VCU Police hit the streets as referees to promote pedestrian safety
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — VCU Police took to the streets as referees to bring awareness to pedestrian safety.
On March 17, officers participated in their annual “Referee” pedestrian safety event with whistles and flags to improve traffic enforcement.
Started in 2023, officials flagged pedestrians in a light-hearted manner, giving out travel safety information near Main and South Linden Street. They also awarded those who crossed appropriately with candy.
“[We’re] trying to give them information on how to cross the street properly, using the signs, but not just using the signs that tell you to cross the street, but also just being careful when you decide to cross the street,” said Edgar Greer, Lieutenant of special operations.
VCU data showed many drivers near VCU exhibit dangerous habits. During Operation Safer Streets, a targeted traffic enforcement initiative launched in January, VCU Police issued more than 1,400 traffic summonses in seven weeks, including 562 speeding violations, 157 red light violations, 193 violations for failure to obey highway signs and more than 450 traffic-related offenses.
“You get a lot of pedestrians here that just walk. They’re busy, they're on the run on their phones to call people, and they just walk their heads or down,” said Kynneath Moss, VCU officer.
Officer Randall said it’s everyone’s responsibility to know how to maneuver through campus -- that includes drivers.
“We do have tendencies of being on our phone and stuff like that, but we’re making sure that the drivers are held accountable, along with the students and that we can bring everybody together on the same page,” Randall said.
- W. Grace St. & Shafer St.
- W. Main St. & N. Laurel St.
- W. Broad St. & N Harrison St.
- N. 11th St. & E. Leigh St.
- N. 11St. & E. Marshall St.
- N. 12th St. & E. Clay St.
These engagements will go exactly like the first event and occur over the next two weeks (weather permitting). Anyone who would like to share any pedestrian safety resources, you can find a few best practices at this link.
