Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Wednesday, 10/01/08 and Thursday, 10/02/08. 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. Tips Regarding the Attached Austin Police Department Press Release Please see the press release attachments to today's e-mail regarding recent assaults that have occurred in neighborhoods surrounding the campus. If anyone has information pertaining to the cases, contact the Austin Police Department contact number listed on the press release. In light of recent crimes occurring just off of campus, we would like to provide general crime prevention tips regarding personal safety. - When possible, travel with friends. There is safety in numbers. - Let others, like your roommate(s), friends and family, know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Also provide those people with a telephone number you can be reached at. - Be observant when walking or driving. Let people know that you are aware of what is going on around you – that makes you a less likely target. - Part of being observant and knowing what is happening around you is keeping your eyes and ears open. Sleeping in public makes you more susceptible to an attack. Walking while talking on a cell phone or listening to your MP3 player with both ear buds in makes you less aware. Save the call for a later time and walk or run with only one ear bud in – that allows you to hear people around you with the other ear. - Listen to your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, then leave the area. The best way to avoid or end an attack or conflict is to leave the area. - Avoid areas that are convenient for an attacker. Areas with natural hiding places like locations with vegetation overgrowth, blind spots in a building's design, narrowing of pathways around trees, buildings, parking lots etc, are good places for an attacker to lay in wait. If the place you are in gives you a bad feeling, then leave that area and go to the last place you felt safe. - Keep a cellular telephone with you at all times. A cell phone is a life-line to the police department. If you ever find yourself thinking, “should I call the police?†Then yes, you should call the police. (9-1-1 is a free cell phone call and can not be blocked; even if you do not have a cell phone carrier.) - Prepare your body and boost your confidence. Both of these concerns may be addressed by taking advantage of the many programs offered right here on campus. The UT Police Department offers a Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program free of charge to female faculty, staff and student members. This free 16-hour course teaches you to be more aware, to take preventative measures and to defend yourself if need be. To sign-up for the RAD program visit: http://www.utexas.edu/police/rad/ The Division of Recreational Sports offers several Sports Clubs that provide martial arts and defensive training. For more information on Rec Sports options, visit http://www.utrecsports.org/activities/activities/martialarts.php You can also take informal classes offered through the Union Informal Classes program. There you find a variety of programs design to boost your abilities and confidence in situations in which you may need to defend yourself. You can find out more information about Informal Classes by visiting their website at: https://informalclasses.org/index2.html The 25th Annual National Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at the Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and The Brackenridge Apartment Complex Jasper Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come out to meet your neighbors, enjoy food, games, entertainment and a chance to win one of many door prizes. Come out to one of the two parties for your chance to win one of many wonderful door prizes like an i-pod, a free Kaplan LSAT course or GMAT course, water craft rentals from Just for Fun, u-lock bicycle locks, personal alarms or gift certificates from local businesses, internet services and restaurants like Academy Sports and Outdoors, The Clay Pit, New World Deli, Texadelphia, i-Tunes, Pic-A-Prof and many more. While you are out at the Aquatic Complex National Night Out Party, be sure to sign-up for one of the scheduled activities; like a Hot Shots pool basketball shoot out, a cannon ball contest, a limbo contest or get a couple of friends and participate in a swimming relay. The more activities you participate in the more opportunities you will have to win one of the many door prizes. Are you hungry for justice? Come out and enjoy chicken planks from the North End Zone's WoW Café and Wingery, pizza from Austin's Pizza and pizza rolls from Double Dave's Pizza. While you enjoy the food, ask a police officer how you can have a pizza delivered to you courtesy of UTPD and that officer will tell you about UT's Hungry for Justice program. ALMETRIS DUREN RESIDENCE HALL, 2625 Whitis Theft: A silver Mongoose bicycle was stolen while it was secured with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the southeast side of the dormitory. Loss value: $125.00. Occurred between 09/28/08 at 7:00 p.m. and 10/01/08 at 6:00 p.m. ALMETRIS DUREN RESIDENCE HALL, 2625 Whitis Theft: A black Cannondale bicycle was stolen while it was secured with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the northeast side of the building. Loss value: $350.00. Occurred between 09/30/08 at 12:30 p.m. and 10/01/08 at 11:45 a.m. GREGORY GYMNASIUM, 2101 Speedway Theft: A UT ID card and an electronic automobile key were stolen from an unsecured coin-operated 2nd floor women's locker room. Loss value: $100.00. Occurred on 10/01/08 between 5:40 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: Many people do not consider small everyday items to be worthy of theft. It has been my experience that anything that is not secured is susceptible to theft. In this case, the ID card may have a cash value as it may be loaded with Bevo Bucks that a thief can use to make local purchases. The electronic key in this case is very expensive to replace. Of course, a thief with a set stolen car keys carries the ability to locate and steal the car that goes to said keys. Invest the quarter to secure your property – even property you don't think could be the target of thieves. JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Burglary: A total of $748.00 in cash was stolen form an unsecured 11th floor dormitory room wile the residents were out of the room. The residents returned to their room to find the room disarranged. Occurred on 10/01/08 between 6:20 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: While it is comforting to know that students feel safe and secure in their dormitory room, it is important for our on-campus residents to know that crime can and does happen from time to time. Residents need to dedicate themselves to keeping their dormitory room doors locked. It only takes a minute or two for a thief to enter a dorm room, rummage through the room and commit a theft. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 510 East 23rd Street Leaving the Scene Collision: The front bumper of a 2004 Nissan Titan was struck by an unknown vehicle while the Nissan was parked on the west side of the building. The driver of the striking vehicle left the scene without leaving driver information. Paint was transferred from the striking vehicle to the bumper of the Nissan. Repair cost: $250.00. Reported on 10/01/08 at 3:41 p.m. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, The University of Texas Police Department responded to 20 alarm calls, 3 welfare concern reports, 1 found property, 2 collision reports and 2 public assist requests between 10/01/08 and 10/02/08. 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 via e-mail to Darrell.halstead@austin.utexas.edu . Prepared by WRP ISA To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
