VCU news

By Corey Byers

The Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department unveiled a new noise suppression unit today to step up efforts in the ongoing battle against noisy parties around VCU’s Monroe Park Campus.

The unit – a van equipped with audio and video recording equipment – will be used to deter VCU students who continually ignore warnings about hosting loud, disruptive events off campus. The van is outfitted with eye-catching graphics and VCU Police logos – a design that will be very visible in local neighborhoods.

The new, innovative vehicle will serve as both a deterrent to suppress noise problems and a monitor for problem properties. Readings from the vehicle’s sound meters (which measure decibel levels) and video footage may be used to pursue charges for noise violations and may be used as evidence for VCU Code of Conduct violations.

“A primary focus for VCU is the quality of life for those living nearby,” VCU Police Chief John Venuti said today. “This vehicle allows the university to be even more responsive and proactive about handling and suppressing excessive noise in surrounding neighborhoods.”

The van is the department’s way of adding another step in the routine process of handling noise complaints. The VCU Police Department has a dedicated external relations officer who verifies complaints, educates students on their responsibilities as renters, will notify landlords of ongoing issues and, in some cases, assists landlords with evictions. The van was paid for using asset forfeiture funds from drug investigations. The total cost was $13,000 for the van, exterior wrap and electronics. No student monies were used.

During the most recent academic year, VCU Police visited 186 residences after receiving complaints about loud parties. Due to excessive noise complaints, the department also assisted with 57 evictions locally - 43 of which involved VCU students.

The noise suppression vehicle will be used to monitor residences that do not respond to multiple warnings from law enforcement officers.

“We use a scaled approach to address noise issues; the van will be used in what we consider to be the most extreme cases of noise violations,” Venuti said. “When we have ongoing reports of problems at specific houses or apartments, students and neighbors can expect to see the vehicle deployed nearby.”

The VCU Police Department is committed to collaboration within, and outside of, the university to address noise issues throughout the year. The department actively works with VCU’s Division of Student Affairs, the Richmond Police Department, local neighborhood and civic groups in the city and VCU’s fraternities and sororities.