Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Friday, 02/20/09 and Monday, 02/23/09. Robbery Prevention Tips The University of Texas Police Department would like to help you develop a strategy to prevent a robbery or to handle one if it happens. Keep these suggestions in mind: - Be aware of your surroundings. - Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you feel uneasy then leave the area – run if necessary. - Do not become engaged in activities that will distract your attention like talking on a cell phone or wearing your mugger magnets (MP3 ear-buds or headphones). - Do your best to go out with friends; stay in groups as there is safety in numbers. - Keep to areas where you can see other people. If you can see others, then they can see you – again safety in numbers. - Make eye contact with those around you. This lets a potential robber know you have seen him or her. - Practice making mental images of people without staring at them. - If a robber does approach you and demands your wallet, then give it to him or her. Nothing in your wallet is worth risking your life over. - The loss of your wallet could have a lasting impact. Make sure you only carry items you know you will need. Never carry your Social Security Card in your wallet. Only carry the credit cards you need. You should never have more than one or two credit cards in your wallet. Limit the amount of cash you keep on hand. Never write the pin code to your ATM / Debit Card down on a piece of paper. Memorize that number and don't share it with others. - As always, if you see any type of suspicious activity, PLEASE contact UTPD at 471-4441 or 911 from any campus phone. ALMETRIS DUREN RESIDENCE HALL, 2624 Whitis Theft: A resident reported two Valentine's Day cards containing cash sent from different family members had not made it to her dormitory mailbox. The resident stated her roommate did not receive a Valentine's Day card that was reported to have contained cash. According to a Resident Assistant, other residents have been complaining about not receiving their mail. Known loss value: $30.00. Reported on 02/20/09 at 8:22 p.m. GUADALUPE GARAGE, 1616 Guadalupe Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found “resting-up†on a blanket he had spread out on the west side of the garage. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 02/20/09 at 5:50 p.m. LIVING LEARNING HALL – B, 2610 Whitis Theft: An orange Next bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the east side of the building. Loss value: $100.00. Occurred between 02/06/09 at 11:00 a.m. and 02/07/09 at 7:00 a.m. Reported on 02/20/09 at 4:15 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: Often times I speak with students who tell me their bicycle had been stolen sometime in the past and they did not make a police report as they did not think the police would be able to help. I am not going to say there is a high probability of the police recovering your stolen bicycle; especially if you do not know the serial number or you do not have your state issued driver's license engraved on the bicycle. I can tell you that if you don't make a police report then there is a 100% chance the police will not be able to help you. I don't know about you, but any chance is better than no chance at all. Also, I will say that with every police report there is an evaluation of where and how crimes are being committed. This evaluation helps direct our police patrols and services. LIVING LEARNING HALL – C, 2610 Whitis Theft: A blue SE 700C Draft Lite bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a chain lock to a bicycle rack located on the west side of the building. The owner of the bicycle has a u-lock, but stated he only uses both locks when he locks his bicycle up over-night. Loss value: $200.00. Occurred on 02/21/09 between 3:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: Theft occurs at all time of the day and night. Many of our bicycle thefts happen in broad daylight when there are plenty of witnesses. Keep that in mind when you select the bicycle rack you will secure your bicycle too and the number & types of locks you will use. The owner of this bicycle did have his bicycle registered with UT P&T Services. This is a good thing, as we were able to obtain the serial number of the bicycle. Knowing the serial number greatly increases our chances of recovering the bicycle. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported as loitering in the restroom and using the facility for his personal hygiene needs. The subject was also suspect in taking plastic bags from a trashcan to use as transportation vessels for his belongings. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 02/21/09 at 2:00 p.m. ROBERT LEE MOORE HALL, 2515 Speedway Theft: A green and white Novara Bonita bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the south side of the building. Loss value: $350.00. Occurred on 02/20/09 between 5:00 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. UNION BUILDING, #4 West Mall Criminal Trespass: A non-UT subject was located in an area of the 3rd floor that is reserved for use by faculty, staff and students. The subject had previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning for the building. Occurred on 02/20/09 at 8:00 a.m. UT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 1616 Guadalupe Public Intoxication: A non-UT subject was found passed-out by the northeast corner of the building. The subject could recall his month and day of birth, but had a hard time recalling his year of birth as he kept claiming his date of birth was “01-01 of the new year.†As it turned out, the subject's month and day of birth is January 1st. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services needed to transport him to a local emergency room for the treatment of alcohol poisoning. Occurred on 02/22/09 at 12:07 a.m. WALTER WEBB HALL, 2500 Guadalupe Criminal Trespass / Assist Outside Agency / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: A non-UT subject was observed soliciting money from pedestrians while the subject loitered on the east side of the building. The subject had previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning. The subject was found to be in possession of several hypodermic needles and a spoon that had burn marks on it. The subject was found to have seven outstanding outside agency arrest warrants for blocking a city sidewalk (4 warrants), aggressive solicitation, public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia. Occurred on 02/21/09 at 6:38 p.m. 600 Colorado Street Leaving the Scene Collision / Driving While Intoxicated: A non-UT subject was observed revving his vehicle's engine at a red light. When the subject's light turned green, the subject initiated an east bound turn on 6th Street which is designated for west bound traffic only. When confronted with on-coming traffic, the subject righted his vehicle and continued south on Colorado Street. After striking a parked car, the subject continued to drive south on Colorado Street. Once the subject was stopped, it was determined he was under the influence of a central nervous system depressant to the point he was deemed to be driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 02/22/09 at 2:22 a.m. 700 Colorado Street Theft / Public Intoxication: UT Guard Officers observed a non-UT subject pick-up an orange traffic cone and begin to walk off with the cone. The guards ordered the subject to put the cone down. The subject did set the cone down and promptly ran away. When the subject was located, he was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was a physical danger to himself and all the people the traffic cone was giving guidance to. The subject was also found to have three outstanding outside agency arrest warrants for traffic violations. Occurred on 02/20/09 at 11:19 p.m. 2100 Guadalupe Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor: A non-UT subject, who was under the age of 21, was stopped for driving a brown Buick Lesabre at night without its headlamps turned on. The subject was found to have consumed alcoholic beverages, but not to the point she was deemed to have been driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 02/22/09 at 3:30 a.m. 200 West Inner Campus Reckless Damage: A non-UT subject attempted to drive her grey 2006 Toyota 4-door while it was secured in place by a Parking and Transportation (P&T) wheel boot. When the driver recognized her car was “not moving much†she contacted P&T to have the boot removed. The movement of the car with the boot on caused damage to the boot and a scratch in the pavement. Repair cost: $61.00. Reported on 02/21/09 at 6:05 a.m. 2400 San Jacinto Driving While Intoxicated with an Open Container: A non-UT subject was stopped for running a stop sign while driving a 2006 GMC sport utility vehicle. The subject obviously knew he had violated the law as he immediately put his hands up when he stepped out of his vehicle. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to be driving while intoxicated. Open cans of beer were found inside the subject's vehicle. Occurred on 02/20/09 at 11:10 p.m. 100 West 21st Street Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A UT student, who under the age of 21, was observed walking with a noticeable stagger in his walk. The student was found to have consumed alcoholic beverages, but not to the point he was deemed to be a danger to himself or others. Occurred on 02/22/09 at 2:08 a.m. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 32 alarm calls, 2 “Police Help†callbox activations, 1 fire alarm, 2 suspicious activity reports, 2 suspicious person reports, 10 unsecured door reports, 2 medical emergency assists, 1 welfare concern report, 1 found property report, 1 accidental damage report, 1 motor vehicle collision and 2 public assist between 02/20/09 and 02/23/09 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
