WILMINGTON — The campus police department at UNCW is investigating after a concealed camera was found in a first-year residence hall bathroom this week.
UNCW sent an email on Wednesday notifying students about a device in a single-occupancy bathroom on the fourth floor of Pelican Hall — a residence hall typically home to freshmen. On Tuesday, housing and residence staff immediately contacted UPD, now looking into the alleged privacy violation and working to conduct a forensic analysis of the device.
UNCW Alert’s email to students noted at this point in time, investigators have not concluded if any individuals were recorded, how long the alleged activity occurred or if recordings were shared. The investigation, including the forensic review of the device, could take several days.
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The student who owns the camera was identified and has since been removed from campus, pending completion of the investigation.
A spokesperson for UNCW was unable to answer Port City Daily’s questions by press, including if charges will be pressed, if the student can still attend classes, if the camera recorded audio, images or video. Also asked was whether UPD is working with the Wilmington Police Department or the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office on the investigation. This will be updated once we hear back.
NHCSO spokesperson Lt. Jerry Brewer informed Port City Daily: “We may assist them in one way. It might be with CSI or something like that. … I’ve not been told anything. But any information is going to come from UNCW.”
So far, the university said officials have swept Pelican Hall and found no other electronic devices in the bathrooms.
“While no information indicates similar situations exist elsewhere, out of an abundance of caution, university officials are in the process of sweeping other residential bathrooms across campus,” the email included.
Investigators are working to identify individuals who may have been affected. They will be privately contacted by the university and connected to support.
“Every member of our campus community deserves safety and respect, especially in spaces where personal privacy is expected,” according to the university “As always, students’ safety, privacy and wellbeing are our top priorities. Our primary focus is to keep our community safe and supported while carefully balancing fact-finding with what can be shared more broadly.”
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