VCU news

By Corey Byers

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Police Department is moving to a new headquarters at 224 E. Broad St., effective Thursday, Oct. 13. The move positions the department an equal distance from the university’s two Richmond campuses.

VCUPD has been located at 938 W. Grace St. for more than a decade. Chief John Venuti wanted to anchor a new public safety operations building between the Monroe Park and MCV Campuses.

“We were fortunate to find the right-sized facility at the right location,” said Venuti. “Officers will continue to patrol both campuses and respond to calls for service around the clock. The people and places of VCU continue to be our focus.”

The people and places of VCU continue to be our focus.

VCU’s investment in the new facility provides more work and training space for staff, better technology and centralized emergency operations space for Virginia’s largest campus law enforcement agency.

“This new facility accommodates the growth of our police operations and safety programs so we can better serve both campuses,” Venuti said.

VCU Police administrative staff, sworn officers, emergency dispatchers and academy recruits will be moving in phases throughout the second week of October.

Patrols on both campuses will continue 24/7 and there will be no disruption in service for emergency calls or responses.

“Our resources will solely be focused on both campuses,” Venuti said.

Public access to the 938-A W. Grace St. headquarters will end at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13. An Emergency Response Telephone is accessible outside this location and can be used to call VCU Police at any time to request an officer or ask for assistance.   

The new headquarters facility will be accessible by using a new RamRide stop at Marshall and 3rd streets until 1 a.m. every day. The stop is near the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The facility is also accessible by using RamSafe from the Monroe Park Campus or MCV Campus transports between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.

VCU students, faculty and staff can submit RamSafe requests at ramsafe.vcu.edu or by calling (804) 828-SAFE (7233). Faculty, staff and students on the MCV Campus should continue to call (804) 828-WALK (9255) for MCV Campus transports. 

As always, students, faculty, staff and Richmond residents can contact VCU Police by calling (804) 828-1234 for emergencies, (804) 828-1196 for non-emergencies or by using the free LiveSafe app.

A grand opening ceremony and media tours are being planned for future dates. Additional details on the features in the new facility will be released in a VCU News article and on VCUPD social media sites in the weeks ahead.