UVA hate crime prevention
The University of Virginia Department of Safety and Security and the UVA Police Department have partnered to organize multiple hate crime prevention events.
UVA has been a hotbed for hateful criminal activity, from the August 11, 2017, “Unite the Right” tiki torch rally on Grounds, to the more recent noose placed on the Lawn’s Homer statue.
The university first provided officers with hate crime training so they can better address cases. Now, they are presenting that information to the public.
Transparency and an understanding of practical application were at the forefront of designing these trainings. “We made sure all of our trainings tell a significant story,” says UVA Police Department Diversity Officer Cortney Hawkins.
“Officers and the UVA community will also have the chance to hear from victims so they’ll get to hear conversations from individuals who have experienced hate crimes and have been impacted by it,” adds UPD member Dani Lawson.
By addressing real-life hate crimes, people and officers easily identify future ones. “A lot of times people don’t know that that should be reported as a hate crime and why it’s important to have that labeled as a hate crime,” Hawkins says.
Participants will receive 26 hours of Department of Criminal Justice Services credit—training required to become an officer in Virginia—in the career development, diversity, equity, inclusion, and legal areas.
Current crime-prevention measures include two self-defense classes (one for women and one co-ed); educational seminars on general safety and security, alcohol awareness, illegal drugs, hazing, sexual assault prevention and self defense; and security surveys.
“We understand that we are not building trust, we are attaining trust,” says Hawkins.
The trainings will be held August 9-10 and September 12-13.
NFL honors slain UVA players
Before the first pick of the 2023 NFL draft was announced on April 27, the league held a special ceremony to honor the University of Virginia football players who were killed in November.
Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry were named honorary 2023 season first draft picks. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell handed each player’s family a No. 23 jersey, and posed for photos. Chandler’s family received a Jaguars jersey, Davis’ a Ravens jersey, and Perry’s a Dolphins jersey.
“With the first picks in the 2023 NFL draft,” said Goodell, “we welcome to the NFL family, D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis, and Devin Chandler of the University of Virginia.”
UVA Head Coach Tony Elliott and Athletics Director Carla Williams were both at the ceremony. “Overjoyed and thankful to @NFLDraft for honoring three beautiful souls and their amazing families,” Williams tweeted.
In brief
Resignation demanded
The Virginia NAACP is calling for the resignation of Martin Brown, the state’s chief diversity officer, following his statement, “DEI is dead.” Brown made the remark during a speech at the Virginia Military Institute’s annual inclusive excellence training. Since the NAACP’s rebuke of Brown, several others have joined the organization in demanding his resignation, including the Virginia speaker of the House of Delegates, AAPI Caucus, the Legislative Black Caucus, and the Latino Caucus.
Scholarships awarded
On May 6, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia will award $1,000 scholarships to 42 African American high school seniors from the Charlottesville area. The recipients have all achieved at least a 3.0 GPA, participated in 100 Black Men community programs, and will begin college in the fall of 2023. Students from 11 different high schools will be honored.
Youngkin in Asia
Gov. Glenn Youngkin visited Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea last week in a trip aimed at bolstering “supply chain relationships” and international investments in Virginia. During his trip, Youngkin met President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. This was Youngkin’s first visit to Asia as governor.
Expunge this
Charlottesville CitySpace held an expungement clinic on Friday, April 28. Attendees had all charges that did not result in a conviction erased from their record. Only through filing a petition in the circuit court of the jurisdiction where citizens were charged can a person start the expungement process. The commonwealth’s attorney then receives a copy of the petition and can object if necessary.