CAMPUS WATCH: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Friday, 05-30-08 and Monday 06-02/08. ASHBEL SMITH HALL, 201 West 7th Street Graffiti: A white paint pen was used to write numbers and letters on a handrail to an exterior set of stairs. Removal cost: $40.00. Discovered on 05/30/08 at 2:45 a.m. CENTENNIAL PARK, 1500 Red River Assist Outside Agency: A non-UT subject was observed entering the creek bed and walking under a roadway bridge. The subject was found to have an outstanding outside agency arrest warrant for the possession of drug paraphernalia. Occurred on 05/30/08 at 3:30 p.m. CLAUDIA TAYLOR JOHNSON, 210 West 6th Street Disorderly Conduct (Fighting in a Public Place): Two non-UT subjects were observed fighting on an outdoor plaza. While both subjects were engaged in the fight, neither one wished to file charges for assault. Occurred on 06/01/08 at 2:16 a.m. Criminal Law Information: In this case, both parties could have been filed on for assault. Because neither party wished to file such a complaint, the officer could look at another option which would be the filing disorderly conduct / fighting in a public place charges. This charge can be filed by the officer without either party making a complaint. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Theft: A tip jar containing an unknown amount of cash was stolen form a food vendor cart on the arena level of the event center during a high school graduation ceremony. The thief had just been served a smoothie by the vendor prior to committing the theft. A conscientious patron at the graduation ceremony later reported a suspicious subject sitting in the stands while in possession of a tip jar. The subject was positively identified by the vendor as the person she had served just prior to the theft. Recovered value: $11.00. Occurred on 05/31/08 at 12:45 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: This case illustrates just how little time is needed for a thief to take advantage of an opportunity. In this case, the vendor was present during the theft. All the thief needed was for the vendor to look away for just a second; then – swipe, the tip jar is gone. Another point of interest is the value of people reporting suspicious activity and people. The reporting person in this case played a major role in solving the theft. Without that person's observation and prompt reporting, the thief may well have gotten away. Report suspicious or criminal activity to the police department as soon as possible. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. IC2 INSTITUTE, 2815 San Gabriel Theft: A black 40 gig i-Pod was stolen from an unsecured desk drawer. While taking this report, a staff member discovered the theft of another item (see below). Loss value: $100.00. Occurred between 05/16/08 and 05/30/08. Crime Prevention Tip: See Below IC2 INSTITUTE, 2815 San Gabriel Theft: A grey nylon bag containing a Canon Powershot A4 digital camera, a USB cord and a camera charger was stolen from either underneath a desk in an unsecured office cubicle or an unsecured filing cabinet in an unsecured office cubicle. Loss value: $50.00. Occurred between 5/16/08 and 05/30/08. Crime Prevention Tip: See Below RED AND CHARLINE MCCOMBS FIELD, 2001 Comal Theft: A Kodak digital camera was stolen when it was left under a seat while the owner went to the concession stands during a softball game. Loss value: $100.00. Occurred on 06/01/08 between 9:45 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: See Below UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE BUILDING, 1701 Manor Graffiti: Red spray paint was used to write words and draw an image on the south exterior wall surrounds the trash dumpsters. Removal cost: $50.00. Occurred between 05/21/08 at 7:45 p.m. and 06/01/08 at 1:10 p.m. WALTER WEBB HALL, 2500 Guadalupe Graffiti: Black spray paint was used to write a word and draw a symbol on the northwest exterior wall of the building. Removal cost: $50.00. Occurred between 05/29/08 at 5:18 p.m. and 06/01/08 at 11:42 a.m. WEST MALL OFFICE BUILDING, #3 West Mall Theft: A black purse containing a red Valentino Coupeau wallet, a driver's license, UTID card, Insurance card, social security card, 3 debit / credit cards, 1 permanent resident card, a checkbook, 1 USB jumpdrive, $50.00 in US currency, an unknown amount of new Taiwan dollars and a cellular telephone was stolen from an unsecured desk drawer in an unsecured 6th floor office. Shortly after taking the report, the officer was advised the purse was found in a 5th floor men's restroom trashcan. The only item missing from the purse was the currency. Loss value: $50.00 US; unknown amount of Taiwan dollars. Occurred on 05/30/08 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: See Below 2100 Guadalupe Driving While Intoxicated: A non-UT subject was observed driving at night in a silver Toyota Tacoma without its headlamps turned on. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 05/31/08 at 12:58 a.m. 2600 Guadalupe Driving While Intoxicated: A black 2006 Jeep Liberty was observed swerving into and out of a lane of traffic, waiting at a standing green light and accelerating its tires from a stopped position to the point its wheels spun. The driver of the vehicle, a non-UT subject, stopped several blocks after the officer initiated the patrol car's overhead lights. The subject handed the officer his driver's license and a credit card when asked for his proof of insurance. The subject then pointed to a near-by restaurant and stated he lived there. The subject stated he did not feel safe driving home and asked for a cab. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 06/02/08 at 3:00 a.m. 2300 Red River Driving While Intoxicated / Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle: A UT police officer attempted to stop a red 2002 Ford Mustang being driven by a non-UT subject for occupying both the southbound and northbound lanes of traffic. Prior to stopping, the driver came to a stop in the northbound lanes of traffic at a green light. The driver then drove an additional three blocks in the on-coming lanes of traffic before stopping. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Two open, partially full and cold cans of beer were found inside the subject's vehicle. Occurred on 06/01/08 at 3:00 a.m. 300 West Martin Luther King Driving While Intoxicated: A non-UT subject was attempting to drive a purple 2006 Toyota in a normal fashion, but was unsuccessful as he sped through a red light, sat at a subsequent green light and had extreme difficulty maintaining a single lane of traffic. The subject displayed several classic sign of intoxication during the traffic stop and was found to under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 05/30/08 at 2:40 a.m. Crime Prevention Tip of The Day: Today there were several thefts reported in which property was left unattended and unsecured. This type of theft happens daily. Many thieves know that universities provide ample opportunity to commit thefts and fund their lifestyles. In my years of experience, I can assure you I know of a plethora of cases in which a thief will enter a building during business hours (a time when most offices are open), walk around the building and look for the opportunity of an office being unattended. All it takes is a few seconds for a thief to enter an office, open a desk drawer and leave with stolen property. Here are a few tips all of us can implement to help prevent this: - Keep your office door closed and locked when you are not in the office; even if you stepped out just for a second. - Never leave your personal property unsecured. - If you see someone wandering around the building, provide them with good customer service by asking if you can help them. Experience tells me a thief will tell you he or she is looking for the restroom or a certain person's office (the thief may have gotten a staff member's name off of an office listing board commonly found in building lobbies). Tell the person you will show them to the place they needed to go to. Most thieves would then tell you they will come back later and leave the area. - Report suspicious or criminal activity immediately to UTPD at 512-471-4441. Feel free to program this number into your cell phone so you will always have it with you. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, The University of Texas Police Department responded to 18 alarm calls, 2 suspicious person calls, 5 public assist calls, 1 lighting problem and 1 medical emergency, between 05-30-08 and 06-02-08. If you are a faculty or staff member that has been affected by a crime, the UT Employee Assistance Program (471-3366) is available for counseling and referrals to other appropriate services. http://www.utexas.edu/hr/eap/ To view a map of the campus visit: http://www.utexas.edu/parking/maps/index.html RAD Program For Women, Now Available (Classes are FREE) Advanced RAD Classes Being Held for RAD Class Graduates The RAD program is a 16-hour course of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women that covers assault prevention and risk reduction while progressing on to basic hands-on defense training. http://www.utexas.edu/police/rad/ Defensive Driving: Learn Defensive Driving from a UTPD Police Officer. UTPD generally schedules a Defensive Driving Class approximately once a month – based on need. The classes meet in the University Police Building, Room 1.318, located at 2201 Robert Dedman Dr (east of Memorial Stadium). The cost for the course is $25.00 (check or cash) payable on class date. If paying in cash, please bring the exact amount because change may not be available. You will also need to bring your driver's license. For more information, to check for the next available class time or to register on-line go to: http://www.utexas.edu/police/services/defensive_driving.php Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) The Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) is a partnership among the Office of the Dean of Students, Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). BCAL provides a central resource for UT faculty, students, and staff who may have concerns about the behavior or well-being of another member of the campus community. By calling BCAL at 512-232-5050, callers may talk with trained staff members who will assist the caller in exploring available options and strategies as well as referrals to appropriate campus support networks. For more information on BCAL, visit the BCAL Web site at www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal or call 512-232-5050. Contact UT Police at 471-4441 if you have any information regarding any of the above incidents or call 911 regarding suspicious persons, suspicious activities or crime. Your call may help solve or prevent a crime. Campus Watch comments should be directed to Officer Darrell Halstead at 512-232-9634 or Darrell.halstead@austin.utexas.edu . Prepared by WRP To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
