RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Friday, local law enforcement held a UCI public safety update, ahead of the nearly half-a-million people expected to flock to Richmond in September for the international bike race.
One of the ways they’re preparing is by asking local businesses to report any suspicious activity.
Captain William Smith, Richmond PD’s Special Ops Commander says, “So, if someone were to go into a business and try to buy large quantities of certain materials, we would want to know about that. It might be completely normal, maybe legitimate business, but we need to know that.”
Andy Stites with Carytown Bicycle Company says he’s happy to work with police to help keep the city safe.
“Public safety is an issue when you have that many people. So, everyone’s just reaching out to the local businesses, making sure if we see anything, you know, during the event, to just be aware of what’s going on,” he says.
Richmond Police say it’s taken over four years to come up with the city’s contingency plan, but he says the key to keeping everyone out of harm’s way is prevention.
“People come forward and they will say,” Smith said. “I knew this before hand… I knew certain statements that were being made or activities that were being done before hand. And, if only that person has come forward and said something, then many of these tragedies could’ve been avoided.”
With the UCI Bike Tour fast approaching in September, many Richmonders don’t seem to be concerned.
Austin Lewis lives in the city and says, “I’ve always felt pretty safe in town already, so I’m not too worried.”
“Our city is quite diverse itself and I don’t really think we’ll have any problem,” said Jasmine Saini, a student living in Richmond.
The 2015 UCI Road World Championship tour will be in town for nine days, from Sept. 19-27.
