Recent acts of vandalism near 14th and 15th Streets, involving repeated incidents at one construction site, have prompted the Charlottesville Police to increase patrols in the area to target vandals.
The construction site, a housing project under development by Veliky L.C. located on 15th Street behind Coupe DeVille's, was struck for the third time after the football game Saturday, Booker Excavating owner Brad Booker said. According to Booker, rocks had shattered windows on pieces of machinery parked on the lot overnight.
The incident was the second act of vandalism committed against equipment on the site since students have returned to the University this fall. The other incidents also involved shattered windows, said Booker.
According to Booker, the vandalism began in mid-June.
"We're trying as developers and owners to upgrade neighborhoods for the University of Virginia students, and they're vandalizing things in the process," Booker said. "We're trying to do something positive for the University by creating housing for students, and this is how they repay us."
According to Booker, acts of vandalism are common in the area, as people have ripped up street signs and taken materials from construction sites before. Yesterday morning, soon after the vandalism against the machinery was reported, another incident of vandalism was reported, this one involving the removal of a piece of black rubber pipe from the property.
Sgt. Jones of the Charlottesville Police Department said police often have a difficult time making arrests in cases of vandalism.
"Vandalism is a gutless crime," Jones said, adding that it is difficult to apprehend perpetrators without witnesses who can identify the crimes.
The police said they would like to stem the tide of vandalism in the area. "We're trying to increase patrol in the area, specifically through increased bike and vehicle patrols," Charlottesville Police Officer Phillip Snoddy said, adding that he hopes these efforts will help deter crimes.
In addition to the police efforts, Booker said he would like to install surveillance cameras on the property and is offering an award of $2,500 to anyone who has information concerning the acts of vandalism.
Read More
In a changed Honor system, the Honor Committee struggles to generate engagement
By Bertie Azqueta | 17 hours agoThe Honor Committee’s public meetings have been substantially shorter this semester. This semester the Committee’s meetings have had an average length of 34 minutes compared to 50 minutes in the 2024-25 term and 47 minutes in the 2023-24 term.
Student hot-spots on the Corner raise prices in response to increased operating costs
By Lily Kostro | 17 hours agoAndy McClure, owner of The Virginian and a class of 2001 alumnus, said that the last five years have placed a strain on the restaurant business due to significant expense increases.
How does U.Va.’s agreement with the Justice Department compare to the Compact?
By Nicolas Biernacki | YesterdayWhile both the rejected Compact and the Justice Department agreement faced resistance from the University community and have several similarities, the agreement provides firmer protection for academic freedom.
