breaking news
Parents of Texas A&M students have lost a tool for monitoring campus safety situations
Traffic reporters and residents can no longer get real-time accident information
Community safety groups have lost awareness of nearby police activity
Volunteer firefighters and emergency responders may face coordination challenges
The Texas Transparency Problem
Texas has no statewide policy requiring public notice or approval before police radio encryption. This leaves each jurisdiction free to encrypt without any standardized process, accountability measures, or consideration of community impact.
Texas vs. States with Encryption Policies
Texas (Current)
- No public notice required
- No legislative oversight
- No alternative transparency mandates
- Each agency decides independently
- No media access provisions
States with Policies
- California: Media access provisions in some jurisdictions
- Florida: Strong public records tradition
- Colorado: Required media notification in some areas
- Various: Delayed access requirements
- Some: Press pool arrangements
Questions That Need Answers
The lack of public process means Brazos County residents are left with many unanswered questions:
- What specific incidents or concerns prompted this decision?
- Was there any cost-benefit analysis conducted?
- Were alternative transparency measures considered?
- How will media outlets cover breaking news?
- What provisions exist for emergency public notification?
- Can citizens request access for legitimate purposes?
- Who made the final decision, and on whose authority?
- Was there any coordination with neighboring counties?
What Residents Can Do
While the encryption is already in place, residents concerned about transparency have several options for advocacy:
Contact County Commissioners
Brazos County Commissioners Court is the governing body for county policy. Request a public hearing on the encryption decision.
File Public Records Requests
Request all documents related to the encryption decision, including meeting minutes, cost analyses, and communications.
Attend Public Meetings
Speak during public comment periods at city council and county commissioner meetings.
Contact State Legislators
Advocate for statewide legislation requiring public notice and transparency measures before encryption.
Support Local Journalism
Subscribe to and support local news outlets advocating for transparency.
Connect with Advocacy Groups
Join or support organizations working on police transparency issues in Texas.
Lessons from Brazos County
Encryption Can Happen Suddenly
Without protective policies, communities can lose radio access overnight with no warning.
Proactive Advocacy Matters
By the time encryption is implemented, it's much harder to reverse. Advocacy must happen before decisions are made.
State Policy Gaps Enable Secrecy
Without statewide requirements for transparency, local agencies have free rein to encrypt without accountability.
Uvalde's Lessons Are Being Ignored
Despite the Uvalde tragedy demonstrating the need for accountability, Texas agencies continue to move toward secrecy.
Texas Needs Transparency Legislation
Brazos County's surprise encryption demonstrates why Texas needs statewide legislation requiring:
- Public notice before encryption decisions
- Community input opportunities
- Alternative transparency measures
- Media access provisions
- Regular review and accountability
Contact your state representatives to advocate for police radio transparency requirements.
Fight for Transparency
Learn how communities across the country are pushing back against encryption and winning.