Bellingham PD out of pepper spray, tear gas after riot

WHATCOM COUNTY-- The Bellingham Police Department depleted its entire stock of smoke, pepper spray, pepper balls and drag stabilizers in Saturday morning's effort to disperse a riot near Western Washington University, the Bellingham Herald reported.

But anarchists be warned: Don't get out that riot gear just yet in hopes of taking advantage of the depleted stock. According to the Herald, the police department has ordered enough to replenish its shelves.

"We've depleted our crowd control munitions, so we've ordered more," Bellingham Police Chief Cliff Cook told the Herald.

Cook said the department was lucky to have extra officers on hand at the time of the riot to scour the area for underage parties. Also, officers from the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, the Western Washington University Police Department and Washington State Patrol were on hand to help disperse revelers.

Police believe damage to cruisers and other office gear would tally into the thousands. An estimated cost for street sign and other property repairs were not yet available.

Western Washington University officials are working to determine which, if any, students acted in the riot. They will likely face suspension or expulsion if they are caught, police said.

Officials said many students have expressed their sorrow that such events occurred on a normally quiet campus.

"Our students are very embarrassed about this situation," Steve Swan of WWU said.