A mammoth piece of construction equipment sits in the middle of a deserted lot on Gordon Avenue. Its front window has been knocked out, and until Monday morning, beer cans littered the ground. As of yesterday, no arrests had been made.
It is not clear whether the vandals of the Gordon Avenue site were University or Charlottesville community members.
At an undetermined time over the weekend, perpetrators also stole tools from the Gordon Avenue site and broke the front window of a piece of construction equipment.
Damages totaled $5,000, according to the construction company owner, who wished to remain nameless. The owner is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals.
With students returning en masse to Charlottesville, a new chapter begins in the storied history of student-Charlottesville Police relations, presently characterized by both school and police officials as "pleasant."
"We've have some years that are not as good as others," Charlottesville Police Lt. Gary Pleasants said. "These past few years have been very good. I'd say these last three years have been the best."
Pleasants, a 24-year police veteran and liaison between the University and the Charlottesville Police Department, confronts the brunt of weekend student drinking -- often holding over additional personnel to patrol high drinking areas.
"I believe Charlottesville police give our students a lot of latitude," said Aaron Laushway, associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life. "I'd like to think the students realize that."
Laushway said he would hope students would uphold city ordinances regarding noise and behavior.
In an e-mail sent to all Inter-Fraternity Council and Inter-Sorority Council presidents yesterday, Laushway addressed recent incidents that he said are not in keeping with this standard of behavior.
Over the weekend, several first years allegedly became extremely intoxicated -- two to the point of needing medical care at the Emergency Department of the Medical Center. A couch also was set on fire in the Mad Bowl.
Addressing the boundaries on collegiate drinking, Pleasants said police will not arrest students who are drinking if they are in houses or on private property. Once revelers step onto the street or city sidewalks, however, they may be approached if they possess alcohol.
"Obviously we cannot and will not allow the streets to be blocked," Pleasants said. "If we have a problem, we will arrest people."
Annually, police write approximately 300 summons for alcohol violations. The number issued can vary substantially weekend to weekend. During more active partying weekends, police can write up to 30 citations.
A point of contention in communities where both students and non-students live, noise levels are constantly on police radar screens. Police typically allow students to party at reasonable levels.
"Unless something is extremely loud, we generally don't do anything unless we receive a complaint," Pleasants said, but added that he will issue summons to partiers who are uncooperative.
"If they are truly trying to help and bring it under control, we don't issue a summons," he said.
The latitude police afford to students has helped foster an amiable relationship, Laushway said.
"There is a lot of interaction," he said. "Generally speaking, that interaction is pleasant and mutually respectful."
Read More
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | Yesterday"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
Faculty Senate Executives hear from Rector Sheridan and Vice Rector Wilkinson
By Xander Tilock and Grace Traxler | 2 days agoRectors were in attendance for part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting and were asked about the interim president selection process.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
By Brendon Bordwine | 3 days agoThe University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes.
