While parking is still of concern, VCU is taking steps to become more of a residential university. Recent articles contain announcements of new developments and feedback.

There is also news on VCU’s recycling front.

And if that was not enough, there is also this email from Oregon Hill resident and Monroe Park Advisory Council member Todd Woodson, which expresses concern over the way VCU crime is reported, and can be seen in the context of the latest (2008) postings of crime in Virginia colleges by FBI:

Friends-

I left our last meeting with more questions than answers regarding safety statistics and in particular, enforcement statistics for Monroe Park. Please find below a link for VCU’s 2009 Safety Report. It is odd that although VCU includes statistics for Cumberland ave, 100 block Pine St and 100 block Cherry St which are all part of the Historic Oregon Hill Neighborhood and not campus, there is no mention of statistics within Monroe Park itself:

http://www.vcu.edu/police/campussafetyreport2009.pdf

Of interest are the statistics for non-student liquor and drug offenses on unspecified public property which essentially doubled from 2007 to 2008 (block by block figures for public property provided by RPD) :

2008: non student liquor offenses on public property: 168
” ” ” drug ” ” ” ” ” 151
2007: non student liquor offenses on public property: 80
” ” ” drug ” ” ” ” ” 78

It would be most helpful to address safety issues in Monroe Park if offenses in the Park could be logged and consequently tracked by the Council and/or a Richmond Police entity. I know we have asked for these statistics many times in the past and as was discussed, we really havent had any consistent presence at meetings from either RPD or VCU Police during our tenure.

In addition, I have included an eye opening report from the Commonwealth Times October 2008 issue regarding VCU crime statistics:

http://eblackstock.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/campus-crime-statistics-subject-to-interpretation/

I think that considering the amount of money hopefully being directed toward the park, the safety issues are something we as a group really need to focus on- especially the ever present substance abuse and collateral safety issues. As we’ve said before, there seems to be an absence as well as major confusion over day to day law enforcement in Monroe park. I believe we should address this at our next meeting and of course invite RPD and VCU police. Hopefully someone from higher up in those respective organizations will attend.

thanks,

Todd.

In response to the earlier, mysterious disappearance of one of its international student…well, the Times Dispatch has the story:

Virginia Commonwealth University yesterday offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the location of Jonathan S. Dorey, a foreign-exchange student who has been missing more than a week.

A resident gave me permission to post the following:

Last night (Thursday night) or early this morning (Friday morning), a red, 1994 Pontiac Firebird was broken into on the corner of Holly and South Pine. Most likely, the thiefs were trying to steal the T-Top, which may make this somewhat of an insolated incident: driver-side window was busted out and then the T-Top was also smashed in.

If you have any information, please call 646-4105 (case # 201003120160).

With this said…

1) Obviously lock your doors and remove items from your car.

2) Call in grafitti when you see it by calling the city at 311 or going online to make a request: http://eservices.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/citizensrequest/frmNewEntryType.asp (Studies have shown that grafitti invites crime)

3) Pick up trash…again, the more trash around, the more likely that thiefs think that residents don’t care about their property and less likely to respond to crimes.

Overall, our neighborhood has never had any major problems, but if we consistently do the above, we can help keep it this way!!

“The Flying Brick is hosting a potluck this Friday, March 12th at 7pm! Bring food and friends! There might be some board games and with any luck we’ll be having a fire later on in the evening. This is a dry event, so pretty please no booze!”

and

“SynerGeo welcomes our neighbors to join us in our monthly community dinner
on Monday, March 15th at 6pm. Please bring a dish to share. We hope to
see you next week.” (This event is no alcohol also).

From the Commonwealth Times, Virginia Commonwealth University’s student newspaper:

The search continues for the missing 22-year-old exchange student from Guernsey, England, who was last seen on campus on March 2. The VCU Police Department is joined by students, family and friends in their efforts to locate the student.
Jonathan “Jonny” S. Dorey is a geography major who lives in the Gladding Residence Center.
According to press statement issued by VCU Police Chief John Venuti, Dorey is between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall, weighs between 180 and 200 pounds and has brown hair. Dorey wears glasses and was last seen wearing a blue and white plaid jacket with a hood and dark blue jeans. He was riding a black mountain bike.
Venuti stated police have no reason to believe foul play is involved in Dorey’s disappearance, but would like to talk to anyone who has seen Dorey.
Lorna Yarberry, a friend of Dorey and a communication arts major stated in an e-mail she was informed of his disappearance Wednesday afternoon when mutual friends called asking if she had seen him. Yarberry stated Dorey was a frequent bike rider and the search had extended to trails Dorey had been known to ride.
“A friend works for the K-9 Alert search and rescue for Henrico and she and her dog and the rest of the team with state-certified search dogs were out around the river today looking for him,” Yarberry stated. They didn’t find anything yet they’re going to continue to search the area and the river.”
Yarberry stated some of Dorey’s friends, including an officer, covered all the paths and grounds at Belle Isle (north and south ends) and the trails of Hollywood Cemetary (sic).

Just a couple of quick pics from around the neighborhood late yesterday after taking part in the cleanup:

A pickup soccer game near Ethyl (Afton Chemical)

The crowd queues at Mama Zu's.

From announcement:

Neighborhood Clean Up/Litter Patrol with VCU SGA, Green Unity 4 VCU, & Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association

March 6, 2 pm / meet outside Mojo’s at 1:50 pm

For more info, contact Leah Fremouw (fremouwla at vcu.edu or Elle Chang (change at vcu.edu)

*pizza will be served afterwards for clean up volunteers *

From the Richmond Dispatch, February 26, 1888:

The Solid Democratic Club of Oregon Hill met last night at 8 o’clock, with President D.R. Read presiding and J.L. Lee acting as secretary. After transacting the regular business of the club, lively and stirring addresses were made by Mr. Meade Haskins, James W. Gibbons, W.M. Prentiss, John J. King, and others. The club is in good working order, and ready for the fight for Democracy.

While Jennifer Hancock is still the interim President of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, there were some leadership decisions made at this past Tuesday’s OHNA meeting. Kyle Meyer is the new vice president. Debbie Anderson is the new secretary. Todd Woodson is still Treasurer. OHNA has a new committee dealing with VCU gym membership. Barbara Carter is the new contact person with VCU and she is now the go to person for any questions or concerns about the VCU gym. Her email is barbara.carter86 at yahoo.com

More detailed meeting minutes may get posted later.

To support reconstruction efforts after the earthquake in Haiti; middle School student, Nadine Delano, will be hosting Kids Helping Kids,a yard-sale and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at William Byrd Community House (WBCH).