Emmanuela Chanoine and Ashlee V. Thomas
Q1: How likely do you think it is that you could be attacked on or near campus?
Q2: How prepared do you think you are to defend yourself against an attacker?
Q3: Where on campus do you feel the least safe? Where do you feel safest?
Q4: How important do you think it is for VCU to e-mail students a list of offenses around campus on a weekly basis?
Q5: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen about staying safe at VCU?
Erin Shelton, senior, creative advertising
Q1: Likely. I walk by myself at night, and I carry money on me. It’s obvious that I’m a waitress.
Q2: Semi-prepared. I grew up here, and I know what to look out for.
Q3: I feel the least safe near the BP. I feel the safest on the compass because there’s a camera.
Q4: Somewhat important. Only because half the people don’t read them.
Q5: Be aware of your surrounding
Crystal Robinson, freshman, psychology
Q1: Likely. It seems like Richmond is a crime city.
Q2: Pretty prepared in a situation.
Q3: At the end of Main Street. Safest at Shafer.
Q4: Important. Students have a right to know.
Q5: Always go places with people.
Camille Trejo, junior, kinetic imaging
Q1: Very likely because my car has been broken into, and my house has (been) three times.
Q2: I feel prepared because I carry two knives, one that is a lipstick case, a stun gun, and I wear steel-toed boots.
Q3: Grace Street and a strip on Harrison. I feel the safest in the center of campus where it is well lighted.
Q4: Extremely important because a guy followed me around once, and I would have liked to have known.
Q5: Don’t go anywhere alone, and just be smart about it.
Nitin Bhagi, senior, biology
Q1: Somewhat because I travel alone at night.
Q2: Fairly well prepared because I’m aware of my environment.
Q3: Shafer Street is where I feel safest. I feel the least safe on Cary Street because it’s not well lighted.
Q4: Very important. It benefits students to realize what type of environment they’re in.
Q5: Travel in groups.
Caroline Grier, senior, homeland security/political science
Q1: I feel very likely, especially where I live.
Q2: I feel pretty well prepared because I used to work out with a Navy SEAL and could kick butt.
Q3: I feel the least safe at Monroe Park. I feel the safest in the Commons. When I’m on campus I never feel threatened.
Q4: They should e-mail them as soon as they occur to keep you on your toes.
Q5: Travel in herds. Mace is a good idea. My mom wanted to give me a taser, but I wouldn’t go that far.
Laura Paz, sophomore, mass communications
Q1: Somewhat, because I walk around campus.
Q2: Not at all.
Q3: I feel the least safe in my neighborhood.
Q4: Important. It’s good to know and be aware.
Q5: Don’t run around by yourself. Be aware and be cautious.