Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Thursday, 02/26/09 and Friday, 02/27/09. 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. - Prepare your residence for your Spring Break absence. - Make sure you have your mail held at the post office and your newspaper deliver suspended. - Check out an electric timer from the police department. A timer can be used to turn your interior lights on and off. This gives the impression your home is occupied. - Make sure your lawn, if you have one, is mowed and edged before you leave. An unkempt lawn is an indication no one is at home. - Bring items inside. Bicycles, lawn chairs, potted plants – pretty much anything that you don't want walking off – should be brought inside. This advice is for dormitory residents as well. BRING YOUR BICYCLE INTO YOUR DORMITORY ROOM DURING SPRING BREAK! Don't just bring your bike into your room; use your lock to secure it to something in your room. - Contact your police department to set-up a close-patrol check of your residence. This lets the police department know you will be out of town and serves as a request to have patrol officers check your residence during their patrols. Next Week we will provide tips for preparing your car for the journey, preparing your luggage, airport travel safety, hotel security and Spring Break Destination safety and security. BRAZOS GARAGE, 203 East 21St Street Criminal Mischief: A sharp, pointed object was used to puncture the sidewalls of two tires on a Jeep Wrangler while the Jeep was parked on the 1st level of the garage. Loss value: $326.00. Occurred between 02/24/09 at 9:00 p.m. and 02/26/09 at 5:00 p.m. BRAZOS GARAGE, 203 East 21st Street Assist Outside Agency (Stolen Vehicle Recovery): A maroon 1992 Toyota Camry that had been parked on the 6th level of the garage for a significant time; at least long enough to receive 20 parking citations, was reported by Parking and Transportation Services as being suspicious. The vehicle was checked and found to have been reported to the Austin Police Department as having been stolen. Recovery value: $1,000.00. Reported on 02/26/09 at 6:38 p.m. JESSE H. JONES COMMUNICATIONS CENTER; BUILDING B, 2504 Whitis Graffiti: Green spray paint was used to write illegible words on the southwest side of the building. Removal cost: $50.00. Discovered on 02/26/09 at 8:04 p.m. PARKING LOT 80, 1900 Red River Leaving the Scene Collision: An unknown vehicle struck the left front quarter panel of a parked grey Honda Accord. The driver of the striking vehicle left the scene without leaving driver or striking vehicle information. Repair cost: $300.00. Occurred on 02/26/00 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:05 a.m. WALTER WEBB HALL, 2500 Guadalupe Criminal Trespass Warning (4 counts): Four non-UT subjects were found “camping†on the east side of the building. All four subjects were issued written criminal trespass warnings. Occurred on 02/26/09 at 2:17 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 suspicious activity reports, 1 welfare concern reports, 1 found property report and 3 unsecured door reports between 02/26/09 and 02/27/09. 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
