Contributing Writer, Olivia Rine
Over 90% of VCU students, staff and faculty reported feeling “very safe or safe,” showing a 3% drop from last year, according to its annual Perception of Safety Survey.
This is a 6% drop from the 2020 survey. This year, a quarter of respondents expressed concern with their safety at night, particularly on weekends.
On Aug. 30, around 9 p.m., an unidentified individual was found in a verbal dispute, which turned into a physical attack conducted by multiple people, according to ABC News 8. The victim’s injuries were considered minor.
According to Clarence T. Hunter, VCU chief of police, robberies this year decreased by 42%, property theft went down 7% and sexual offenses went down 20%.
This year’s perception of safety survey dropped three points based on what people consider crime to be at VCU, Hunter said.
“I have come to learn that in law enforcement, we battle two different things,” Hunter said. “One is perception of crime and one is actual crime.”
According to the poll, 57% of respondents were concerned about pedestrian safety.
Hunter and VCU’s police department have acted on resident concerns by changing the timing of lights and left-turn hardening structures in cooperation with Richmond city.The Richmond Department of Transportation will also install 700 quick-build improvements targeting intersections identified as statistically dangerous for pedestrians this fall and next, according to a previous report from the Commonwealth Times.
Hunter said that pedestrian safety is a collaborative effort and encouraged VCU community members to practice safety measures such as avoiding phone use while crossing intersections.
Chanel Smith, a first-year business major, said VCU’s police department has done a helpful job informing the community about dangerous circumstances.
Smith said he believes pedestrian concerns and circumstances are bound to happen.
“I think just going to a city college, you have to get used to all of the traffic and commotion that goes on,” Smith said.
Colton Locklair, a first-year English major, said that living in close proximity to the city of Richmond will increase crime-related incidents.
“My perception of safety on campus has not been altered, because most people go into VCU fully knowing it is very close to the center of Richmond,” Locklair said.
Locklair said that VCU could better prepare students to understand their proximity to crime in the area. He suggested they brief students at orientation.
Siya Brahmbhatt, a first-year psychology major, said her concern for her safety has increased.
“My perception of VCU safety has declined a bit, only because now that I am in the area, there are more alerts and safety issues that I’m actively seeing and being in proximity of,” Brahmbhatt said.