Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Wednesday, 10/07/09 and Thursday, 10/08/09. ***Safety Week and National Night Out*** This week there are all kinds of events planned around the 40 Acres. Each day has a different theme to highlight health, safety and crime related issues. Thursday stop by the West Mall between 11 AM and 2 PM to meet with representatives from various offices around campus to learn about general health and wellness. The health and wellness day continues during the Tejas Coffee Panel Discussion on sexual health. The Tejas Coffee will be held in the Tejas House located in the 2600 block of Rio Grande between 9 PM and 10 PM. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Criminal Mischief: An unknown object was used to strike a 12†by 12†section of an LCD display screen that was located on the south exterior wall of the building. The object caused that section of the screen to fail. Repair cost: $650.00. Occurred between 10/03/09 at 8:00 AM and 10/06/09 at 8:00 AM. MANOR GARAGE, 2017 Robert Dedman Theft of Motor Vehicle: An unknown brand scooter was stolen while it was left on the 2nd level of the parking garage. Loss value: $500.00. Occurred between 10/06/09 at 8:30 PM and 10/07/09 at 6:30 AM. SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK BUILDING, 1925 San Jacinto Theft: A grey Marin bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the southwest side of the building. Loss value: $125.00. Occurred on 10/07/09 between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. 1500 Guadalupe Driving While Intoxicated / Open Container in a Motor Vehicle: A non-UT subject was stopped for driving the wrong way on a one-way roadway while driving a Lexus sedan. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point she was deemed to have been driving while intoxicated. An open bottle of tequila was found inside the vehicle. Occurred on 10/08/09 at 12:45 AM. 2300 Robert Dedman Theft: A group of UT students were found engaged in suspicious activity. During the investigation, one of the student's vehicles was located parked in the 2300 block of Robert Dedman. Two University of Texas Parking and Transportation Services parking signs could be seen inside the vehicle. The student stated he took the signs as he thought “it would be cool.†Recovery value: $40.00. Occurred on 10/08/09 at 2:28 AM. 4500 Speedway (off campus) Assault by Contact: A UT student reported while she was jogging she stopped in the 4500 block of Speedway to take a break. An unknown white male subject approached her from behind, grabbed her right shoulder and left wrist. The student jumped and turned around. The subject apologized and stated he didn't mean to frighten her and thought she wanted to kiss him. The student was able to break free and run from the scene. The subject was described as a white male with red hair and a red beard. Occurred on 10/07/09 at 8:40 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: We do not always report crimes that occur off campus and are not part of our primary jurisdiction, but there are several safety and crime prevention tips that should be addressed with cases such as this one. First and foremost, always remember there is safety in numbers. Whenever possible, go places with friends. Having a running buddy helps keep you motivated and provides extra protection from those wishing to cause you harm. Many of us like to listen to music while working out – some feel it is a necessity. Keep this in mind, people who are prone to committing crimes against others look for people who are not paying attention to their surroundings. Wearing both ear buds to your MP3 player prevents you from being able to hear people around you. Whenever running, cycling or walking, only wear one ear bud. This will allow you to hear approaching people and cars. Such distractions are not limited to MP3 players. Engaged in a cell phone conversation while walking can also be very distracting which can make you an easier target for someone wishing to cause you harm. This is not to say you should not have your cell phone with you. You should always have a cell phone with you. A cell phone is the best crime prevention tool ever made. A cell phone provides you with quick communications to the police department. You can dial 9-1-1 on a cell phone even if you do not have an active phone service. Consider carrying a self defense implements such as pepper spray or a personal alarm. Of course such devices only work if you have access to them when needed. With this in mind, always carry such items in your hand when you are out and about. Finally, never under-estimate your own intuition or sense of security. If you find yourself in an area or situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, then leave the area or situation. In this case, the student broke free from the suspect and fled the area as fast as she could. As always, I would like to recommend the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program to our female faculty, staff and student members. This free 16 hour course provides a litany of concepts, ideas, prevention ideologies and viable defensive tactics. 100 East 21st Street Possession of More Than One Driver's License: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was stopped for failing to dim the high beam headlamps of his Toyota sedan while passing vehicles. The student was found to be in possession of his driver's license and a valid driver's license belonging to another who was over the age of 21. Occurred on 10/08/09 at 12 midnight. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 14 alarm calls, 1 “Police Help†call box activation, 4 medical emergency assists, 1 public assist call, 1 suspicious vehicle report, 2 lost property reports and 1 unsecured door report between 10/07/09 and 10/08/09. 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/ Emergency Text Message Service The University of Texas at Austin and its police department are responsible for notifying faculty, staff, and students of emergency situations (e.g., inclement weather, building evacuations, campus closures, etc.). The University employs a wide variety of tools to make sure everyone on campus is informed during an emergency event—including text messaging. In order to accomplish emergency text messaging more effectively, the University is collecting cell phone numbers from members of our campus community. Effective August 26, 2009, this database of cell phone numbers will be used for emergency text messages. Please complete the form at http://www.utexas.edu/cellphonealert so you will become an integral part of this important emergency notification system and help the university to achieve the highest standards of campus and community safety. Your cell phone number will not be used for any other purpose. If you require any additional information regarding this service, please contact Campus Safety and Security at (512) 471-5767. 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. 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
