CAMPUS WATCH: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Wednesday, 08/06/08 and Thursday, 08/07/08. If you have any information pertaining to these incidents or any other criminal / suspicious activity, contact the UT Police Department at 512-471-4441. ATHLETIC FIELDS PAVILION, 2336 North IH-35 Criminal Trespass Warning: During an organized UT athletics practice, a non-UT subject began to take photographs of the athletes. A staff member asked the subject to leave as photography was prohibited during the practice. The subject left only to return a short time later with camera in hand. While a picture is worth a thousand words, UT's finest got the point across in just a few words with the issuance of a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 08/06/08 at 8:14 p.m. CLAUDIA T. JOHNSON HALL, 210 West 6th Street Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found sleeping on a bench located on the east side of the building. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 08/07/08 at 2:34 a.m. NEURAL AND MOLECULAR SCIENCE BUILDING, 2506 Speedway Theft: A brown canvas purse containing a cellular telephone and a black leather wallet with $100.00 in cash, a checkbook, various credit cards and a Texas driver's license was stolen from an unsecured 5th floor office. The owner of the purse left the office unsecured as she was just across the hallway from the office. Loss value: $250.00. Occurred on 08/06/08 between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. ROBERT LEE MOORE HALL, 2515 Speedway Theft: A zipper pouch containing an address book, a cellular telephone and a wallet containing $25.00 in cash and various credit, debit and identification cards was stolen from an unsecured 7th floor office. During the time frame of the theft, the owner left the office and returned a short time later to find a female subject exiting the office. The subject stated she was looking for someone. While the owner of the property was helping the subject look for the person, the subject stated she needed to use the restroom and left the area. The subject was described as a black female in her late 20's, of average build and had her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Loss value: $140.00. Occurred on 08/06/08 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. 2000 San Jacinto Leaving the Scene Collision: An unknown vehicle struck the right side of a legally parked and unattended grey 2006 Chevrolet 4-door. The driver of the striking vehicle left the scene without leaving driver information. Repair cost: $1,500.00. Occurred on 08/06/08 between 5:00 p.m. and 7:54 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip of the Day: For the parents of this year's incoming freshman class, the countdown for the fall 2008 semester has started. There are 14 days left before the first day of Moove-In. There are several things that you can start doing to get your student ready. Today's To Do List 0 Dormitory Security is always a concern. Access into the dormitories is controlled by a card reader. This security is only as good as the weakest link. In many cases the weakest link is the person who allows unauthorized people into these restricted areas by holding the door open for the stranger following them into the dormitory. As you are getting your student ready for college, take a minute to remind them that while they were in high school they were not allowed to let total strangers into your house. This same rule should still apply to their dormitory; after all, their dormitory will now be their primary residence. 08/06/08 tip 0 During parent's orientation, there was a steady flow of questions that pertained to laptop computers and computer security. There are several things that can be done to ensure that your laptop computer is secure. Simply lock your dormitory room when you leave for a couple of minutes. And when you find yourself studying in a public area, don't leave your property unattended. If your computer is stolen there are a couple of things you can do, prior to the theft. Engrave your property with your driver's license number on two surfaces that are plainly visible. You can borrow an electric engraver from many law enforcement agencies, including The University of Texas at Austin Police Department. Also consider installing tracking software. Such programs have aided several stolen laptop recoveries. Do an internet check for laptop tracking software and find a program that fulfills your needs. 08/05/08 tip 0 For years UT has averaged more Auto thefts than you might realize. Cars are stolen on a monthly basis. What is one thing all car thefts have in common? Ease of committing the theft. For that reason, UTPD has several recommendations for your vehicle's protection. Number one, park your vehicle in areas of high traffic. Vehicular and foot traffic provides natural surveillance of your vehicle. Next, use a steering wheel locking device on your vehicle. This serves as a visual deterrent to auto thieves. Steering wheel locks can be seen from outside the vehicle; making a thief wonder how quickly he or she can steal your car. Have a “Kill Switch†installed in your car. These devices prevent your vehicle from being turned on or from driving for a great distance if your car is stolen. Most automobile alarm shops can install a kill switch in your car. Speaking of automobile alarm shops, I recently heard of an alarm system that takes a digital picture of the interior of your car seconds after it is illegally entered. The picture is sent to your cell phone. This lets you know when your car was broken into and provides a visual image of the offender. Finally, consider buying a GPS tracking system for your vehicle. As always, do not leave any items inside your vehicle, as auto burglary happen way more than auto thefts. 08/04/08 tip 0 The "To Do List" is starting to get long, but that is not a problem. So far everything has been common sense and using good judgment. Many students are looking forward to bringing their cars. Auto burglary and auto theft are a concern on every campus. Many of the auto thefts start out as an auto burglary. Do not allow your student to use their vehicle as a storage facility. Keep all personal property stored out of sight, after it has been properly marked with a driver's license number. 8/1/08 tip 0 After marking all of your student's property with their driver's license number or State issued ID number, take some time and talk. Find out what their expectations of college are. With the remaining time we will be addressing some of your concerns. 7-31-08 tip 0 Mark all of your property with your State issued driver's license number. Remember, property thefts are the number 1 crime at UT. Look into a two-lock locking system when securing your bicycle on campus. This locking system will incorporate a U-shaped lock that uses a flat key. The second lock used will be a self-locking cable lock. You are now requiring the thief to use two separate tools in order to steal your property. Now take a few minutes and go online and register your bicycle with UT Parking and Transportation: www.utexas.edu/parking/transportation/biking/bicycle_register.php CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, The University of Texas Police Department responded to 24 alarm calls, 1 public assist, 1 stuck elevator, 1 suspicious person, 2 welfare concerns, 1 medical emergency, 2 lighting surveys and 4 unsecured door reports between 08/06/08 and 08/07/08. 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
