On Friday, Oct. 19, WSU Vancouver Police Lieutenant and Director of Public Safety Dave Stephenson attended the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver Senate meeting, discussing the anticipated Patriot Prayer rally to take place at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23 on the WSU Vancouver campus.
Stephenson explained that “We are not planning on just using my little police department, I’ve got police partners coming to help.” He added that he is expecting a “peaceful demonstration” however he also mentioned the group’s “history in other cities” where things have gotten out of control. Stephenson stated that if measures were to escalate, he has “plans and support” to deal with it.
Stephenson also addressed the WSU Vancouver Chancellor’s note, sent campus wide in response to the rally, saying that if students are concerned and don’t wish to be on campus, that is supported.
“My primary concern is for the safety for everybody, especially the students,” Stephenson said. “My secondary concern is the second amendment, for both sides to be able to say their piece, in a peaceful manner. If it gets beyond that, we will hold them accountable and control it.”
He then invited questions from the Senate and those in attendance.
One ASWSUV senator asked about the policy regarding concealed carry on campus, stating, “There was some confusion over campus policy concerning the ability to carry on campus. That policy has been clarified, but I’m wondering if that policy will be enforced by disarming folks who do attempt to carry on campus?”
“Yes, with a caveat.” Stephenson responded. “The policy [regarding concealed/open carry] is Washington Administrative Code, which is a little less heavy than an RCW [Revised Code of Washington] which is a criminal code.”
Stephenson added “If we see firearms or firearms are noted, we will approach them and tell them you have to either leave or you can lock that [the weapon] in your car.” He added that the caveat comes with the the fact that if approaching a protestor causes more potential danger, then he may choose not to. He said he does not see that happening and that his plan currently is to enforce that issue as needed if observed.
Another ASWSUV senator asked if the group would be permitted to concealed carry as a private citizen on campus without breaking the WAC code. Lt. Stephenson responded with, “The Washington Administrative Code says no, they can’t. However if I can’t see it, if nobody knows it’s there, we don’t have the ability or the authority to run them through a radar detector to find it first.”
Stephenson mentioned that social media and “history” has suggested that when one group shows up in protest, counter groups show up in counter protest. He said that is usually when things can become violent. Those events, according to Stephenson, are typically at different types of protests, whereas the stated purpose of this visit is simply to hand out pamphlets.
Stephenson said that “Vancouver police counterparts have tried to contact the group” but have yet to establish a communication with them regarding Tuesday.
“I expect a fairly benign event,” Stephenson said about the group’s anticipated visit.
One student in the attendance asked, “Instead of creating all these measures, why don’t we just close campus? What is making us not be able to close campus?” She added, “We have a daycare, we have a highschool, we have students of color, that I am sorry to say do not trust police officers, so why can’t we close the campus?”
Stephenson responded stating that closing campus is not his decision and that he agrees with not closing campus, adding that “If we were to do that [close campus], they [Patriot Prayer] would just come at another time, and they would come without notice to us, so I would not be able to prepare.”
According to Stephenson, the Patriot Prayer group has stated that even though Clark College has closed Campus, they still plan to go to Clark on Monday and also plan to return on a day that students will be there.
Stephenson concluded his visit to the Senate stating that “ownership” of the WSU Vancouver campus is another part of the rational of not closing campus. “Do you want to just lock down and run and hide, or do you want to stand up for our rights and our ability to be our campus and who we are?”
The VanCougar’s continued coverage on this developing story can be found here.