The Farmville area is known to be a relatively safe community. With a population of just over 8,000, crime isn’t a large issue. Although, when you include the additional student population of Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College, it does become a common topic of discussion.
“I would say we are well under the national and state average for crime in the commonwealth, so we’re safe,” says Robert Beach, Chief of Longwood Police. “Eighty percent of a person’s safety and well-being rest with them, with their understanding of the circumstances around them, with their self awareness and their ability to be aware of their surroundings.”
The Longwood Police Department (LUPD), as well as the Farmville Police Department (FPD), are working together to make it easier for the community to track crime in the area.
Chief Beach predicts that by Christmas break a system will be in place making public information more transparent, meaning you would be able to look at all of the crime data for both Longwood and the Town of Farmville enabling people to track it themselves.
“As soon as Chief Davis and I finish putting together the technology, within 24 hours of every event or crime we will have it posted and available online.”
This will help the two departments to analyze trends in local crime in hopes of handling these issues more rapidly and effectively.
Tips from Chief Beach
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Humble yourself to do the right thing as opposed to doing what you feel you want to do
• Participate in Coffee with the Chief every second Tuesday of the month in Java City at 3 p.m.
• Be aware of those who will take advantage of you and those who want to find crimes of opportunity
You will run into people who will come on campus and find students who they can befriend so they can have access to places on campus.
“I’m not saying don’t be friends with the local populous. Just be cautious,” says Chief Beach. “We had a student who had a friend for a month or two and he gives this friend his ID card which gives him access to his resident hall and certain academic buildings, when this student goes to class to come back and find his Wii system and TV gone.”
• If it seems too good to be true or something just doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
• Follow LUPD on social media. Twitter: @Longwoodpolice Facebook: Longwood University Police Department
• Pay attention to public safety events streamed from the LUPD website as well. http://www.longwood.edu/police/index.html
• Sign up for the LiveSafe App where you can report crime and reach out for help when needed.
“This is brand new this year and it’s a big help,” says Chief Beach. “For example, part of the app allows you to say ‘I’m at Lancer Park and I feel uncomfortable walking alone, can you send an escort?’ and we will either send the student security organization (Night Walkers Program) or we will send a police officer.”
• Sign up for Campus Alerts.
• Know the university policies about underage alcohol use.
“If we find out you have violated these we will hold you accountable, but if they are truthful, respectful and not a danger to themselves or others, we will try as best we can to hold them accountable in a way that is not ‘life destroying’,” says Chief Beach.
Be careful while getting adjusted and remember it can take time to become acclimated to a new environment. Don’t be afraid to talk to the Farmville or Longwood PD, they are always willing to help and assist individuals.
