Robberies prompt VCU warning
Published: August 25, 2009
Virginia Commonwealth University issued a warning to its students and staff after two robberies occurred in two days near the downtown Richmond school's main academic campus.
Police have stepped up their presence on and around VCU properties in response to the robberies, John M. Bennett, senior vice president for finance and administration, said in a letter to the university community.
"Classes have begun and thousands of students are back on campus and surrounding neighborhoods for the new academic year," Bennett wrote. "This is a time of great opportunity for learning and socializing. We also want this to be a safe time for all of you."
Two male VCU students were robbed at gunpoint by two males Wednesday at 10:15 p.m. while walking along the 800 block of West Cumberland Street near the southern edge of the Monroe Park campus. At 3:05 a.m. Friday, a male gunman robbed two male VCU students and one female student who were sitting in front of a house in the 800 block of West Clay Street near the northern edge of the campus.
No shots were fired in either robbery, and no injuries were reported.
Bennett urged everyone at the 33,000-student university "to be mindful of their personal safety, especially if you are new to an urban environment."
He also reminded students and employees of the VCU Security Escort Service, which is available by calling (804) 828-WALK.
Yesterday, several VCU students said they are not changing their behavior in light of the recent robberies, but they are sticking with their normal safety habits.
Khristie Concepcion, a sophomore who lives at Belvidere and Cary streets, said she was "really scared walking around at night" in her first year at school but has developed a routine.
"I just walk in well-lit areas [and] ignore people when I walk by," she said.
Anthony Rondina, a freshman from Chesterfield County who spent yesterday afternoon on his laptop across from the student commons, said he generally feels safe on campus, but he tries to be smart.
"I don't worry about it," he said. "I've been locking all my stuff; I don't take my eye off anything."
Sophomore Crystolyn Macklin of Henrico County said she takes care walking on campus after evening classes.
"I make sure I don't walk through [Monroe Park] or anything like that. I always try to walk with a group of people even if I'm by myself, I'll catch up with them," she said.
"I'm always aware."
Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or
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Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .
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Reader Reactions
Most of the students don’t use their heads in common sense.
Most of the students walk around campus with their cell phones in their ears oblivious to their surroundings, looking at the ground rather than looking at what’s going on around them. Some almost are hit by cars and bikes. Folks, you need to ditch the phone, pay attention to where you are walking (i. e. be mindful of traffic and listen to sounds), and be alert! You are not walking in your living room, but on a city street.
When I lived in Rhoads hall, they emphasized to us that this is not the typical campus where there are definite borders, you exit this building [Rhodes hall] and are directly on a city street. So, watch what’s going on around you, scanning as you walk and walk with a purpose. The city IS the campus. This was 40 years ago!
Campuses like VCU which are in dangerous areas should be permitted to add a ‘security fee’ of $50 or $100 per student per semester to hire more guards then. The school is ridiculously cheap anyway, it couldn’t hurt.
lol…okay, i shouldnt be lmao but that would be ironic if they robbed the security escort services….and those guys aren’t armed…i guess harsh language and that vcu logo is enough of a deterent to stop anyone from commiting any crimes on the campus lol….and while a lot of the students might have short term memory, when they get drunk, it gets a lot worse….and makes for an easier target too…..
issuing the warning is useless. students have such short term memory that in a few weeks, they will forget about it.
VCU needs to step up patrols. I am waiting to read in the news about a gunman robbing the security escort services. that would be classic and ironic.
robberies have been on the rise in that area and the influx of college students are just more targets for those predators in the area….issueing the alert was fine and dandy,but it is almost a little too late…just glad that no one has been hurt,maybe vcu can hire more security or police officers since they are receiving more students….oops, forgot that we are in a recession so that is out of the question lol….
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