Richmond parents ready for officials to take action on damaged fence near school on Forest Hill Avenue

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Some Richmond Public Schools (RPS) parents are sharing concerns after someone drove into the fence separating the Westover Community Center and Westover Hills Elementary School with Forest Hill Avenue.

At 2:14 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, Richmond Police found that a Trans Am had driven into the fence and damaged it, leaving a 25-foot gap to replace. Its driver reportedly fled the scene, while the car was left behind.

8News spoke with Anne Taylor Rawls, a proud Westover Hills Elementary parent who adores the school administration and RPS. That's why she wants an environment safe for kids to play outside, away from the Forest Avenue traffic.

This past Tuesday, she personally bought plastic garden fencing and blocked the gap. She said that before Tuesday, however, only a few strands of yellow caution tape were placed between the gap. She did not remove the caution tape while putting in her own temporary fencing.

"Issues like this can't afford to wait," Rawls said. "With the fence being two or three feet from the playground and on the other side of the fence being 4-to-6 feet at most from the street with no shoulder. It's a huge risk."

(Photo: 8News)

Despite the lack of fencing, Rawls also shared that she trusts RPS teachers and administration to keep her Westover Hills student and her schoolmates safe.

Since Dec. 14, the fence has sat in disrepair, with some parents saying they are confused over which city entity is responsible for fixing the fence. Rawls said, though, that she does not blame RPS teachers and administrators.

RPS confirmed to 8News in a statement that it's working with get quotes to fix the fence within the next couple of days. They say work will likely be scheduled within a week.

"I think the kids and the staff and faculty that work for the city really deserve a wonderful place to work," Rawls said. "So, we're here to make it better!"