I enjoy walking my dog or passing through the Lee Monument grounds after hours and using the area for recreation. Closing the circle off to public access during the evening hours would be a shame for the neighborhood and visitors to Richmond and deny us access to a safe area for evening recreation. The circle is well lit and provides a safe place for runners and dog walkers during the evening and morning hours when other streets aren't as safe and well lit. With more residents moving in to the former Lee Medical Building adjacent to the circle there will be even more demand for use of this safe green space in the evening hours. 

Closing the circle off to all access during the nighttime hours will do nothing to deter people who wish to damage the Lee circle statue and only push more of the public into dangerous situations where there isn't sufficient lighting and safe places for evening/morning access. 

The Commonwealth would be better off using their resources to add surveilance to the circle, perhaps a permanent security camera on the Lee building and using that to monitor for vandalism and also an extra pair of eyes on those of us lawfully using the circle throughout the day.