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Western Washington University considers body cameras for campus police

Western Washington University in Bellingham doesn't have a lot of crimes committed on campus but its police department could become one of the first campus agencies to use body cameras.

"We've got a very safe campus,” explained University Police Chief Darin Rasmussen.

Rasmussen says the racist threats that led to an arrest last fall and the recent reports of anti-Semitism are anomalies. His 15 officers are more likely to be called out to investigate vandalism and graffiti cases, but Rasmussen says he's still interested in body cameras.

"Well, we watch national trends,” Rasmussen said and, while rather rare at universities, Rasmussen says body cameras are becoming more common across the country.

Half of the officers in the Bellingham Police Department are outfitted with them now and the department will require all officers to wear the cameras by July 1.

Officer Jeremiah Smith has been wearing his for about two months and says it protects both him and his suspects-- from their own incriminating actions.

“It gives people pause when they realize they're being recorded,” he explained, as we followed him on foot patrol around downtown Bellingham.

Bellingham police say the people they are interacting with are almost always recording that interaction with their cellphone so wearing a body camera allows the police to document their perspective.

"I guess body cameras are something that might be worth looking into,” sophomore Peter Cung told us.

Not every Western student feels that way though. Sophomore Al Dowling isn't necessarily against cameras. She’s just for other forms of crime prevention like better lighting.

"I know right around campus on High Street or south campus by the dorms there aren't streetlights,” Al explained.  “It isn't very well lit and that tends to increase crime rates."