Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Wednesday, 09-24-08 and Thursday, 09-25-08. If you have any information pertaining to any of these cases or other criminal or suspicious activity, please contact the UT Police Department at 512-471-4441. The 25th Annual National Night Out is Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at Gregory Gym Pool and The Brackenridge Apartment Complex Jasper Park * * * * * ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE * * * * * Since the beginning of the semester the University of Texas Police Department has been receiving complaints and concerns about the bicycle traffic and safety on campus. In case you didn't notice, yesterday, the UT Police Department and the Travis County Sheriffs' Office began traffic enforcement geared toward safety issues including bicyclists disregarding state traffic laws. Citations included and will include, but are not limited to: Running Stop Signs, Failure to Yield Right of Way to Pedestrians, and Traveling Left of Center. Pedestrians, this is also a reminder for you as well. There are areas of campus that are currently under construction, you need to stay out of the roadway. The Travis County Sheriffs' Department will be working the intersection of 24th Street and Speedway to assist with construction traffic safety. COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 2110 Speedway Theft: A Giant Uconn FX bicycle was stolen while it was secured with a cable lock to a hand rail located on the west side of the building. Loss value: $350.00. Occurred on 09/24/08 between 11 a.m. and 10:05 p.m. COMMUNITY COLLEGE SURVEY OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, 3316 Grandview Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported as blocking the entryway while sitting on a flight of exterior steps leading to the doorway. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 09/24/08 at 8:00 a.m. FACILITIES COMPLEX 1, 1301 East Dean Keeton Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found soliciting money from pedestrians. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 09/24/08 at 1:03 p.m. GOLDSMITH HALL, # 5 West Mall Theft: A blue and silver colored bicycle of an unknown brand and model was stolen while it was secured with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the east side of the building. Loss value: unknown at this time. Occurred on 09/24/08 between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: Did you notice this was the second bicycle theft listed today that happened during the daytime? These thefts do happen during the day, the night, the in-between times, on holidays, weekends, weekdays, before lunch, after lunch, when the moon is full and when it is new. In other words, they can happen at any time. To protect your bicycle, log the make, model, color and serial number (this is easily done when you register your bicycle with UT Parking and Transportation Services). Buy and use a quality u-lock – that is one that has a flat key lock. To better protect your bicycle, use both a u-lock and a cable lock and always make sure you secure your bicycle to a bicycle rack as they are designed to aid in the protection of your bike – not to mention it is a violation to affix your bicycle to a handrail or street sign post. ROBERT A. WELCH HALL, 105 East 24th Street Suspicious Person: A UT student reported seeing a subject enter a 5th floor laboratory and begin to “look around.†The subject left the area when the student began to watch the subject. The student followed the subject out of the room while asking if he could assist the subject with locating someone. The subject mumbled something and continued to walk away. The subject was described as a white male, approximately 5' 2†tall, wearing an olive colored jacket, baseball cap and carrying a large backpack. Occurred on 09/23/08 at 5:13 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: This type of behavior is commonly seen in our office thieves. They will walk around an area, find an open room, enter the room and scan the room for items that are readily available for acquisition. The student did just about everything we ask of our faculty, staff and students – that is, we ask to provide people with good customer service by asking, “May I help you?†When asked such a question, most thieves will either claim to be looking for someone, looking for the restroom or they will simply leave the area abruptly as in this case. If the person does state they are looking for a particular person, office or restroom, offer to show them the way. At that point, those thieves will normally come up with an excuse to leave. If the person does leave make sure you call the police department as soon as possible. That is why you should have the UTPD telephone number programmed into your cell phone (512-471-4441). Make sure you provide the best description possible (race, gender, height, weight, hair color, clothing description and last known location or direction of travel). Together, we can stop office thefts. 700 Lavaca Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage in a Motor Vehicle: A non-UT subject was stopped for running a red light while driving a grey 200 Honda Accord. An open bottle of beer was plainly visible inside the front passenger compartment of the vehicle. The subject had been consuming alcoholic beverages, but was not deemed to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 09/25/08 at 3:04 a.m. 600 West Martin Luther King Driving While Intoxicated: A UT student was stopped for driving a red 2006 Saturn Vue at well over the posted speed limit and failing to maintain a single lane of traffic. The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 09/25/08 at 2:21 a.m. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, The University of Texas Police Department responded to 35 alarm calls, 1 welfare concern, 1 medical emergency, 1 suspicious person and 2 unsecured door reports between 09-24-08 and 09-25-08. 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 via e-mail to Darrell.halstead@austin.utexas.edu . Prepared by WRP To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
