Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Friday, 11/06/09 and Monday, 11/09/09. Our heart goes out to the friends and family members of the victims of Thursday's attack at Fort Hood. With such an event affecting our neighbors it is difficult to deny the pain that comes with such tragedies. We encourage every UT faculty, staff and student member to visit the UT Police Department webpage to view the Flashpoint video to derive information to help you identify a person in distress and options you have to handle such situations. To view the video, go to the UT Police Department webpage (http://www.utexas.edu/police/) and click on the “Safety Videos†button at the bottom of the page. One such option for reporting someone who exhibits behaviors of concern is to call the Behavioral Concerns Advise Line or BCAL. Everyone should program the BCAL number into their cell phone. That number is (512)232-5050. If you observe a behavior or hear a statement made by someone on campus that has you concerned, call the BCAL for guidance on what can and should be done. While you are at the UT Police Department web site, also invest 22 minutes to view the Lightning Strikes video. This informative video demonstrates what you can do in the event you are faced with an active shooter. ****Theft Stat Countdown**** We are 37 reported thefts from tying the lowest theft rate we have had in four years. There are 52 days left in 2009. While reviewing today's Campus Watch entries, keep in mind a burglary of motor vehicle is not listed as a theft. While a theft did occur during the burglary, a burglary of motor vehicle is a whole different category of crime. Our goal is always to prevent all thefts, but it sure would be a nice end to the calendar year knowing we had the lowest theft rate in four years. Let's all do our part to prevent thefts. Make sure you keep your office or dorm room door closed and locked. Mark your property with your state issued driver's license number. Use a quality u-lock and a cable lock to secure your bicycle. Be sure to report suspicious activity to the UT Police Department at 512-471-4441. Finally, never, ever leave your property unattended. CAROTHERS DORMITORY, 2501 Whitis Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: While investigating a report of the odor of burning marijuana, officers located three UT students inside a 3rd floor dormitory room. One of the students was found to be in possession of two boxes containing marijuana residue, a homemade pipe and a plastic bag containing rolling papers. Occurred on 11/06/09 at 3:23 PM COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 2110 Speedway Theft / Credit Card Abuse: A UT student reported his backpack had been stolen out of the building sometime in September of 2009. When his backpack was stolen, it contained three of the student's credit cards. The backpack also contained a piece of paper with the student's computer login information and the combination to the student's Taylor Hall 5th floor office door lock. Since the theft, the student stated he has found his Taylor Hall 5th floor office in disarray several times. Recently, the student discovered $3,000.00 in unauthorized charges to his three credit cards. The charges were made to an on-line poker site. The investigation also showed the on-line poker site was accessed via the student's Taylor Hall office computer. Reported on 11/06/09 at 5:04 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: If you find you are victimized, do not wait to report the crime. In this case, the victim did not report the theft until months later when he discovered unauthorized charges on his credit card. Had the victim reported the theft in September, the officer would have told the victim to cancel his stolen credit cards thereby preventing the credit card abuse. DARRELL K ROYAL TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM, 405 East 23rd Street Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: A non-UT subject was found entering the stadium while in possession of a metal pipe containing burned marijuana residue. Occurred on 11/07/09 at 11:15 AM. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Theft: A non-UT subject purchased four tickets from a ticket vendor for $1,000.00. Upon attempting to enter the building with his family, the subject was turned away. Event staff advised the subject the tickets had been reported as lost or stolen by the ticket vendor. A representative of the ticket vendor was summoned to the scene and later advised the tickets should not have been reported as lost or stolen. The vendor representative purchased new tickets for the subject. Reported on 11/06/09 at 7:00 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: Caveat emptor is Latin for “Let the buyer beware.†Even if this investigation reveals this was a miscommunication, the patron was almost out of $1,000.00 and nearly missed the show. If the vendor had not responded to the venue to clear the situation up, the patron would have been very disappointed. Make sure you buy your show tickets from an authorized ticket distributor for the venue or show. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Public Intoxication / Resisting Arrest: An event staff member reported a non-UT subject, who refused to go to her seat, was “touching†other patrons and was blocking a Mezzanine level aisle. Officers found the subject leaning over a balcony using her shirt as a signaling device instead of an article of clothing. Officers stood by as the subject unsuccessfully tried to put her shirt on. When a female officer stepped in to assist, the subject “swatted at†the officer. The subject then pushed officers who were attempting to control the subject. The subject exclaimed, “Do you know who I work for?†The subject's place of employment had no bearing on the fact she was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point she was a danger to herself and any officer within her arm's reach. While escorting the subject from the Mezzanine level via the elevator, the subject began to kick at the officers. One officer used his ankle to brace the subject's foot against the elevator wall to prevent her from kicking. For his trouble, the subject decided to relieve her pent up bladder on his leg. Occurred on 11/06/09 at 9:55 PM. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Public Intoxication / Possession of Another's Driver's License: A non-UT subject was reported as doing to the Mezzanine floor what the above mentioned subject had done to the officer's leg. The subject had difficulty following directions and maintaining his balance. 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 also found to be in possession of another's valid driver's license. Occurred on 11/06/09 at 9:53 PM. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Assault by Contact / Public Intoxication / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: An event staff member reported he had asked a patron to return to his seat several times as the patron was blocking an aisle. The last time the staff member told the subject to return to his seat, the patron pushed the staff member. The non-UT patron was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to be a danger to himself and others. The subject was also found to be in possession of a small pipe containing burned marijuana residue. Occurred on 11/06/09 at 10:14 PM. FRANK C ERWIN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, 1701 Red River Theft: A pink Coach purse containing a Blackberry cellular telephone, a driver's license, a debit card, two credit cards, two bracelets, a necklace and a terry-cloth jacket was stolen from the floor of the arena while the owner leapt from her seat in an effort to catch a souvenir thrown form the stage. Loss value: $605.00. Reported on 11/06/09 at 11:15 PM. GREGORY GYMNASIUM, 2101 Speedway Theft: A UT student reported his black Apple i-phone was stolen while he was working out in the weight room. The student believed his phone was in his pocket while he was doing circuit training. Loss value: $300.00. Occurred on 11/09/09 between 10:20 PM and 12:10 AM. GREGORY GYMNASIUM, 2101 Speedway Theft: A pink clutch wallet containing various identification cards, a debit card, a credit card and $70 in cash was stolen from a purse that was left inside an unsecured locker located in the 2nd floor women's locker room. Loss value: $75.00. Occurred on 11/08/09 between 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: A locker is only as good as the lock used to secure it. In this case, there was no lock; making the locker useless. Invest a few dollars and a couple of seconds to place a lock on your locker when you go to work out. A key operated lock is preferred. JESTER CENTER ACADEMIC, 201 East 21st Street Public Intoxication: A UT student was reported as being intoxicated inside a 1st floor men's restroom. The student, who was being attended to by a friend, was found “sprawled†across a porcelain water fixture. The student was not able to stand or even sit upright. The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point Austin-Travis County EMS needed to transport the student to a local hospital for the treatment of alcohol poisoning. Occurred on 11/07/09 at 2:53 AM. JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Harassment: A UT student reported receiving an offensive picture text message from her brother-in-law after engaging her sister and brother-in-law in a dispute regarding her brother-in-law being captured on a red-light camera running a stop sign while driving the student's car. Needless to say, the citations for running the red light had been sent to the student. Reported on 11/06/09 at 3:50 PM. JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Criminal Trespass: A UT student, who was not a resident of the dormitory, entered a 5th floor dormitory room without the consent of the residents. The student wanted to have a conversation with his girlfriend who was inside the room. The residents of the room told the student to leave the room. When the student refused, the residents summoned a resident assistant who also told the student to leave. The student again refused to leave. The student left only after the resident assistant called the police department. Occurred on 11/07/09 at 10:45 PM. PRATHER HALL DORMITORY, 305 East 21st Street Theft: A grey Schwinn Tourist hybrid bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the south side of the dormitory. Loss value: $150.00. Occurred between 11/04/09 at 12:30 PM and 11/06/09 at 12:30 PM. ROBERT LEE MOORE HALL, 2515 Speedway Attempted Theft / Evading Arrest or Detention: An unidentified subject was seen carrying a “Caution: Wet Floor†warning sign while walking away from the building. Upon seeing a police officer, the subject dropped the sign and began to flee the area on foot. The officer chased after the subject for several blocks before losing the subject. The officer returned to the sign and noticed the sign had the words “RLM 7th Floor†written on both sides of the sign. The subject was described as a white male in his early 20's, approximately 5'7†tall, weighing 175 pounds, with shoulder length hair and wearing a green t-shirt, blue jeans and eye glasses. Recovery value: $30.00. Occurred on 11/07/09 at 1:23 AM. SAN ANTONIO GARAGE, 2420 San Antonio Criminal Mischief / Criminal Trespass / Possession of a Dangerous Drug / Criminal Trespass Warning (2 counts): Three non-UT subjects were found sitting on the ground on the top level of the parking garage. The three subjects were sitting amongst shards of broken glass from an overhead light fixture that had been broken out. The investigation showed one of the three subjects had broken the light fixture out. That subject was also found to have previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning. The second subject was found to be in possession of a plastic bag containing four prescription pills. That subject did not possess a prescription for that drug. In addition to other law enforcement action taken, that subject was also issued a written criminal trespass warning. The third subject was obviously just with the wrong crowd as he was the only one not found to be in violation of another law. That subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 11/07/09 at 7:47 PM. UT Campus Assist Outside Agency: UT Police Officers responded to a medical emergency of a student who was passed out. When the student was awakened, she stated she had been at a house party located north of campus and made an outcry that she had been sexually assaulted at that party. Austin-Travis County EMS transported the student to a nearby hospital where Austin Police Department investigators took over the investigation as the crime occurred off of campus. Reported on 11/07/09 at 1:23 AM Crime Prevention Tip: Statistics show that in the vast majority of sexual assault cases, the victim knows the offender. This does not mean a “date rape†as most think of; instead, this means the victim is assaulted by someone they simply knew – could be someone they just met. Those same studies show that alcohol consumption is a commonality in many sexual assaults. This means one or both people involved in a sexual assault had been drinking. If either person is impaired due to intoxication, consent cannot be given. 100 West Dean Keeton Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was observed staggering and swaying as he walked. The student was found to have consumed alcoholic beverage, but not to the point he was deemed to be a danger to himself or others. Occurred on 11/08/09 at 4:16 AM. 2200 Robert Dedman Assist Outside Agency: A non-UT subject was stopped for driving a vehicle at night with a defective taillight. The subject was found to have an outstanding outside agency arrest warrant for a traffic violation. Occurred on 11/06/09 at 6:36 PM. 2000 San Jacinto Theft: Thirty 5' by 3' sports banners were cut down from a display rack and stolen from a souvenir sales tent located beside the football stadium. Loss value: $1,800.00. Occurred between 11/06/09 at 3:00 PM and 11/07/09 at 5:10 AM. 2500 San Jacinto Driving Under the Influence by a Minor / Open Container in a Vehicle / Driving with an Expired License: A non-UT subject, who was under the age of 21, was stopped after striking a center median while turning in a tan 2001 GMC Yukon. The subject was found to have consumed alcoholic beverages, but not to the point he was deemed to have been driving while intoxicated. An open bottle of beer was found inside the vehicle. The subject was also found to have been driving while his license was expired. The subject refused to sign the citations issued to him. The subject continued to refuse to sign the citations even after it was explained to him that he would be arrested if he did not sign the citations. The warning was not headed and the subject learned the officer was not bluffing. Occurred on 11/08/09 at 3:31 AM. 3000 University Public Intoxication: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was observed doing his best to follow another student. The first student's ability to follow the second was hindered by his heavy staggering and falling down. The first student stated he had consumed three or four beers at a nearby fraternity house. The student was found to be under the influence of said beer to the point he was deemed to be a danger to himself. Occurred on 11/07/09 at 1:28 AM. 100 West 6th Street Assault: A UT Guard Officer heard a female scream for help. The guard looked in the direction of the scream and observed a female student slap a male subject in the face. The investigation showed the student and subject are former acquaintances who had met for a late dinner as friends. After the two began to argue, the student started to walk away. The male subject grabbed her arm o keep her form leaving. The student threatened to cry for help and then did. To get the subject to release her arm, she slapped him in the face. The student did not wish to file charges. Occurred on 11/08/09 at 2:33 AM. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 32 alarm calls, 4 “Police Help Call Box activations, 4 suspicious activity reports, 9 public assist requests, 2 light malfunction reports, 1 found property report, 3 medical emergency assists and 10 unsecured door reports between 11/06/09 and 11/09/09. 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. 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. You may also direct comments to Officer William Pieper at 512-232-9638 or by e-mail at photocop@mail.utexas.edu. Prepared by WRP To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
