Westfield State University apparently used to have a hate crime epidemic. Not any more.
After the Massachusetts school installed 400 security cameras, the weekly rate of people reporting bias and hate crimes there dropped by a whopping 93 percent.
During an 11-week period during the fall 2017 semester there were 23 incidents reported. Since the cameras were installed, there’s only been three complaints.
That according to a log kept by the university that is up to date, Tricia Oliver, a spokesperson for the school, told The College Fix.
On Dec. 4, installation began, and by the time students returned from winter break in January, nearly all cameras were positioned, Oliver said via email
The vast majority of the incidents last fall were racists notes slipped under students’ doors or left in mailboxes, as well as racist vandalism and racial slurs “overheard” by others. Some anti-Semitic graffiti has also been reported.
During the spree of reported hate and bias incidents, there was much racial unrest and protests on campus. The cameras appear to have helped nip all that in the bud.
Scanlon Hall, the worst of all reported locations at Westfield for bias incidents, has not made a peep since the cameras were installed, the log shows.
Oliver told The College Fix that the cameras were a helpful addition to the measures put in place to address the problem.
“The cameras have certainly augmented our existing security on campus. Plus, an increase in diversity and inclusivity educational programming has taken place over the last several months, led by the areas of Academic Affairs and Student Life. Such programming has resulted in productive discourse and conversation on these important topics,” Oliver said. “What we have seen, is a greater sentiment of unity.”
It’s unknown whether all of the allegations were legitimate bias incidents or hate crimes — or if some were hoaxes perpetrated to advance a narrative.
The most serious allegation was lodged in early November and was listed as “a student reported a physical assault with racist language directed at her.” No one has been arrested or charged in that incident.
CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Hate-crime vandalism against conservative student
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