CAMPUS WATCH: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Thursday, 08/07/08 and Friday, 08/08/08. If you have any information pertaining to these incidents or any other criminal / suspicious activity, contact the UT Police Department at 512-471-4441. AT&T EXECUTIVE EDUCATION & CONFERENCE CENTER, 1900 University Assault / Criminal Trespass Warning: A staff member began to argue with his supervisor over perceived grievances. The argument escalated to the point the staff member pushed his supervisor in the chest. The staff member then became a former staff member and was asked to leave. The now former staff member returned later in the day to look for the supervisor. The police were summoned to the scene. The supervisor did not wish to file charges for the assault. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Reported on 08/07/08 at 4:40 p.m. BRACKENRIDGE APARTMENTS, 3500 Lake Austin Blvd. Burglary of Motor Vehicle: The driver's side mirror was broken out of a white Toyota Camry that was parked by building 3573. A Tomtom portable navigation device was stolen from the vehicle. The device had been affixed to the front windshield of the vehicle. Loss value: $250.00. Repair cost: $150.00. Occurred between 08/06/08 at 5:00 p.m. and 08/07/08 at 7:57 a.m. Crime Prevention Tip: Many thieves look for an easy item to steal. In this case, I venture to say the thief saw the navigation device affixed to the windshield and realized all he / she needed to do was break the window, reach in the vehicle and steal the item. Never leave your property inside your vehicle; especially in plain view for the window shopping thief. L. THEO BELLMONT HALL, 2109 San Jacinto Theft: A black hard case tool kit containing approximately 100 hand tools was stolen form an 8th floor room. Loss value: $35.00. Occurred between 08/04/08 at 4:30 p.m. and 08/07/08 at 4:30 p.m. ROBERT A. WELCH HALL, 105 East 24th Street Theft: A grey Toshiba laptop was stolen from a 4th floor office. Loss value: $1,000.00. Occurred between 08/02/08 at 8:30 p.m. and 08/07/08 at 11:36 a.m. ROBERT A. WELCH HALL, 105 East 24th Street Theft: A black leather Coach purse containing $5.00 in cash, an 8 gig Apple i-Pod nano, a 4 gig Apple i-Pod, a Sanyo mobile telephone, a set of keys, various pieces of make-up and a Kenneth Cole wallet with various credit and identification cards was stolen from an unsecured 3rd floor room. Occurred on 08/07/08 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING, 100 West Dean Keeton Cruelty to Animals: A UT staff member reported seeing a dog locked in a parked vehicle on the east side of the building. The meter next to the parked Chrysler 2-door was expired. The meters run for up to 45 minute intervals. The vehicle doors were unlocked. The officer released the dog form the vehicle and stood by with the animal. The owner of the vehicle arrived approximately 24 minutes after the original report. The owner stated he had to run an errand and lost track of time. Reported on 08/07/08 at 12:26 p.m. 2500 Whitis Assist Outside Agency: A non-UT subject was stopped for disregarding a stop sign while driving a red Chevrolet 4-door. The subject was found to have two outstanding outside agency arrest warrants for speeding. Occurred on 08/07/08 at 8:55 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 13 days left before the first day of Moove-In. There are several things that you can start doing to get your student ready. To Do List 0 Yesterday's tip involved the security at the entrances to dormitories and not allowing people to tailgate through card reader doors. Today, we turn our attention to problems inside the dormitory. Thefts from dormitory rooms frequently occur as a result of a resident leaving his or her dormitory room door unlocked or even standing open. Students must be vigilant in making sure they keep their dorm room door closed and locked – even while they are inside their dorm room. All too often, thieves will walk the halls of dormitories looking for an opportunity to make a quick buck. Remember, it only takes a few seconds to commit a theft. To further the security of your dormitory room property, make sure you have your property marked with your driver's license number and consider bringing a lockable footlocker to store your valuables. Establish expectations with your roommate regarding the security of the dormitory room. These expectations should include locking the door and never leaving invited guests in the room unattended. 08/06/08 tip 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 28 alarm calls, 2 public assists, 1 suspicious person call and 1 medical emergency between 08/07/08 and 08/08/08. 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
