Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Wednesday, 02/25/09 and Thursday, 02/26/09. 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. Spring Break Safety Tips With Spring Break rapidly approaching, it is time to start looking at safety and security tips pertaining to Spring Break activities. I would like to start this series of tips with a very specific tip. - The State Department issued a travel safety alert on February 20, 2009. The safety alert reads as follows: The U.S. State Department has renewed a travel advisory warning Americans about an increase in violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. The alert does not recommend staying away from the country or any particular part of it, but advises American to stay away from prostitution and drug-dealing areas. It recommends visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas. The alert issued Friday says violent crime is particularly worrisome along the U.S.-Mexico border, where automatic weapons and grenades have been used in clashes between police and drug traffickers. More than 6,000 people were killed in drug violence in Mexico last year. CENTENNIAL PARK, 1500 Red River Criminal Trespass Warning / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: A non-UT subject was observed loitering by the creek before approaching a tree and depositing uric acid at the base of said tree. The subject was found to be in possession of a metal vial containing marijuana residue, a plastic bag containing marijuana stems and rolling papers. In addition to other law enforcement action, the subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 02/25/09 at 6:19 p.m. COMAL STREET CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 2205 Comal Graffiti: Black paint was used to write three letters on the side of a trash dumpster located on the southeast side of the building. Removal cost: $50.00. Discovered on 02/26/09 at 1:17 a.m. JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Graffiti: A white paint pen was used to write letters on a tissue dispensing box located inside a lobby restroom. Removal cost: $25.00. Occurred on 02/26/09 between 4:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. JOE C THOMPSON CONFERENCE CENTER, 2405 Robert Dedman Theft: A khaki colored purse containing various identification cards and credit / debit cards was stolen after it was left in a conference room. Loss value: $10.00. Occurred on 02/26/09 between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. PARKING LOT 27, 2600 Whitis Public Intoxication / Consumption of alcohol by a Minor: A UT Student, who was under the age of 21, was observed being held upright by two other people. The student stated she had consumed four, shot-sized, glasses of clear Kool-Aid. Obviously the “Kool-Aid†packed quite a punch – Oh, Yeah! When officers began to inquire if the “Kool-Aid†contained any liquid substances of an adult variety, the student became worried she had been dosed and exclaimed that someone might be “setting me [her] up for the 'okey-dokey'.†The student was about to be turned over to one of her sober, responsible friends who had been acting as one of her literal support posts when she began to forcefully present internal evidence of her night's consumptions. The student was sat on the ground and soon fell over. Imagine if you will, the officers describing this case to me. The words “splat†and “thump†were used more times than not. The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point Austin-Travis County EMS needed to transport her to a local hospital for the treatment of alcohol poisoning. Occurred on 02/26/09 at 1:06 a.m. 700 Colorado Evading / Possession of Marijuana / Possession of Controlled Substance (2 counts): Two subjects were sitting in an alley just north of the Colorado Building. When an officer approached, one of the two subjects stated he was only using the restroom. Both subjects denied doing anything and took flight when the officer continued to ask questions. The lone officer pursued both subjects until one of the two split away and took an alternate route. The officer continued pursuit of one of the subjects over hills, around corners, down streets, through an attempted tackle of the subject by an unknown pedestrian and around the hood of a pick-up truck before an off duty federal agent jumped into the pursuit. During the pursuit, the subject drained marijuana from a plastic baggie onto the passing ground. Once the subject was stopped he was found to be in possession of 8 pills of Hydrocodone, 30 pills of Clonzepham and 1 1/2 ounces of marijuana. Occurred on 02/25/09 at 5;00 p.m. 2200 Speedway Criminal Mischief: A UT student was observed using permanent markers to write words on a presentation board belonging to a private organization. The same color marker was used to write the same words on two other presentation boards belonging to the same group. Repair Cost: $450.00. Reported on 02/25/09 at 2:32 p.m. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 22 alarm calls, 1 fire alarm, 2 suspicious activity reports, 1 public assist request, 2 welfare concern reports, 2 disturbance calls, 3 lighting surveys and 6 unsecured door reports between 02/25/09 and 02/26/09. 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
