Phone:(434) 924-7166
Fax: (434) 982-2817
Saferide: (434) 242-1122

2304 Ivy Road
P.O. Box 400214
Charlottesville, VA 22903-44790

Safety Announcements:

July 21, 2010

The University of Virginia Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery near the intersection of Crispell Drive and Roosevelt Brown Boulevard at 12:30 a.m. July 21, 2010. The victim, who is not affiliated with the University, reported being approached by three males on bicycles. One of the suspects got off his bicycle and walked up to the victim, displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded his wallet. The suspects left the area on bicycles in the direction of Cherry Avenue.

The suspects are described as black males in their early to late teens wearing shorts and T-shirts.

Formerly known as the 9th-10th Street Connector, Roosevelt Brown Boulevard runs from West Main Street to Cherry Avenue near the east end of the University's Health System complex.

The Charlottesville Police Department is investigating an armed robbery involving suspects with similar descriptions that occurred an hour earlier in the area of 6th Street.

Anyone having information related to either incident should call the University Police at 434-924-7166 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.

Please use all of the resources that are provided to you as a member of the University community. If you are interested in learning more about what resources are available, including safety seminars and self-defense classes, visit our Resources website. www.virginia.edu/uvapolice/resources.html

A few key things to remember:

  • Trust your instincts about a person or situation. If you feel uncomfortable, immediately report your concerns to police by calling 911.
  • If you find yourself in a similar situation, turn over material belongings to the suspect and focus on his or her physical characteristics, i.e. clothing description, height and weight and last known direction of travel.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Do not let a cell phone conversation or listening to music distract you when walking or in a situation that calls for your full attention.
  • Avoid isolated areas when walking alone at night. Use SafeRide (434-242-1122), walk with friends, or take the late-night weekend bus.
  • Report suspicious activity or people immediately by calling 911.

 

July 20, 2010

The Charlottesville Police Department responded to a report of a sexual assault that occurred on Roosevelt Brown Blvd at 11:30 p.m. on Monday July 19, 2010. The victim, a University of Virginia student, reported being approached from behind and was pushed into some bushes along the sidewalk as she was walking on Roosevelt Brown Blvd. After a brief struggle, the assailant fled on foot in the direction of West Main Street.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his early thirties. He is approximately five foot seven inches tall and weighs approximately 150 to 160 pounds.

Anyone having information related to this incident should call the Charlottesville Police at 434-970-3280 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.

Please use all of the resources that are provided to you as a member of the University community. If you are interested in learning more about what resources are available, including safety seminars and self-defense classes, visit our Resources web site.

A few key things to remember:

  • Trust your instincts about a person or situation. If you feel uncomfortable, immediately report your concerns to police by calling 911.
  • If you find yourself in a similar situation, turn over material belongings to the suspect and focus on his or her physical characteristics, i.e. clothing description, height and weight and last known direction of travel.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Do not let a cell phone conversation or listening to music distract you when walking or in a situation that calls for your full attention.
  • Avoid isolated areas when walking alone at night. Use SafeRide (434-242-1122), walk with friends, or take the late-night weekend bus.
  • Report suspicious activity or people immediately by calling 911.

The University of Virginia Police Department would like to remind you of several resources that are available if you believe you, or a friend, has been a victim of sexual assault. Sources of support available include the Office of the Dean of Students, the Women's Center, Counseling and Psychological Services in Student Health, Charlottesville's Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA), and the Victim and Witness Assistance Programs for the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Students wishing to pursue disciplinary action through the University can do so through the University's Sexual Assault Board. For more information about the Sexual Assault Board, contact the Office of Dean of Students or by phone at 434-924-7133. Students are eligible to receive support through any of these channels regardless of whether they elect to pursue criminal, civil, or administrative remedies through the University.

 

Safety Tips:

Pedestrian Rail Safety Tips:

  • Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them.  Trains have the right of way 100% of the time---over ambulances, fire engines, cars, the police and pedestrians.
  • Never walk down a train track; it's illegal and it's dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
  • Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
  • Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale "clackety-clack." Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.
  • A train may extend three feet or more outside the steel rail, which makes the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the rails themselves.
  • Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
  • Remember: Rail and recreation do not mix!

Pedestrian Safety Tips:

  • When a crosswalk signal is present, only cross when authorized.
  • Even when authorized, always look left, right and then left again before crossing. 
  • Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
  • Stop at the curb, or the edge of the road, never in the roadway.
  • Stop and look left, then right, then left again, before crossing.
  • If you see a car, wait until it goes by.  Remember, only the driver can stop the vehicle and he has to choose to stop. 
  • If a car is parked where you are crossing, make sure there is no driver in the car.  Then go to the edge of the car and look left-right-left until no cars are coming. Keep looking for cars while you are crossing, and remember, walk. Don’t run.
  • Watch for turning vehicles pulling from the wrong side of the street or from private drives.
  • Do not text message or read while crossing.
  • Do not blindly follow others or allow others to direct you across the street without looking.