CAMPUS WATCH: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Thursday, 08-14-08 and Monday, 08-18-08. If you have any information pertaining to these incidents or any other criminal / suspicious activity, contact the UT Police Department at 512-471-4441. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 107 West Dean Keeton Theft: A Fluke DTX cable analyzer was reported stolen after being left being left unattended inside an unsecured 3rd floor room. Loss value: $12,000.00. Occurred on: 8-14-08, between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM. COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 2110 Speedway Theft: A Giant mountain bicycle (the brand, not the size of the bike), was reported stolen after being secured to the bike rack located on the north side of the building. Loss value: $250.00. Occurred on: 8-13-08, between 8:30 AM and 5:56 PM. COLORADO BUILDING, 702 Colorado Criminal Trespass Warning (3 counts): Three non-UT subjects were found rummaging through a garbage dumpster located on north side of the building. All three subjects were issued a written criminal trespass citation. Occurred on 08/17/08 at 7:00 p.m. IC2, 2815 San Gabriel Burglary of Motor Vehicle: A UT staff member reported approx. $2.50 in change had been stolen from a cup holder located inside his Chevy. During the investigation, the officer learned that the driver's side window had been left rolled down. Loss value: $2.50. Occurred on: 8-12-08, between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: It is the little things that will attract a thief. Personal items need to be put away out of sight. JESTER CENTER EAST, 203 East 21st Street Criminal Trespass Warning (4 counts): Four non-UT subjects were reported as soliciting and harassing students as they exited the dormitory. The four subjects were last seen driving away in a blue Chevrolet mini-van. The van and four occupants were found near-by. All four subjects were issued written criminal trespass warning citations. Occurred on 08/16/08 at 5:58 a.m. NURSING SCHOOL, 1710 Red River Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A non-UT subject, who was under the age of 21, was observed facing a construction fence with his hands in a position that led the officer to believe the subject could not find a restroom. The subject was found to have consumed an alcoholic beverage, but not to the point he was a danger to himself or others. Occurred on 08/17/08 at 2:23 a.m. PARKING LOT 40, 2400 Red River Graffiti: White spray paint was used to draw an image on a lamp post located in the northeast side of the parking lot. Removal cost: $50.00. Discovered on 08/15/08 at 4:35 p.m. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Theft: A maroon Mongoose XR-45 bicycle was stolen while it was secured with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the north side of the library. Loss value: $108.00. Occurred on 08/15/08 between 2:30 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: Our minimum recommendation for bicycle security is the use of a u-shaped lock that uses a flat key to lock and unlock the device. For better security, use a u-shaped lock and an independently locking cable lock to secure your bicycle to a bicycle rack. Never use a cable lock by itself – they are just to easy to cut. PETER T. FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER, #2 West Mall Theft / Credit Card Abuse: A green tri-fold wallet containing $45.00 in cash and a Visa credit card was stolen from a UT student's purse sometime between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on 08/14/08. The student stated the purse was with her the entire time she was in the building. Before the credit card could be cancelled, two charges totaling $85.00 were made on the credit card. Loss value: $50.00. Crime Prevention Tip: Theft is frequently just the beginning of a more complex crime – credit card abuse and identity theft. You should reduce your risk of such crimes by taking the following precautions: - Limit the amount of credit & debit cars you carry. Only keep those that you need. - Limit the amount and type of identifications cars you carry. You should never carry your Social Security Card with you. - Conduct regular checks of your credit history. There are several companies that provide this service. - Keep a copy of the telephone numbers for your credit & debit card companies with you, in your car and at home. Report your credit cards as lost or stolen as soon as you discover they are missing. ROBERT LEE MOORE HALL, 2515 Speedway Theft: A black Jansport backpack containing a calculator and three text books was stolen when it was left unsecured in a 4th floor lobby for approximately 5 minutes. Loss value: $400.00. Occurred on 08/17/08 between 2:00 p.m. and 2:05 p.m. SAN JACINTO PARKING GARAGE, 2401 San Jacinto Blvd Suspicious Activity: A UT staff member discovered an unknown subject had attempted to remove a tire immobilizer that had been placed on a Scion. The tire immobilizer was placed back onto the vehicle. Discovered on: 8/14/08, at 5:19 AM. UT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 1616 Guadalupe Public Intoxication (2 counts): Two non-UT subjects were found on and under a bus stop bench located on the east side of the building. The subject under the bench had evidence on his britches that he had consumed enough alcohol that he could no longer control himself. Both subjects were found to be under the influence of alcoholic beverage that they both needed to be transported by Austin-Travis County EMS for alcohol poisoning. Occurred on 08/15/08 at 11:19 p.m. 200 West 20th Street Public Intoxication / Possession of More Than One Valid Driver's License: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was observed walking in the middle of an intersection while yelling obscenities. The student had difficulty standing and following simple instructions, as he handed an officer a Freebird's Reward Card when the officer clearly asked for identification. The student also had difficulty differentiating his cell phone form his wallet. After the officer verified the student was not “Freebird,†the officer determined the student was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was a danger to himself and others. The student was also found to be in possession of another person's driver's license. The student stated he stole the driver's license from a fraternity brother and that he used the driver's license to obtain alcohol. Occurred on 08/16/08 at 2:15 a.m. 500 West 23rd Street Driving While Intoxicated / Possession of Marijuana / Possession of More Than One Valid Driver's License / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A non-UT subject was stopped for speeding while driving a grey Honda Civic. The driver was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. The driver was found in possession of a plastic bag containing less than 2 ounces of marijuana. Two glass pipes containing burned marijuana residue were found inside the vehicle. The front seat passenger, a non-UT subject who was under the age of 21, was found to have consumed alcoholic beverages. Occurred on 08/16/08 at 3:20 a.m. 1800 Colorado Driving While Intoxicated / Open Container in a Vehicle: A non-UT subject was stopped after being observed drifting between traffic lanes and coming to complete stops at several flashing yellow light intersections while driving a blue Ford Expedition. The driver was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. An open bottle of vodka was found inside the vehicle. Occurred on 08/15/08 at 3:08 a.m. 200 Jester Circle Duty Upon Striking a Fixture or Highway Landscaping: The non-UT driver of a Frieghtliner 18-wheel vehicle left the scene without leaving driver information after the truck he was driving struck a lamp post. A witness reported the collision to the police department. Repair cost: $2,500.00. Occurred on 08/15/08 at 6:10 a.m. 2200 San Jacinto Driving While Intoxicated / Public Intoxication: A non-UT subject was stopped after committing several traffic violations while driving a grey Toyota 4-Runner. The driver was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. The owner of the vehicle, a back-seat passenger and UT student, felt compelled on several occasions to interrupt the investigation to provide advice to the driver. When asked to sit on a curb, the student showed further signs of intoxication as he fell backwards. Officers attempted to release the student to the care of a responsible adult. When the student refused to listed to such person, he was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was a danger to himself. Occurred on 08/15/08 at 2:32 a.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 03 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 As new students anxiously await their first experience away form home, many people, including parents, university administrators, housing & food employees, faculty members, staff members and campus law enforcement professionals focus on campus safety issues. The University of Texas at Austin is a community. As such, it is everyone's responsibility to help maintain a safe environment for the educational process. This week we want look at some common sense safety tips. Please go over these items with your child before you drop them off. First and foremost, you should always listen to yourself. If you find yourself doing something that has you wondering “should I be doing this?†– then no; you shouldn't do what you are doing. I am confident that before most dangerous acts or behavior, the person committing such act thought “I shouldn't be doing this.†If you are immune to your own voice and don't hear yourself, solicit good friends who will be committed to keeping an eye on you just as you will keep an eye on them. Simply put, make it a habit to do things with friends. This includes, studying, shopping, going to the movies, going to a party and most importantly spending a night on the town. Always bring a sober friend with your for the party and the night on the town. The sober friend should be dedicated to make sure you do not do something you will probably regret in the morning and will care for you if you have enjoyed a little too much. Remember there is safety in numbers. 8-14-08 tip 0 For some people alcohol is used as a criminal instrument to facilitate assaults and sexual assaults. Parents, this is an important issue to be discussed. Alcohol is the number one drug used for assaults. Even if your student does not drink, there are other drugs that can be used. Help your student develop a game plan when they decide to go out to one of the many parties this up-coming semester. 08/13/08 tip 0 The charge of Driving Under the Influence is often confused by Texans as meaning a person is driving while under the influence of a drug or narcotic. In Texas, driving under the influence refers to a person who is under the age of 21 and is operating a motor vehicle with any detectable amount of alcohol coming from the driver. Any detectable amount of alcohol can include something as simple as an odor of alcohol coming from a minor's breath. As with any offense involving a minor and alcohol, the punishments are not limited to a monetary fine or confinement in jail, it can also include the suspension of one's driver's license and don't forget the visit with the Dean of Students that comes with criminal cases involving students. 08/12/08 tip 0 Yesterday's edition of the Campus Watch showed several alcohol related crimes. Today's edition is not that different. Today we would like to focus on the criminal aspect of these alcohol violations. These simple violations will impact future plans. Many employers are now considering prospective employees' past behavior prior to offering them a job. A charge of Minor in Possession (M.I.P.) means that you, being a person under the age of 21 years, have been given a citation by a police officer or Texas Alcohol Beverage Control Officer for being illegally in possession, ownership, or control of an alcoholic beverage. The principal element of this crime, which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, is that you were in possession, ownership, or control of an alcoholic beverage. A charge of Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor means that you consumed an alcoholic beverage and you are under the age of 21. The principal of this crime, which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, is that you are under the age of 21 and had consumed an alcoholic beverage. These charges are never hard to prove and can affect your ability in entering into a career of you choice. 8-11-08 tip 0 Yesterday's edition of the Campus Watch showed several alcohol related crimes. Every fall semester we see an increase in alcohol related crimes. Many of these cases involve the newest members of the UT family. Parents, take a moment before your child comes to campus to have a frank open discussion about alcohol related issues. I found a good article pertaining to this topic on the internet at: (http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/bolingbrook/opinions/x518448175/Editorial-Parents-need-to-talk-to-college-bound-kids-about-alcohol). Sadly, the legal ramifications of alcohol offenses are the least of one's worries when it comes to alcoholism, binge drinking and driving while intoxicated. The risk to one's own safety and the safety of society at large are far more important. To that end, learn the subject matter and have that discussion with your kids. As a father myself, I am hoping that kids do in fact listen. Over the course of this week, we will chronicle legal issues pertaining to alcohol. 08/08/08 tip 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. 08/07/08 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 burglaries 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 50 alarm calls, 12 unsecured door reports, 2 welfare concern reports, 2 medical emergency reports, 4 public assist requests, 1 found property report, 1 stuck elevator call, 1 suspicious package, 1 suspicious person report and 1 water leak between 08-14-08 and 08-18-08. 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 DWH & WRP To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
