Even when they are in a workspace with other people, they are still going to isolate themselves for safety purposes and to prevent exposure, and any human contact is greatly appreciated.” “It’s that higher level of isolation people are feeling because of the pandemic. “Some of the staff have really enjoyed seeing us and wish they could see us more,” Dawson said. He noted some buildings have open access, versus others that are access controlled, meaning authorized individuals use VCU ID cards to swipe in. VCU’s urban campus has a high population and buildings with main entryways along busy thoroughfares. Douglas Dawson explained how certain locations may be prone to unauthorized access. While visiting a building along North Belvidere Street, VCU Police Sgt. “At times, we know that one, or a few employees, may be the only ones in the building, and so it made sense to have officers checking in.” “We’ve gotten feedback and people have noticed an increased police presence,” Venuti said. Officers logged each visit and how many students, faculty and staff they spoke with, which totaled more than 6,500 individuals. Officers also visited VCU’s parking lots and decks and facilities at VCU Medical Center. Venuti enrolled all patrol, academy and community policing officers, along with detectives and supervisors, to touch base with staff at front desks and conduct foot patrols throughout academic, administrative, residential and general-use facilities. The changes aren’t bad in and of themselves, but it does mean fewer eyes may be on those coming and going in the workplace.” “Work habits have changed as people have kept their doors closed more, or they telework.
“Typically we have patrol officers conducting property checks as part of their duties, but this was an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Venuti said.
Venuti considered the conversations in the wider context of the changing workplace at VCU and decided to implement a “property blitz” for the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, in which VCU Police officers made more than 2,400 property checks between Feb. In addition, the police department had received requests for increased visibility of police in VCU’s facilities. John Venuti, VCU’s chief of police and associate vice president for public safety, said concerns about fewer people in buildings, and unauthorized access, came up in a recent conversation with Beth Angell, Ph.D., dean of the School of Social Work. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking, online courses and hybrid schedules for Virginia Commonwealth University students and employees changed how the university is using its academic and administrative buildings.
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