Councilperson’s 5th District Holiday Party

From email announcement:

Dear Neighbors:

The 5th District Holiday party will take place on this Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Virginia War Memorial- 621 S Belvidere St. All 5th district residents are invited and no RSVP is required. We will be collecting unwrapped toys, books and clothing for children in the Richmond area that are in need. All toys will be donated to the City of Richmond and Radio One Annual Toy Drive. We look forward to seeing you Wednesday!

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Grove Ave. Robbery Suspect At Belvidere 7-11

From Richmond Police:

November 25, 2015

Suspect Sought in Robbery on Grove Avenue

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect in a robbery that occurred last week on Grove Avenue.

A few minutes after midnight on November 20, officers responded to the 2100 block of Grove Avenue in reference to a robbery. The victim reported that while walking along Rowland Street, she was approached by a man who pushed her down and attempted to take her purse. When she did not immediately let go, the suspect struck her again then took the bag.

The suspect got into an older model white sedan, which fled on Rowland Street toward Hanover Avenue. He is described as a black male in his early 20s.

Within an hour of the robbery, the suspect used the victim’s bank card at two 7-Eleven stores located at 11 West Grace St. and 122 S. Belvidere St. He was captured on surveillance video at both stores.

Anyone who has information about this person is asked to call Third Precinct Detective William Cutshall at (804) 646-1068 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Suspect 1

Harassment At Idlewood and Belvidere

Richmond Times Dispatch column receives letter about the homeless people who hang out at the crossing of Byrd (Idlewood)and Belvedere streets.

They harass me by yelling expletives and walking menacingly toward me (they never ask for money — it’s mostly vulgar catcalls), and I started feeling so unsafe that I modified my route (adding about 10 minutes to my commute) so I could avoid that corner.

The columnist contacted the police about the situation.

Lepley also said that anyone can call the nonemergency number at (804) 646-5100 to report harassment and ask for the sector lieutenant to call back regarding the issue.
One more salient point from the reader’s email:
“What can I do about this issue? I feel really sorry for them, but I just don’t feel safe and I would like to be able to walk to work without fear of facing these really scary situations every morning,” she wrote.

Belvidere Street Mural At Planning Commission Friday

The City Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on August 21 at 10:00 am in the 5th Floor Conference Room at City Hall. The agenda includes the review of plans for a mural on the Belvidere Street wall separating the Parsons Linear Park in Oregon Hill from the sidewalk. This mural project related to the UCI bike race has been approved by the RVA Public Art Commission. The artists of the project include Ed Trask, Greig Leach, Matt Lively, and Hamilton Glass.