Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Friday, 07/10/09 and Monday, 07/13/09. BRAZOS GARAGE, 210 East MLK Criminal Mischief / Theft of Service: An as of yet unidentified subject was captured on the parking garage video surveillance system exiting a tan Chevrolet sport utility vehicle. The subject approached the exit control arm gate and physically forced it upward. The subject then entered the Chevrolet and drove out of the parking garage. Repair cost: $50.00. Occurred on 07/10/09 at 1:27 a.m. CLAUDIA T. JOHNSON HALL, 210 West 6th Street Disorderly Conduct – Fighting in a Public Place: A UT student approached a former acquaintance of his and began to argue with her. When the argument escalated, the current acquaintance of the female subject stepped in. The student and the current acquaintance of the female decided to exchange something more personal than business cards as both parties received punches from the other. Neither subject wished to file criminal charges for assault. Occurred on 07/11/09 at 2:33 a.m. COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 2110 Speedway Theft: Two grey Dell laptop computers, two Dell laptop computer hard drives and a black laptop computer carrying case were stolen from a 5th floor office. Loss value: $2,200. Occurred between 07/09/09 at 10:30 a.m. and 07/10/09 at 8:30 a.m. COLORDAO BUILDING, 702 Colorado Street Criminal Mischief: Three unidentified subjects pulled and broke off two tree branches on a tree located on the south side of the building. A nearby video surveillance camera captured the image of two white male subjects and one black male subject pulling the branches until they broke. Occurred on 07/12/09 at 5:33 a.m. ERNEST COCKRELL JR. HALL, 301 East Dean Keeton Theft: A silver and grey HP laptop computer was stolen from a 4th floor office. Loss value: $1,000.00. Occurred between 07/03/09 at 8:00 a.m. and 07/10/09 at 12 noon. ERNEST COCKRELL JR. HALL, 301 East Dean Keeton Theft: A key ring containing several UT keys for the building was stolen from inside a 4th floor office. The theft of the keys occurred sometime in April of 2009. This theft was reported to the police department after a series of burglaries in which it was believed the thief used keys to gain entry. Loss value: $10.00. Reported on 07/10/09 at 9:30 a.m. ERNEST COCKRELL JR. HALL, 301 East Dean Keeton Theft: A key ring containing several UT keys for the building was stolen from inside a 4th floor office. The theft of the keys occurred sometime in July of 2009. This theft was reported to the police department after a series of burglaries in which it was believed the thief used keys to gain entry. Loss value: $10.00. Reported on 07/10/09 at 9:30 a.m. ERNEST COCKRELL JR. HALL, 301 East Dean Keeton Burglary: While conducting a walking check of the building, a UT Police officer was dispatched to the 9th floor where a UT student reported seeing a subject using several keys on a key ring in an attempt to enter a 9th floor office. When the subject saw the student, the subject hastily entered an elevator and left the 9th floor. The student called the UTPD police department and provided a description of the subject. That description matched the description of a burglary suspect from other recent burglary cases. Officers quickly set-up a perimeter around the building. One of the officers observed a subject exiting the building that matched the description of the suspect. The non-UT subject was found to be in possession of several sets of key-rings which contained UT keys, various forms of identification that did not belong to the suspect, several credit and debit cards that did not belong to the subject, tools, a flashlight and a Sony Bus hub. Occurred on 07/11/09 at 9:30 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: The above mentioned cases really highlight an important issue regarding the effectiveness of door locks. A lock will only secure a door if the key to the lock is kept secure as well. In two of the above mentioned cases, keys to the building had been stolen and were not reported. Had the theft of the keys been reported when they had been stolen, the door locks to the affected doors could have been re-keyed to prevent the subsequent thefts. All of that being said, let's look at a few key control security recommendations that could serve to assist you in keeping your work area safe and crime free. First and foremost, follow the UT Locks & Keys rules regarding the issuance and return of keys. Keys are issued to individuals who are then responsible for the keys. Often times, employees turn their keys into their supervisor when they leave the university. This is not the proper procedure. If a key was issued to you, then it is your responsibility to make sure the key is turned back into Locks & Keys. Any department that collects keys from departing employees should make sure the keys are turned into the Locks and Keys office. Having extra keys in the office, or giving keys from a former employee to a new employee is just not a good idea and very bad for security and accountability. Never, ever mark your key ring or keys. In one of the above cases, the stolen keys were labeled with the building and room numbers for the keys. In the burglary case listed today, the reporting person picked up on the suspicious activity as the subject was trying several keys on a door lock. Had that key ring been labeled, the thief would have known exactly which key to use which would have made his actions less suspicious. Do your part to protect your work environment. In this case, the description of the burglary suspect from the previous cases was obtained from an ingenious employee who used a motion sensing computer camera to capture the burglar entering his office. The reporting person in the above burglary recognized the suspicious activity and reported that activity to the police department. I think both parties are deserving of a pizza as part of our Hungry for Justice Program. People, do your part. If you suspect suspicious or criminal activity, report it to the police department, share the information with your peers and take measures to protect your work space by locking up your personal belongings. JACK S. BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART, 200 East MLK Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found performing skateboard tricks on the plaza located on the west side of the museum. Skateboarding on campus is a violation of UT Parking and Transportation Rules and Regulations. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 07/11/09 at 9:39 a.m. SAN ANTONIO GARAGE, 2420 San Antonio Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found sleeping in a parking space located on the 4th level of the garage. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning citation. Occurred on 07/13/09 at 12:20 a.m. TOWNES HALL, 727 East Dean Keeton Criminal Trespass: A non-UT subject was found watching television in a 1st floor lounge. The subject had previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning for the building. Occurred on 07/11/09 at 6:10 p.m. 2200 Robert Dedman Driving While Intoxicated / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession of a Controlled Substance: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was stopped for two equipment violations while driving a red 2001 Ford Ranger pick-up truck. The student admitted to having consumed a specially made brownie guaranteed to further one's hunger. The student was found to be under the influence of marijuana to the point she was deemed to have been driving while intoxicated. The student was found to be in possession of several pipes containing burned marijuana residue, a plastic bag containing .03 ounces of marijuana and a small brown object that is believed to be a psilocybin mushroom. Occurred on 07/13/09 at 1:04 a.m. 400 East 23rd Street Driving While Intoxicated with an Open Container: A UT student was stopped for traveling 40 miles per hour in a 15 mile per hour zone while driving a grey Nissan Altima. The student was deemed to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to be driving while intoxicated. Two open cans of Mad Dog 20/20 were found inside the vehicle. Occurred on 07/11/09 at 2:25 a.m. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 44 alarm calls, 3 “Police Help call box alarms, 1 fire alarm response, 4 suspicious activity reports, 3 collision reports, 1 medical emergency assist, 5 malfunctioning lights, 8 public assist requests and 9 unsecured door reports between 07/10/09 and 07/13/09. 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 cover 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
