VCUPD ‘referees’ hit the streets for pedestrian safety

By Jake Burns
VCU Police

VCU Police are bringing back a fan-favorite initiative to help address a key issue on campus: pedestrian safety.

On Tuesday, March 17, VCU Police officers dressed as referees, and sporting whistles and flags, will be out on Virginia Commonwealth University's Monroe Park Campus to draw attention to unsafe pedestrian habits and engage community members on the issue. VCU Police led a similar initiative in 2023.

WHO: VCU Police

WHAT: "Referee" pedestrian safety event

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, at noon (media availability at 11:30 a.m.)

WHERE: 900 block of West Main Street (near large VCU letters)

Officers will flag pedestrian "fouls" in a light-hearted manner, distribute travel safety material and award those who cross appropriately with prizes.

Pedestrian safety remains a top focus for VCU Police, VCU, VCU Health and community partners. Travelers are encouraged to practice safe habits every time they move through campus or the city by eliminating distractions and remaining alert.

Many drivers near VCU exhibit dangerous habits. During Operation Safer Streets, a targeted traffic enforcement initiative launched in January, VCU Police have issued more than 1,400 traffic summonses in seven weeks, including 562 speeding violations, 157 red light violations, 193 violations for failure to obey highway signs and more than 450 traffic-related offenses.

"VCU Police firmly believes that one serious injury or one loss of life is one too many," said Traffic Division officer Kynneath Moss. "Through education, enforcement, engineering partnerships and community engagement, we are committed to taking a proactive approach that prioritizes traffic safety and fosters a culture of shared responsibility.".

Members of the media are encouraged to attend. Interviews with VCU Police Traffic Division officers and Chief Clarence T. Hunter Jr. will occur beginning at 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP to Jake Burns, VCU Police public information officer, at the contact points above if your outlet plans to attend.

Officers will be conducting the referee initiative multiple times in upcoming weeks on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.