University of North Florida police department equipping officers with body cameras

A local campus is outfitting every one of its officers with body cameras.

The University of North Florida will spend thousands and use grant money to buy the cameras, saying it will increase student safety.

Hannah Melendez,who attends the school tells Action News Jax, “There’s a lot of measures that go into making me feel safe here on campus.”

Action News Jax obtained the most recent crime statistics released by the university.

The overview shows 5 rapes, 3 buglaries, 2 aggravated assaults, and 5 motor vehicle thefts were reported on campus in 2016.

UNF police are hoping the body worn cameras will cut down on those numbers.

“The grant is, I believe, $29,000 for the government part and the university has to kick in a like amount. It will cover 22 officers.”

The department already has 6 body cameras, but officers say there aren’t enough to go around.

Right now they’re in the process of finding new cameras.

The department wants student feed back on its current camera guidelines.

Many who attend the school say the new technology is unnecessary.

UNF will be hosting another student feedback session on it’s body camera policies on Friday March 2nd from 11am -12pm.

Cox Media Group