Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Thursday, 03/12/09 and Friday, 03/13/09. 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. - Prepare your vehicle for Spring Break - This would be a good time to have a mechanic go over your vehicle. - Change the oil - Have the belts and engine hoses checked - Check all of your vehicle's fluid levels checked and check the tire pressure - Put together an emergency kit. This kit will contain some of the following items: Water Emergency Blanket Flashlight / Extra Batteries First Aid Kit Car Cell Phone Charger Traffic Safety Vest ($9.00 in the sporting goods section of many stores) Granola bars - Preparing your personal items for the trip and packing - When packing your clothes for the trip, consider the attire of local people in the area you are visiting. Don't dress to “flashy†or “laid-back†as that may cause you to stand out as a tourist and an easy target. Plan to dress conservatively. - Before you leave, take time to plan out your trip. Having an itinerary and sharing it with friends you are travelling with helps to identify possible problems and areas where security may be of more concern. Include your travel plans in the itinerary (how you will be travelling – plane, train, auto, bus, bicycle etc. and the identifiers for that method of travel; i.e. flight number 7645 leaving Austin – Bergstrom at 10 a.m. arriving at JFK International at 3:00p.m.) Make sure you provide a copy of this itinerary with friends or family that are staying here. That way, they know more about where you are, where you plan to be and when you will be back. - If travelling abroad, make sure you look up the local police department telephone numbers and the nearest US Embassy telephone numbers. Program those numbers into your cell phone. You never know when you will need them. - Check the State Department webpage for any travel advisories. The web address is http://www.state.gov/travel/ - Check the contents of your wallet. Only bring that which is necessary. Limit the amount of cash you take with you. Use traveler's checks or a credit card instead. Write down the 1-800 number to your credit card in the event your card is lost or stolen. Keep that number in your hotel. - If you take prescription medications, make sure you have enough of the prescription to last you through the trip. KEEP YOUR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS IN THEIR ORIGINAL PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE. - Keep your name and address on the inside of your luggage and write your contact information on the luggage tag. Use a luggage tag that has a cover so your information can not be seen by someone walking by your luggage. - Stay with your luggage from your house, to the airport and up to the bag check. Watch the bag security check and ask Transportation Security Agency Officers to lock your bag after it is checked. - Airport Travel Safety If you are taking to the air to reach your Spring Break destination, make sure you prepare yourself for airport security as well. I know you have heard it time and time again, but first thing is first – Make sure you arrive early enough to check in, make it through security and to your departure gate before the plane is scheduled to board. I have found that you should arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight. When you do arrive, keep the following suggestions in mind; - Make sure your bags are closed and locked with a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved luggage lock (sold in many stores) - NEVER LEAVE YOUR BAGS UNATTENDED – and what I mean by that is that you actually need to be watching your bag. - Stay with your bag until it is checked. After your bag is inspected / searched by TSA watch to see if they re-secured the lock. If they did not, ask them to secure your bag with the lock. - Bring proper photo identification with you for the check in procedure. Your state issued driver's license works well for this. If travelling abroad, you should also have your Passport (you need this even if you are flying to Mexico or Canada). - If you are carrying a purse, make sure you wear the should strap diagonally across your torso. Even then, consider carrying your wallet in a pocket. - If you are only carrying a wallet, keep it in your front pocket – it is easier to pick pocket from a back pocket. Wrap a rubber band around your wallet as that too helps keep your wallet in your pocket. - DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS INTO THE AIRPORT – enough said about that. - Listen to directions given by TSA and airport staff and follow those directions; they are for your safety and the safety of others. - Pay attention to the pre-flight safety instructions given by flight attendants – those instructions may prove useful. I venture to say the lucky travelers who recently exited their plane in the middle of the Hudson River were glad they paid attention. - Keep these tips in mind for the return flight. Airports in other countries will have different procedures for checking in and screening, but your personal security and responsibility for your property remains the same. - Taxi Safety Tips The very nature of taxi travel opens the door for scams, thefts or worse. Think about it; you voluntarily get into a stranger's car knowing that the stranger knows you have money. Don't get me wrong, the majority of taxi service providers are honest hard working people, but there are those who prey on someone needing a ride. To protect yourself from such a predator, consider the following: - - Try to catch a cab at a taxi stand. Many cities have such places in areas where people typically use cab services like the airport, train stations, tourist attractions etc. - - Before you jump into a cab, look to see if the cab is similar to others in the area. Cab drivers that work for a company that has a fleet of cabs tend to be more reliable and honest than an independently operated cab driver. Another thing to consider is that thieves will sometimes use a cab look-a-like to con tourists into their vehicle. - - Look to see if the cab has the company's telephone number posted on the outside of the cab. Legitimate cab companies do not waste any advertising space on their vehicles and put their phone number on every side of their vehicles. - - Check to see if the cab has a meter and a radio. This provides further evidence the cab is legitimate. - - Check to see if there is a child safety lock feature on the door. This is a lever on the side of the door that can be seen when the door is open. If there is such a device, make sure it is in the unlocked position. If it is in the locked position, then you can't open the door form the inside. - - Before you close the door, look to make sure the back seat has a door handle – if not, catch another cab. The last thing you want is to be stuck in the back seat of any vehicle. - -If possible, do not place important bags / luggage in the trunk. If you need to get out of a cab quickly, then you won't have time to get your bags. - - Know where you are going and be confident in your request to get there. This lets a cab operator know you know where you are going and how to get there. A cab driver will be less likely to vary from the logical path to get to your destination. - - Do not share rides with strangers. The few dollars you will be saving by sharing a ride is not worth the risk of letting a potential “bad guy†know what hotel you are staying in or for that matter getting into a cab with someone who doesn't mind to bad things in the back of a cab. - - As always, know the police telephone number or emergency number for the town you are in. - Hotel Security - Let friends and family know where you will be staying – hotel name, address, telephone number and room number should be given to your friends and family back home. - Make checking in a priority when you arrive. Keep an eye on your belongings until you get them to your room. Even a few seconds of inattention can result in your entire vacation wardrobe walking off. - When you check in, make sure the electronic key or actual key does not have your room number listed on it. If it does, ask if you can mark the room number out with a marker. Make plans to keep your cards with you. - When you check in, ask about security services such as after-hour entrances, room safes, safety deposit boxes and local emergency telephone numbers. - Ask if the hotel has a courtesy escort van and if that service can be called to come pick you up after your outing. - Make sure you keep your valuables locked in the room safe of safety deposit box when you are not using them. - Keep an eye on your hotel key. Keep it on your person. Do not let others hold on to it or see it. - When mingling with people you meet, keep your hotel information private. If the people want to meet up with you later – then meet them at a public place and bring your friends. - ETOH - EtOH, or Ethyl Alcohol (grain alcohol) consumption during Spring Break, is such a concern for law enforcement officers, paramedics, the fire department, hospitals, city governments, parents and yes the morgue that I thought we would dedicate an entire section to it. All too often, Spring Break party goers inundate towns along the coast, up in the mountains and on foreign soil. Many of these rabble-rousers share one thing in common – alcohol consumption. For the most part, alcohol consumption does not cause too many problems. It is when people over-indulge that life changing events take place. Over consumption of alcohol leads to a variety of problems, including property destruction, fighting, assaults, sexual assaults, DWI – which brings about a litany of other concerns, public intoxication, accidents, injuries and all too often falls from balconies. All this being said, if you are under 21, the drinking age is 21 – don't drink, or you could lose your license. If you are 21 and older – know your limits and don't exceed them. Always have a sober friend with you. - ETOH; second shot – pun intended Imagine the cool evenings at the beach side hotel, the sounds of the waves breaking on the beach. You can feel the sea breeze through your hair as you face the vast ocean from your hotel balcony. Just typing the words makes me want to close my eyes and wish I was there. Now imagine the same scene while sharing the balcony with 20 other party goers while you yourself are feeling the effects of a long hot day of consuming alcohol. This same scene is more common than the previous scene during Spring Break. Every year, over-crowded hotel balconies and / or intoxication lead to the tragedies of people falling from their balconies. This is just one of the many situations that you may not consider as dangerous when you dive into that bottle. Another dangerous situation involves taking a plunge into the nearest body of water while you are intoxicated. Spring Break is and should be all about relaxing and enjoying life – trust me, I wish I had done more of both while I was in college, but I am confident I would have known my limits both as a swimmer and as a drinker. Believe it or not, drinking alcohol will impair your swimming abilities. Yet another everyday activity that alcohol will impair without your knowledge is just that – day activities. Alcohol impacts the body in many ways – one of which is that it dehydrates your system. The combinations of hot days and alcohol can quickly and easily lead to medical problems such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Make sure you take plenty of breaks from the outdoor activities and that you stay hydrated – that does not mean drink liquor all day long. Drink plenty of water. If you are drinking alcoholic beverages, then alternate alcoholic beverages with water. Get rest, eat well, stay with friends, know your limits and … don't forget the sunscreen. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Public Intoxication / Assault on a Public Servant / Possession of More than One Valid Driver License: A non-UT subject, who was under the age of 21, was reported as having difficulty walking as he attempted to enter the facility without a ticket for the UIL Basketball Tournament. After the subject was turned away, he stumbled to the ticket office where he entered the exit lane and cut in-front of several other patrons who were trying to purchase tickets. When one of UT's Finest grabbed the subject's arm to escort him away form the ticket booth, the subject spun around and hit the officer in the face. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to be a danger to himself and others – namely UT's Finest. The subject was also found to be in possession of another's valid driver's license. Needless to say, the subject missed the basketball game. Occurred on 03/12/09 at 1:34 p.m. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Assault on a Public Servant: During a UIL Basketball Tournament, a non-UT subject began to cause a disturbance with other patrons to the point UT police Officers needed to escort the subject from the building. The subject pushed one of the approaching officers in the chest. The escort out of the building then turned into an escort into custody. Occurred on 03/12/09 at 11:00 p.m. PARKING LOT 114, 2200 Leona Burglary of Motor Vehicle (Criminal Episode): Windows to a 1997 Chevrolet, a 2001 Volvo, a 2001 Ford, a 2002 Ford, a 2002 Toyota, a 1998 Saturn, a 2004 Chevrolet, a 1998 Mercedes, a 1872 Dodge and a 1995 VW were broken out while the vehicles were parked in the lot. Three car stereos, an Apple i-Pod Nano, a compact disc, a car stereo faceplate, a tool to remove wheel rims and a set of car stereo speakers were stolen from seven of the vehicles. Three vehicles had no items taken from them. Combined repair cost: $1,500.00. Combined loss value: $700.00. Occurred between 03/11/09 at 11:27 p.m. and 02/12/09 at 2:22 a.m. TRINITY GARAGE, 1815 Trinity Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported as selling tickets to the UIL Basketball Tournament while inside the parking garage. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning citation. Occurred on 03/12/09 at 1:30 p.m. 2300 San Jacinto Public Intoxication: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was observed stumbling heavily while walking south on San Jacinto. The student was “covered in mud from head to toe.†When told to stop and talk, the student negotiated and stated he and the officer could walk and talk. The student continued to walk south. When the student was stopped, he stated he was walking to Duren Hall which is located in the opposite direction the student was travelling. The student was found to be under not only mud at one point, but also under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was a danger to himself. Occurred on 03/13/09 at 1:07 a.m. 200 East 21st Street Public Intoxication / Assault on a Public Servant / Possession of More Than One Valid Driver License: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, and a non-UT subject were reported as arguing while sitting inside the subject's parked car. During the investigation, the student used language that is best suited for well, nowhere. The student then pushed the officer in the chest. The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point she was a danger to herself and to the officer. The student was also found to be in possession of two driver's licenses that were issued to other people. Occurred on 03/13/09 at 2:01 a.m. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 18 alarm calls, 4 “Police help†call box activations, 1 fire alarm activation, 11 unsecured door reports, 2 collision reports, 1 suspicious odor report and 1 suspicious activity report between 03/12/09 and 03/13/09. 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
