The University of Virginia community received the following update regarding safety and security measures in advance of the one-year anniversary of the violence of August 2017.
Date: August 8, 2018
From: Patrick D. Hogan and Gloria S. Graham
Subject Line: Community Update #3 – Preparations for Aug. 8 – 13
Members of the University community,
This is the third in a series of updates from us on what we know about this weekend and what you can expect. Our top priority remains keeping the community safe, and we’re doing that in a few ways.
Law enforcement presence
We continue to work with the city of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and state and national law enforcement. As part of our preparations, you will begin to see more law enforcement on Grounds and around town – including some members of the team who will be staying in University housing throughout the weekend so they can respond quickly to an emergency. In some cases, these officers will be given assignments that require them to wear personal protective equipment.
The job of law enforcement will be to address illegal behavior, and do so in a way that is impartial, responsible, reasonable, and fair.
Emergency declaration
To make sure we can respond quickly to whatever happens, the city, county and state have declared a local state of emergency. This declaration is another way to be proactive and to make sure we have every resource at our disposal in case of an emergency. At this point it has not altered the University’s operations, and any changes to the operating schedule due to an emergency or other public safety issue will be posted on the University’s Operation Status Board website.
Increased security
Security will be tighter for public university events and activities this weekend, including Saturday morning’s ticketed event at Old Cabell Hall. As part of these restrictions, the following items will not be allowed on University property between now and Monday, August 13th at 7am.
BB Guns, Pellet Guns, Air Rifles or Pistols, Paintball Guns, Nun Chucks, Tasers, Stun Guns, Heavy Gauge Metal Chains, Lengths of Lumber or Wood, Poles, Bricks, Rocks, Metal Beverage or Food Cans or Containers (used for any purpose other than consumption of food or drinks), Glass Bottles, Axes, Axe Handles, Hatchets, Ice Picks, Acidic or Caustic Materials, Hazardous or Flammable or Combustible Liquids, Skateboards, Swords, Knives, Daggers, Razor Blades or Other Sharp Items, Metal Pipes, Pepper or Bear Spray, Mace, Aerosol Sprays, Catapults, Wrist Rockets, Bats, Sticks, Clubs, Drones, Explosives, Fireworks, Open Fire or Open Flames, and Any Other Item Considered an “Implement of Riot.”
Items like glass bottles, metal beverage and food containers, and personal toiletries will be allowed as long as they’re being used for their intended purpose.
Access restrictions
Access to the following areas will be limited starting now and continuing through the weekend:
- Certain areas of the upper plaza surrounding the Jefferson statue on the north side of the Rotunda will be restricted until Monday, August 13th at 7am.
- On Saturday August 11th, access to the Lawn will be limited to residents and attendees for the ticketed event between 6am and 12pm.
- Activities and events in the Academical Village, Rotunda and North Plaza will be subject to higher security until Monday, August 13th at 7am. This includes extending the existing prohibition of firearms to the North Plaza until Monday, August 13th at 7am.
- The City of Charlottesville has posted information about road closures and restricted areas on its website. If you expect to be downtown, please be sure to check this webpage for answers to questions and other updates.
You can find more information about both increased security and access restrictions here.
Notifications and sharing information
In case of emergency, the University will notify people through text and email alerts, as well as screens across Grounds. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to subscribe toUVA Alerts through the Office of Safety and Emergency Preparedness website. The University has also set up a dedicated UVA Today webpage with all official University communications.
You can also follow the UVA Office of Safety and Emergency Preparedness Twitter account (@UVASafety) for important safety updates. The University’s official Twitter (@UVA) and Facebook accounts will also be sharing information.
If you see something you are concerned about, you can submit an anonymous tip to UVA Police online or via SMS text message or use the Just Report It tool.
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