Author Archives: Scott

RPD’s Safe Corridors Initiative

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Received this and thought of Open High:

Bryan T. Norwood
Chief of Police

Contact: Gene Lepley
Richmond Police Department
Phone 804-646-0607
Fax 804-646-3496
http://www.richmondgov.com/police
For Immediate Release

News Release
Chief Norwood Introduces Safe Corridors Initiative

Aug. 31, 2009
With the first day of school a week away, Chief Bryan T. Norwood and the Richmond Police Department have plans in place to help Richmond Public Schools students start the school year off right.

Chief Norwood, along with Schools Superintendent Yvonne Brandon, will introduce the Safe Corridors Initiative at a 10:30 a.m. press conference Tuesday, Sept. 1, at John Marshall High School, 4225 Old Brook Road.

“Safe Corridors is about the safety of our young people in school and out of school,” Chief Norwood said. “We want them to have safe passage as they travel the hallways at school and the roadways on the way to and from school. Our target audience is our high school students.”

“Richmond Public Schools is about the business of education. As such, the safety and security of our students is paramount,” said Dr. Brandon. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Richmond Police Department, and appreciate all of their efforts in helping to provide a safe environment for our students.”

The Department has a school resource officer assigned to each public high school in the city. The officers work with Richmond Public Schools security officers to resolve any crime-related issues that may arise during the school day. Some of the school resource officers take their role a step further by serving as mentors for students and also assist with directing or coaching extracurricular activities at the schools.

High school students with cars should be aware of speed limits and all safe driving laws, especially those regarding seat belts and cell phone usage. The Department’s Traffic Unit and sector officers from each precinct will increase traffic and radar enforcement in and around school zones.

“Our goal with Safe Corridors is to provide a safe learning environment and overall community for our students,” Chief Norwood said. “We want them to focus all of their energy on their education.”

VCU Siren Test Wednesday

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From: Sue A Messmer/AC/VCU
Date: August 31, 2009 5:33:49 PM EDT
To:
Cc: Kathy L Honsharuk/AC/VCU
Subject: Siren Test

Dear Monroe Park Campus Community Advisory Group:

A full test of the VCU emergency communications system will be conducted Wednesday, September 2 at noon. Full tests of the VCU emergency communications system are conducted twice a year, near the beginning of each semester. These are different from the monthly checks of the siren system that are conducted at noon on the first Wednesday of each month.

The full test of the system will include 10 sirens on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses along with text messages, digital signs, Alertus devices in classrooms and residence halls, Web site information and social media that are part of a multi-channel system for communicating emergency information to VCU students, employees, parents and neighbors.

The sirens will sound a fast, up-and-down wail for three minutes, and after a one-minute pause, sound a steady wail for one minute to signal “all clear” to end the test.

In a real emergency, sirens will be used when it is imperative to get the attention of everyone outside of VCU buildings because an immediate, life-threatening emergency has occurred or is imminent. People outside but on campus should go to the nearest university building and seek additional information about what is happening. People off-campus should not come to campus but should seek additional information.

Text messaging is a primary communications and information channel because it is fast and reliable. Text messages will be used for notifications about emergencies and closings and delays for inclement weather. There is no cost for enrolling, and you can sign up for text messaging now at www.vcu.edu/notify. Emergency information also is available on the VCU Alert Web site at www.vcu.edu/alert.

We hope you will find that our emergency communications are beneficial to you. As always, we will communicate with our community neighbors when there is any enhancement or change about which you would want to know. And please, do not hesitate to forward this email to your neighbors, to help spread the word about the siren test.

Sincerely,

SAM

Sue Ann Messmer
Chief of Staff, Office of the President
and Vice President for University Relations
phone: (804) 828-1200
fax: (804) 828-7532
e-mail: samessme@vcu.edu

Times Dispatch, 1905, Capture Fleeing Convicts.

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From the Richmond Times Dispatch, August, 31, 1905:

Clever work on the part of two citizens of Oregon Hill Tuesday afternoon prevented the escape of two convicts from the penitentiary. Lewis Oliver and Erasmus Cooley, both negroes, were with a gang of seven convicts employed in unloading a car at the foot of Sixth Street. Suddenly the two men broke away from the guard and started towards Oregon Hill. Messrs. E.R. Thomas and A.W. Blackburn captured Oliver, and Mr. A. E. Priddy was the man to stop the running of Cooley. The reward for the capture of a convict is $50, and this will be paid to the citizens who made the captures.

Byrd House Market Needs Musicians

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The Byrd House Market needs musicians to play on Tuesdays any hour between 5 and 7 p.m. for the months of September or October. You can plug in on the BHM stage or be unplugged in the garden. You’re reward is bagfuls of fresh produce and meeting some of the finest people in Richmond — our shoppers! Bands are welcome to sell CDs or swag and have a hat out for tips. If you’re interested in playing a tuesday email Laura Morand Bailey at byrdhousemarket@gmail.com

Veggie Potluck/Documentary Thursday At WBCH

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Veggie Potluck and a Documentary at the
William Byrd Community House

Thursday 9/3/09– 6pm Potluck, 7pm documentary
Hosts John Richmond and Caroline Cox

Documentary Maker Jen Lawhorne presents her work:
“Little Trip of a Dream,” a film about the stories of undocumented people in Richmond, the lives they left behind in Mexico and the reality of crossing the U.S./Mexico border.”

RSVP
Carolion1@yahoo.com
Please bring plates, cups and silverware to save landfill space.

Congressman Scott announces Health Care Community Forum

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Speaking of local politicians, Church Hill People’s News has this announcement:

August 28, 2009
Congressman Scott announces Health Care Community Forum
Congressman Bobby Scott (VA 3rd District) will be holding a Richmond Health Care Community Forum on Thursday, September 3, from 7-8:30PM at the General Assembly Building. Congressman Scott will do a brief presentation on H.R. 3200, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. Afterward the Congressman will take questions from the audience. This event is open to the public. Seating will be limited.

Richmond Health Care Community Forum
Thursday, September 3, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
General Assembly Building
House Room D
910 Capitol Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Meet & Greet With Incumbent McClellan on Wednesday

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Another flyer went around the neighborhood for “A Meet & Greet” with the 71st District incumbent Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan. Its happening this Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 8pm at the Finches’ house, 411 S. Cherry Street. Its described as a casual light food and drink mixer, no campaign contributions required. R.S.V.P. by Sept 1 to rosarf40@hotmail.com.

I wonder if her competition, Silver Persinger, will make it. Unfortunately, I doubt I will be able to make it due to prior commitments. I do have some questions for the Delegate though, questions that I have asked before…

Since she serves on the House Education Committee, can she encourage VCU to take a positive step for community relations?

As a Verizon attorney, can she make sure the neighborhood gets its fair share of service, including FIOS?

Since her main contributor is Dominion, what can she do to make sure Dominion utilizes more renewable energy vs. dirty coal?

I am sure other Oregon Hill residents and 71st constituents have questions. Please feel free to leave some in the comments below.

OHHIC Flyers

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Oregon Hill residents may notice a yellow flyer in their mailbox this weekend. Its the reminder for the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council‘s upcoming annual meeting on Sunday, Sept. 27. One of the topics of the meeting will be the status of the 600 block of S. Laurel development, and there will also be a discussion of making Oregon Hill an official City Old & Historic District. And yes, OHHIC is still looking for new home buyers, especially affordable first home buyers!

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Pardon me while I climb on the soap box a bit- OHHIC is not just the oldest and the only surviving neighborhood-based community development nonprofit left in Richmond, its also one of the few remaining nonprofits to still be under the control of a voting membership. In this day and age of greed and concentration of power, OHHIC stands as a true democratic community institution. Make sure you turn your membership application in and show up to vote for new OHHIC Board members.