Students and members of the University's Safety and General Security Committee went on their semiannual Night Tour Safety Walk around the University and surrounding areas Monday night. The purpose of the walk is to identify potentially dangerous areas around Grounds to target for future improvements in safety.
"The cool thing about the safety walk is that we got more blue lights and street lamps that we wouldn't have gotten unless the students who went on the walk voiced their concerns," Student Council Executive Vice President Whitney Garrison said. "So the improvements that come from the walk are small but important victories."
The walk lasted about three hours and included an inspection of areas about which students had previously voiced concerns.
One of the major focuses of the walk was the reimplementation of a bus stop by Lambeth Field Apartments once the pedestrian bridge over Emmet Street is completed.
The participants on the walk also evaluated improvements that previously had been made in the areas of Gooch-Dillard and University Way.
"At one point in time there was not a sidewalk on the colonnades side of University Way, so students were forced to walk in the street," said Mark Fletcher, Safety and General Security Committee chair. "Now, it is very well lit and is an easy and accessible place for students to walk."
Fletcher also identified several other problems that will be discussed formally when the committee meets next week.
For example, there are several broken lights in areas that make night walking more difficult. This type of problem is easy for the committee to identify and fix, but is important for student safety, Fletcher said.
Several students accompanied Fletcher on the walk, including representatives from Council's Safety and Wellness Committee.
According to Safety and Wellness Committee Co-chair Faith Alejandro, the committee's participation was two-fold. First of all, they wanted to make sure that there were student voices in the process as well as let students know that the committee is doing a lot to improve safety around Grounds.
"I was very pleased with the participation of the students," Fletcher said. "It is very nice to be able to turn to them to ask them personal student experiences. Their input is invaluable."
Safety and Wellness Committee Co-chair Rachel Vogus also participated in the walk. She said she is really excited about the new bus stop at Lambeth because it has been a major concern among students.
"It was a really successful walk," she said. "It is great to see the work that the committee has already put into safety as well as their receptiveness to students' opinions."
Read More
U.Va. sees 11 percent increase in early decision applications for Class of 2029
By Sophie Long | 5 days agoThe early decision application process is a binding agreement designed for students who have chosen the University as their top choice.
Corner businesses carry on through winter break despite few students on Grounds
By Nina Broderick | 6 days agoNot only are students customers of these businesses, but they are also employees.
Winter storm warning in effect for Charlottesville starting Sunday evening
By Cecilia Mould | January 5, 2025Reports from the National Weather Service predict that Charlottesville will experience snow, sleet and freezing rain beginning Sunday afternoon and lasting through Monday.
