Olivia Rine, Staff Writer
There have been multiple reports recently of gunshots in and around VCU campus, including shots fired outside of Broad and Belvidere Residence Center on Oct. 8.
Jake Burns, VCU Police public relations officer, stated in an email that VCU Police enforce any weapon law violations in both the Code of Virginia and Richmond Code of Ordinances.
“These include, but [are] not limited to, laws related to unlawful possession, discharge and transportation of firearms,” Burns stated.
Burns also shared information from VCU’s Weapon Policy, which states, “Possession or carrying of any weapon is prohibited on university property in academic buildings, administrative office buildings, medical venues, clinics, laboratories, research facilities, student residence buildings and dining facilities; or while attending sporting, entertainment or educational events.”
Burns stated that upon a report of an armed party at Broad and Belividere Residence Hall Oct. 8, all available units immediately examined the area and began reviewing security footage. Shortly after, the perpetrator was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and further charges are to be expected according to Burns.
“VCU Police take the safety and well being of our community seriously,” Burns stated. “Our officers quickly respond to any incident reportedly involving a firearm.This has been a consistent approach from the department for many years.”
VCUPD are required to send VCU Alert messages when they confirm a report of a serious and ongoing safety threat, according to Burns. He stated that the messages include a brief summary of what is known and suggested safety methods, such as “avoid the area.”
Burns stated that VCU Police surveys VCU’s core campus areas on a 24-hour basis.
“The department encourages all community members to report suspicious activities or threatening behavior immediately,” Burns stated.
Alongside VCU Alert notifications, Burns shared that the VCU Crime Prevention Team attends events throughout the year on campus to host active shooter workshops for any VCU organization or department. These workshops allow community members to learn more about how VCUPD treat active threats.
Brad Lehmann, assistant professor of criminal justice, said that police departments in Richmond are studying and training more for violence disruption.
“The community is playing a part here in Richmond as well as in other localities, violence disrupters, community-based violence disrupters, and sometimes even family levels of how to intervene in conflict,” Lehmann said.
Lehmann also shared technological advancements police departments have started to incorporate, including AI programs like ShotSpotter and ZeroEyes.
“The ShotSpotter and ZeroEyes technology was part of the quick response and apprehension of the person responsible for violence in our campus,” Lehmann said. “That is one part of a greater team effort,”
Lehmann said Richmond’s homicide and violence rates have dropped within the last few years.
These rates have dropped due to efforts such as Project Exile and gun buyback taskforces, according to Lehmann.
“The argument of gun infestation in the United States, Virginia, and in Richmond isn’t new. But the way we are adhering to new awareness and targeting requires us to be more vulnerable and aware of it,” Lehmann said.
Brad Lehmann shared that he works alongside Chief Clarence Hunter, teaching the Bridging Perspectives program offered by VCU. In this program, students alongside Lehmann and Hunter look at the biggest concerns on campus, and then learn how to engage in difficult conversations about campus safety.
With VCU residing in the middle of the city of Richmond, the campus is in a bit of a specific state in regards to crime safety, according to Lehmann.
“Because we are in a little bit of a unique situation, being an urban campus inside of a city, as well as a campus that was never designed to be the way that it is now; how big it’s grown from not just Monroe Park, but VCU Health,” Lehmann said. “You’re in an interesting venn diagram overlap.”
Emma Horton, first year psychology student, said the VCU Alerts of gunfire had her question the safety of living on campus, and that she felt safer in her hometown.
“It makes me not even really want to go back, it feels like I’m much safer there in Fredericksburg,” Horton said. “As long as I stay in my dorm I guess I’m safe, but that’s not ideal.”
Horton said that VCU has put in effective efforts to protect students, specifically with the metal detectors in the library.