Shockoe Bottom late at night.

by | May 15, 2010 | POLITICS

From the comment thread to this article.

I used to live in Shockoe Bottom, right above the Farmer’s Market. Myself and many other residents of the neighborhood begged and pleaded with the police department to resolve some of the issues that made life unpleasant at night… Everything from the nightclubs blasting music outside, to sex acts being performed in the street, to people using anything that would hold still long enough as a public urinal. Our pleas were met with “If you don’t like it, move”.

One particular Richmond Police lieutenant was threatened with having the news media contacted about the growing issue; his response: “Please don’t do that, it will make the department look bad”. The media was not contacted, but nothing was resolved.

One huge problem with dealing with these issues and enforcing laws is the fact that the police often feel that their hands are tied by the “race issue” – if any action is taken, the club owners and arrestees throw up the race card and claim they’re being picked on because they’re black.

There is a link to a video below – be cautioned, it would probably elicit an “R” rating if it were a feature film, with coarse language and the like. But, this was recorded from my old bedroom window right above the farmer’s market, and it is what we all had to live with in that area. How is this acceptable anywhere? via streetmedicine

From the comment thread to this article.

I used to live in Shockoe Bottom, right above the Farmer’s Market. Myself and many other residents of the neighborhood begged and pleaded with the police department to resolve some of the issues that made life unpleasant at night… Everything from the nightclubs blasting music outside, to sex acts being performed in the street, to people using anything that would hold still long enough as a public urinal. Our pleas were met with “If you don’t like it, move”.

One particular Richmond Police lieutenant was threatened with having the news media contacted about the growing issue; his response: “Please don’t do that, it will make the department look bad”. The media was not contacted, but nothing was resolved.

One huge problem with dealing with these issues and enforcing laws is the fact that the police often feel that their hands are tied by the “race issue” – if any action is taken, the club owners and arrestees throw up the race card and claim they’re being picked on because they’re black.

There is a link to a video below – be cautioned, it would probably elicit an “R” rating if it were a feature film, with coarse language and the like. But, this was recorded from my old bedroom window right above the farmer’s market, and it is what we all had to live with in that area. How is this acceptable anywhere? via streetmedicine

R. Anthony Harris

R. Anthony Harris

In 2005, I created RVA Magazine, and I'm still at the helm as its publisher. From day one, it’s been about pushing the “RVA” identity, celebrating the raw creativity and grit of this city. Along the way, we’ve hosted events, published stacks of issues, and, most importantly, connected with a hell of a lot of remarkable people who make this place what it is. Catch me at @majormajor____




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