Students, administration should take increased precautions on campus

Shane Wade
Opinion Editor

With larceny ranking as the number one crime on-campus and the recent and alarming robberies that have happened on and around campus in the past two weeks, it seems now is the right time to discuss security at VCU.

When you enter college, particularly one in an urban environment, personal responsibility becomes paramount to your life-skills set. That layer of personal responsibility encompasses and goes beyond simple common sense advice such as, “Don’t walk alone at night,” or “Be aware of your surroundings.”

That’s not to say students, or anyone who is a victim of a crime is ever at fault for what happens to them. Blaming the victim doesn’t encourage progress or lead to innovative solutions; however, it is necessary that we all are aware that individuals must also be accountable for themselves. That means applying common sense to real world situations, recognizing that you are not invulnerable or uniquely immune to the worst of situations.

Security at VCU is a partnership between VCU students and the VCU Police Department. While it is our job as adults to be self-sufficient and cognizant of our environment, we are supported by a strong, visible police force both on and off campus.

Granted, there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of police officers and patrols in the past few days, it’s too late to repair the damage already done. It’s one thing that students feel unsafe, but for those fears to echo back to their families will give more pause to prospective students.

The beginning of the semester is the worst time to have problems with crime. It’s understandable for parents to feel betrayed by the university and fear for their child’s safety.

Even before the Vespa robbery and the gang attack, I’d already received an email from a parent expressing her anger at VCU for what she perceived to be a lack of concern for the personal security of students: Her daughter’s residence hall room wouldn’t lock. To anyone on the outside of the situation, that might seem miniscule and trite, but to a parent, that door represents the their child’s security..

If the university is to progress and “Make it real,” they must first reassure parents and families that safety is the utmost priority for all staff, faculty and students, both returning and incoming.

VCU/Richmond is our home: Take advantage of the security services provided to you, make it known if you feel unsafe at any location, anytime and look out for your peers. Do your part to both prevent and minimize crime here, and keep our police department accountable for both their missteps and failings.