Western Alert advisory: Safety information

Following an incident of lewd conduct earlier today on campus, police and university officials are advising Western students, faculty and staff to be aware of important safety information.

University Police are continuing to investigate an incident at 2:58 a.m. today, when a female Western student told police she saw a man exposing himself outside Ridgeway Gamma residence hall on campus. The student was studying in the main lounge on the southwestern side of the building when she saw a man attempt to enter the building but could not because the door was locked. The man rattled the exterior door to the lounge but the student did not open it. In a reflection through a window the woman saw the man expose himself while looking at her. The man then fled. The student described the suspect as a white male, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall weighing about 160 pounds but could not provide further details about the suspect's approximate age or appearance. University Police searched the area but did not locate the suspect. Bellingham Police were notified.

If you have any information about this incident, call University Police at 3911, or 911. You can also call the University Police anonymous reporting line at (360) 650-SAFE (7233).

Police do not know if this incident is connected to other similar incidents of lewd conduct in neighborhoods near campus being investigated by Bellingham Police. University Police are actively patrolling campus, and are working closely with Bellingham Police.

For Bellingham Police, tips can be sent to police Detective Sue Howell at (360) 778-8682, or anonymously at (360) 778-8611, or online at cob.org/tips.

The university provides a service using public safety assistants ("Greencoats"), who are available to enhance safety during evening hours by escorting students, faculty and staff or community members on campus. This service is available by calling University Police at (360) 650-3555.

Crime prevention information, including personal safety tips and other information, is available at:

Home safety tips and Crime Prevention and at Personal Safety information.