Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Monday, 04/06/09 and Wednesday, 04/08/09. *****Public Safety Initiative***** The Texas Department of Transportation and The University of Texas at Austin Police Department are proud to announce our participation in this year's “Click it or Ticket†campaign. This safety belt education and enforcement initiative is designed to gain compliance with state law requiring the use of safety seat belt in motor vehicles. This campaign is a worth-while project as every year there are so many vehicle collisions that result in needless loss of life as the vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belts. While The UT Police Department is always mindful of this traffic law, particular attention will be given to the enforcement of this law in mid May. Stay tuned for specific dates and educational opportunities regarding this initiative. Until then, click it…or ticket. CLAUDIA T. JOHNSON HALL, 210 West 6th Street Criminal Trespass Warning: A recently terminated employee arrived at the building to speak to one of the parties who played a roll in the former employee's termination. The former employee did not have a scheduled meeting with the party. The former employee was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 04/08/09 at 6:02 a.m. COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 2110 Speedway Forgery / Tampering with a Government Document: A former UT student entered a 2nd floor office and purported himself as a current UT student. The subject presented a forged release of information form and requested information about the student he claimed to be. The subject was known to the staff members in the office as the subject had requested his own information not too long ago. Reported on 04/07/09 at 10:37 a.m. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Criminal Trespass Warning: Two non-UT subjects were reported as soliciting wrestling t-shirts sales outside of the building during a “sports entertainment†event. Both subjects were issued written criminal trespass warning citations. Occurred on 04/07/09. JESTER CENTER ACADEMIC, 201 East 21st Street Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found sleeping on a couch inside a 1st floor student lounge. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 04/07/09 at 3:30 a.m. LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER, 4801 LACROSSE AVE AUSTIN Leaving the Scene Collision: An unknown vehicle struck the west gate to the property causing the gate to be damaged to the point it can no longer be used. The driver of the striking vehicle left the scene without leaving driver information. Repair cost: $300.00. Discovered on 04/07/09 at 4:58 p.m. MUSIC BUILDING & RECITAL HALL, 2406 Robert Dedman Theft: A red and white Novara Divano bicycle was stolen while it was secured with a u-lock to the bicycle racks located on the west side of the building. The u-lock was secured to the spokes of the front wheel of the bicycle. The owner discovered the u-lock was still on the bicycle rack. Loss value: $680.00. Occurred on 04/06/09 between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: How you secure your bicycle is just as important as the type of lock you use. A u-lock is still our minimum recommendation for bicycle security. You do need to make sure you use the u-lock properly. The u-lock should be used to secure the front wheel AND the frame of your bicycle to the bicycle rack. Place the u-lock as high as you can on the bicycle frame when you secure your bicycle. As always, consider using both a u-lock and a cable lock at the same time. MUSIC BUILDING & RECITAL HALL, 2406 Robert Dedman Theft: A grey Trek Cruiser Classic bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a chain lock to the bicycle racks located on the north side of the building. Loss value: $350.00. Occurred on 04/07/09 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: This is the second bike theft in as many days around this building. Both thefts occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. – a time when there should be people out and about. Let's be observant today – just as we should be everyday. If you see suspicious activity, call the police department as soon as possible at 512.471.4441. If your report leads to the apprehension of a thief, UTPD will buy you the pizza of your choice as part of our Hungry for Justice program. T.S. PAINTER HALL, 103 West 24th Street Graffiti: Black and grey markers were used to write illegible words and to draw an image on a wall located inside a 5th floor men's restroom. Removal cost: $40.00. Discovered on 04/07/09 at 5:00 a.m. UNION BUILDING, #4 West Mall Criminal Trespass: A non-UT subject was stopped by Union Building staff member on the 4th floor which is reserved for use by faculty, staff and students. The subject then went to a ground floor lounge and began to make patrons feel uncomfortable due to the degree in which he stared at them as they walked by. The subject was found to have previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 04/06/09 at 9:47 p.m. WALTER WEBB HALL, 2500 Guadalupe Graffiti: Fluorescent purple paint pens were used to write a word and draw an image on the east exterior wall of the building. Removal cost: $50.00. Discovered on 04/06/09 at 7:06 p.m. 200 West Dean Keeton Leaving the Scene Collision / Driving While Intoxicated: A UT police officer observed the driver of a gold Mercury sedan exit a parking space. The Mercury struck a parked Chrysler sedan while exiting the parking space. The driver of the Mercury, a UT student, left the scene of the collision without leaving driver information. The Mercury continued to drive at night without its headlamps turned on. Once stopped, the student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to be driving and crashing while intoxicated. Occurred on 04/08/09 at 2:14 a.m. 200 West 6th Street Suspicious Activity: A UT officer observed a maroon Nissan Sentra driving beside a female pedestrian as if the driver were trying to make contact with the pedestrian. The driver of the Sentra drove away when the officer pulled a marked police car behind the Sentra. The female pedestrian appeared upset and told the officer the driver of the Sentra had followed her for several blocks and had repeatedly tried to talk into getting into the Sentra. The pedestrian did not know the driver of the Sentra. Occurred on 04/07/09 at 3:30 a.m. Crime Prevention Tip: This is a frightening situation. The pedestrian did a few good things to help protect her in this situation. First, she did not get into the vehicle – that could have been really bad – never get into a car with a stranger. The pedestrian also did not get into a confrontation with the driver. She kept moving, which was great. Here are a few more things you may want to consider to help stay safe in such a situation: - Always go out with friends – there is safety in numbers - Keep your cell phone with you at all times and be prepared to call the police department. - Be aware of your surroundings, know the streets you are on and keep in mind safe places to go to when you need assistance. - Always be ready to run; running in the opposite direction of the vehicle following you gives you an advantage as the driver would need to turn around to keep following you. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 40 alarm calls, 1 fire alarm activation, 6 “Police Help†call box activation, 6 unsecured door reports, 4 public assist requests, 1 grass fire, 1 trashcan fire, 2 medical emergency assist, 1 suspicious package report and 2 suspicious activity reports between 4/06/09 and 4/08/09. 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
