Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Monday, 07/13/09 and Tuesday, 07/14/09. BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES, 205 West 24th Street Theft: A blue and yellow Trek bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the north side of the building. Loss value: $200.00. Occurred on 07/13/09 between 7:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. JESSE H. JONES COMMUNICATIONS CENTER, 2605 Whitis Theft: A copper colored Jamis bicycle was stolen while it was secured with a u-lock to a bicycle rack located on the east side of the building. Loss value: $525.00. Occurred between 07/10/09 and 07/13/09 at 3:46 p.m. PARLIN HALL, #2 South Mall Theft: A purple Breezer bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack locate don't he east side of the building. Loss value: $400.00. Occurred on 07/12/09 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Crime Prevention Tip: Of the three bicycle thefts listed in today's Campus Watch, two were “secured†with cable locks while one was secured with a u-lock. The theft of a bicycle secured with a u-lock is a rare happening on campus. The vast majority of stolen bicycles were stolen while they were “secured†with a cable lock. That is why UTPD's minimum recommendation for bicycle security is the use of a quality u-lock. Our recommendation for maximum security is the use of a quality u-lock and an independently locking cable lock at the same time. Never use a cable lock by itself. Thieves shy away from bicycles secured with both types of locks as a u-lock requires them to use one tool and a cable lock requires them to use a second tool. As always, register your bicycle with the UT Parking and Transportation Services office. This is free and can be done on-line at http://www.utexas.edu/parking/transportation/biking/registration.html Please be mindful of how you are securing your bicycle. Make sure the lock goes through the bicycle frame, the front wheel and around the bicycle rack. If the u-lock is not placed properly, a thief can disassemble part of the bicycle, slide the u-lock off of the bicycle and then assemble the bicycle. PETER T. FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER, #2 West Mall Criminal Trespass: A UT staff member approached a non-UT subject who was using a computer designated for student use and asked the subject to leave. When the subject refused to leave, the staff member called the police department. The subject was found to have previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning. At that point, the subject's decision to stay or go was no longer his to make. Occurred on 07/13/09 at 1:34 p.m. PETER T. FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER, #2 West Mall Graffiti: A black permanent marker was used to draw an image on a wall in a ground floor men's restroom. Removal cost: $30.00. Reported on 07/13/09 at 4:00 p.m. SOUTH MALL Public Intoxication / Possession of a Fictitious Driver License: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was found sleeping in the fetal position on the South Mall. The student was found to be in possession of a fictitious driver's license which purported him to be 21 years old. The student was also found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to be a danger to himself. Occurred on 07/14/09 at 2:15 a.m. TOWNES HALL, 727 East Dean Keeton Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found sleeping on a couch located in a 2nd floor room. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 07/14/09 at 2:44 a.m. WATSON HOUSE, 1800 Red River Burglary: The hasp and lock to an exterior door of the house was pried from the door frame. The house's heating unit had its hatch door removed in what appeared to be an attempt to access the heater's internal metal content. No items appeared to have been stolen from the house. Repair cost: $50.00. Discovered on 07/13/09 at 11:48 a.m. 2400 Whitis Suspicious Activity: An unidentified bystander placed an emergency telephone call to the police department to report seeing a female subject in a pick-up truck with her hands bound by red rope and duct tape over her mouth. The reporting person advised the truck was also occupied by two male subjects and was last seen driving away from campus. A massive search of the area resulted in one of UT's finest locating the vehicle. The two male occupants of the vehicle and the female occupant of the vehicle were all identified as UT students. The driver of the vehicle stated the three were only pulling a “prank†and wanted to get some laughs, so he and the other male student tied the female student up and taped her mouth to make it appear as if she had been abducted. The driver stated they drove around campus and out to Barton Springs. Statements of the other male occupant and the female occupant confirmed the driver's statements. Occurred on 07/13/09 at 3:05 p.m. Reality Check: Kidnapping is a serious offense that is considered by most law enforcement officers as a high risk stop. As such, these types of calls are treated as potentially dangerous. Fresh kidnapping calls require a great deal of police resources. In this case, numerous officers were tied up looking for the suspect vehicle and handling the subsequent investigation. During the time frame of the call, two lower priority calls for service were held until the vehicle was located. Furthermore, several dedicated officers from the day shift stayed on-duty after their shift ended to help look for the suspect vehicle. I must wonder if the three students in this case truly thought out the ramifications of their behavior. I can say with confidence that their lack of maturity was demonstrated in their actions. The only positive things that came from this call can be attributed to the pedestrian who observed and reported the activity to the police department and the demonstration of dedication, professionalism and commitment on the part of the UT Police Officers. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 17 alarm calls, 1 “Police Help call box alarm, 1 fire alarm response, 2 suspicious activity reports, 2 medical emergency assists, 1 malfunctioning light, 2 public assist requests 1 welfare concern report and 2 unsecured door reports between 07/13/09 and 07/14/09. 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
