Illinois police departments use website to get body cameras

PALMYRA, Ill. (AP) - At least 10 law enforcement agencies in Illinois have turned to the Internet to raise enough money to purchase body cameras for officers.

As of Friday, departments in Palmyra, Benld, South Pekin, East St. Louis and six other municipalities in the state had signed up for free on the website BodyCameraDonations.com to receive donations for the devices. Website creator Peter Austin Onruang tells the State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/1o1HwPe ) that his body camera company, Wolfcom, provides the devices to law enforcement agencies for $250 each.

Individuals and businesses can make donations to a specific department, or they can contribute to a general fund to be dispersed among the various departments on the website.

When a department reaches $250, it can choose to buy a camera or let its fund grow.

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This story has been corrected to show the body camera company's name is Wolfcom, not Wolfcom Vision.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com