Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Tuesday, 10/20/09 and Thursday, 10/22/09. BRAZOS GARAGE, 210 East MLK Leaving the Scene Collision: An unknown vehicle struck the right rear quarter panel of a silver 2006 Honda Civic while the Honda was parked on the basement level of the garage. The driver of the striking vehicle left the scene of the collision without leaving driver information. Repair cost $200.00. Occurred on 10/20/09 between 10:15 AM and 6:30 PM. BURDINE HALL, 2505 University Theft: A purple Cannondale bicycle was stolen while it was secured with a u-shaped lock to a bicycle rack located on southwest side of the building. Loss value: $200.00. Occurred on 10/21/09 between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. ERNEST COCKRELL JR. HALL, 301 East Dean Keeton Theft: A black Blackberry Bold was stolen after it was left on a countertop inside a 6th floor women's restroom for less than 2 minutes. Loss value: $250.00. Occurred on 10/21/09 between 2:50 PM and 2:52 PM. GOLDSMITH HALL, #5 West Mall Theft: A Trans Jansport backpack containing a 15†Macbook Pro, a black 3G i-phone, a blue wallet containing a debit card, credit card and various forms of identification was stolen after it was left in the 1st floor lobby of the building as the owner worked on an outdoor class project. Loss value: $1,710.00. Occurred on 10/20/09 between 7:00 PM and 7:20 PM. JESSE H. JONES COMMUNICATION CENTER, Building A, 2504 –A Whitis Harassment: A UT student posted a comment on another UT student's Facebook page that was deemed threatening to the second student. The comment was posted a result of the second student's relationship with the first students former girl friend. Reported on 10/21/09 at 3:16 PM. PARKING LOT 103, 2100 Comal Burglary of Motor Vehicle: A window was broken out of a gold 2000 Toyota Camry while the Camry was parked in the eastern side of the parking lot. A pair of bolt cutters was found beside the vehicle as was a document binder containing paperwork belonging to the owner of the vehicle. A car stereo detachable faceplate was stolen from the vehicle. Repair cost: $150.00. Loss value: $60.00. Discovered on 10/21/09 at 12:55 AM. PARKING LOT 115, 1600 East 20th Street Burglary of Motor Vehicle: The right front window to a 2009 Nissan Cube was broken out while the Cube was parked in the southeast corner of the lot. The contents from the glove compartment box appeared to have been rifled through. At the time of the report, it was not determined if anything had been stolen from the vehicle. Repair cost: $150.00. Occurred on 10-21-09 between 12:10 AM and 12:50 AM. PARKING LOT 115, 1600 East 20th Street Criminal Mischief: An unknown object was used to cause damage to the right rear fender and a right passenger window of a 2007 Dodge Charger while the Charger was parked in the southeast section of the parking lot. Repair cost: $200.00. Discovered on 10/21/09 at 12:50 AM. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Theft: A black Hurly backpack containing three text books, an 8GB i-pod Touch and a Dell laptop computer was stolen when it was left on a 6th floor table while the owner went across the street from the library to get something to eat. Loss value: $1,290.00. Occurred on 10/20/09 between 5:20 PM and 6:00 PM. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Theft: A text book was stolen when it was left on a 6th floor table for 35 minutes. Loss value: $300.00. Occurred on 10/20/09 between 7:00 PM and 7:35 PM. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Public Intoxication / Criminal Trespass Warning / Possession of a Controlled Substance: A non-UT subject was reported as sleeping and snoring “very loudly†while under a study table located on the 4th floor. Upon arrival, the officers found the subject and awakened him. The subject showed several signs of inebriation; including an inability to state what day of the week it was or the time of day. When asked how much he had to drink, the subject replied, “Yes.†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. The subject was found to be in possession of two prescription pills without a prescription. In addition to other law enforcement action taken, the subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 10/20/09 at 8:15 PM. SAN ANTONIO GARAGE, 2420 San Antonio Street Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported as sleeping on the 2nd level of the parking garage. After the subject was awakened, he was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 10/21/09 at 4:21 PM. UNION BUILDING, #4 West Mall Theft: A backpack containing a flash-drive, a calculator and a wallet with a variety of identification cards, a credit card, a debit card, a textbook and $15.00 in cash was stolen while the backpack was under a chair the owner was sitting in while working on her laptop computer on the 2nd floor of the building. The owner of the backpack had MPS earbuds in each ear during the time frame of the theft. After learning of the theft, the owner checked her debit and credit card accounts and learned two unauthorized charges had been placed at nearby stores after her backpack was stolen. The owner did have an owner applied identification mark on a certain page in her textbook. After the theft, the owner contacted local book stores with information about her stolen book (see below entry for the 300 block of West 21st Street). Loss value: 280.00. Occurred on 10/20/09 between 10:00 AM and 10:50 AM. Crime Prevention Tip: Whenever in public be mindful of the fact criminals look for people who are distracted or are not paying full attention to their surroundings. Earbuds, or as we often call them “mugger magnets†are a thief's friend. An earbud in each ear prevents a person form hearing what is happening around them. Consider using only one earbud when you listen to your MP3 player, that way you will hear things happening around you which makes you safer and less likely to be targeted by a thief or mugger. Another consideration is the placement of your property when you are studying. Often times, people place their backpack or purse on the floor under the chair or table they are sitting at. A brazen thief will crawl under a table to steal your property. If you find you must place your backpack under your chair or table, consider looping your foot through the shoulder strap of your backpack. That way if a thief wants to crawl under your chair or table to drag your backpack off he would need to drag you with it. UNION BUILDING, #4 West Mall Attempted Theft: A UT student reported seeing two subjects walking away from the building with the student's bicycle. The student confronted the two individuals about the bicycle. The two subjects gave the bicycle back to the student and walked away. The student had “secured†the bicycle with a cable lock. The subject's were described as one white male in his 40's, approximately 5'10†tall and a black male who was approximately 5'10†tall and wearing a black sweat shirt. The two subjects were also in possession of a second bicycle that was silver in color. Recovery value: $100.00. Reported on 10/21/09 at 8:20 PM. UT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 1616 Guadalupe Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was found sleeping on a piece of cardboard by the front entry to the building. The subject obviously woke up on the wrong side of the cardboard as she began to yell “random obscenities†when awakened. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 10/21/09 at 6:36 AM. 2400 Guadalupe Assist Outside Agency / Possession of a Controlled Substance: A non-UT subject was found to be unconscious on the sidewalk. When the subject was awakened, he was found to have an outstanding outside agency arrest warrant for Theft by Appropriation. The subject was also found to be in possession of a prescription pill without a prescription. Occurred on 10/21/09 at 12:10 AM. 300 West 21st Street Possession of Stolen Property / Possession of Marijuana (see Union Theft Entry): UT police officers were summoned to a book store located inside Dobie Center to investigate a report of an individual attempting to sell a stolen text book. The victim of the stolen book had contacted the book store earlier in the day about the stolen book and that the book could be identified by a unique owner applied mark that had been placed on a specific page. When the book title came across the counter, the store employee checked that specific page and discovered the owner applied mark. The non-UT subject who had attempted to sell the book advised the responding officers a homeless person on “The Drag†asked him to sell the book and that the homeless person would pay him $5 for selling the book. The homeless person was described as a white male in his 20's, 5'10†to 5'11†tall, brown hair, full beard and last seen wearing a hat and “beat-up t-shirt.†The victim came to the scene and identified her book. The subject was also found to be in possession of a Texas Instruments calculator and an 8GB flash-drive that matched the description of a calculator and flash-drive that had also been stolen from the victim. The subject was also in possession of a hand rolled cigarette containing .01 ounces of marijuana. Recovery value: $230.00. Occurred on 10/20/09 at 4:06 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: Marking your property with an owner applied number plays a significant roll in the identification and retrieval of stolen property. In this case, the victim placed an identifier on a specific page which led to the retrieval of her book and the apprehension of a suspect. To mark your property, check out an engraver from the UT Police Department or any dormitory front desk. Mark property like your laptop, desktop, calculator, cell phone, MP3 player etc with your state issued driver's license number or ID card number. In Texas that would “TX†and the 8 digit number. Use a pen or Sharpie to mark your books and music CDs. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 37 alarm calls, 2 medical emergency assists, 2 suspicious activity reports and 2 public assist requests between 10/20/09 and 10/22/09. 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
