Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Wednesday, 11/12/08 and Thursday, 11/13/08. 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 Austin Police Department has recently taken an assault report that occurred in the area around Lady Bird Lake. In that case, a pedestrian was groped by an unknown individual. In light of that report, 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 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, 107 West Dean Keeton Criminal Trespass Warning: A shoeless non-UT subject was reported as walking into the building. The subject was located on the north side of the building and was issued a written criminal trespass warning. SUTTON HALL, 210 West 21st Street Theft: An i-Mac desktop computer, a Mac keyboard, a Dell Inspiron laptop computer, a Dell computer monitor, an HP laptop computer, and two laptop computer cases were stolen from a 3rd floor office. Loss value: $3,300.00. Occurred between 11/11/08 at 7:30 p.m. and 11/12/08 at 10:30 a.m. 300 West Dean Keeton Driving While License Suspended / Open Container of Alcohol in a Vehicle / Possession of a Controlled Substance / Driving While Intoxicated / Assist Outside Agency: A non-UT subject was stopped after making an illegal u-turn and driving his 1995 Mazda Protégé over a concrete center median that divides the west bound and east bound lanes of traffic. The subject stated he believed he had not seen the median as he had a contact lens in only one eye. An open can of beer was found inside the vehicle. The subject handed the officer his state issued identification card as his driver license had previously been suspended. The subject was found to have three outstanding outside agency arrest warrants for traffic violations. The subject was also found to be in possession of a white pill that was determined to be a controlled substance. To top off the evening, the subject was also found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 11/13/08 at 2:16 a.m. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 23 alarm calls, 1 unsecured door report, 3 medical emergency calls and 2 suspicious activity reports between 11/12/08 and 11/13/08. 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
