Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Friday, 11/13/09 and Monday, 11/16/09. ****Theft Stat Countdown**** We are 27 reported thefts from tying the lowest theft rate we have had in four years. There are 46 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. CLAUDIA T. JOHNSON HALL, 210 West 6th Street Criminal Trespass Warning / Possession of Marijuana: A non-UT subject was found sleeping on a bench located on the east side of the building. When asked for his identification, the subject pulled a cigarette pack out of his pocket. The subject stated some people carry their identification in their cigarette packs. As the subject handed the pack to the officer, he smiled and said, “and drugs too.†Sure enough, the officer discovered a plastic bag containing .04 ounces of marijuana. In addition to other law enforcement action taken, the subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 11/15/09 at 4:26 AM. COLORADO APARTMENTS, 2501 Lake Austin Blvd Theft: A black Motiv bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located by apartment building B. Loss value: $80.00. Occurred between 11/06/09 and 11/08/09. E.P. SCHOCH BUILDING, #6 East Mall Theft: A black TimBuk2 messenger style bag containing a u-lock, miscellaneous papers, folders, receipts and a wallet with various identification cards, credit cards, bank cards and $12 in cash was stolen while the bag was left on a planter box located on the south side of the building. Loss value: $40.00. Occurred on 11/14/09 between 10:40 AM and 10:45 AM. EAST MALL Criminal Mischief: An unknown subject(s) turned trashcans over, placed sand at the feet of a statue and littered the mall with newspapers. Similar damage was also found at the South Mall. Clean-up cost: $75.00. Discovered on 11/14/09 at 5:38 AM. INTRAMURAL FIELDS, 4901 Guadalupe Criminal Mischief: The right front window was broken out of a parked 2001 Nissan pathfinder. No items were stolen from the vehicle. The manner in which the window was broken could not be determined. Repair cost: $200.00. Occurred on 11/15/09 between 6:15 PM and 11:00 PM. JACKSON GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES BUILDING, #10 East Mall Burglary of Building / Criminal Mischief: A glass window insert to an entry door to a 6th floor office suite was broken out. Inside the office suite, four more glass window door inserts were broken out. At the time of the report, it is unknown if any items were stolen from the 6th floor office suite offices. Repair cost: $250.00. Occurred between 11/14/09 at 8:00 PM and 11/15/09 at 7:50 AM. JESSE H. JONES COMMUNICATIONS CENTER, BUILDING A, 2504 Whitis Graffiti: Several different permanent markers were used to write words on a wall located inside a 3rd floor men's restroom. Removal cost: $75.00. Discovered on 11/13/09 at 9:00 AM. NEURAL AND MOLECULAR SCIENCE BUILDING, 2506 Speedway Scam: A UT staff member reported receiving a suspicious telephone call in which the caller stated he wanted to send her a “brochure for her photocopier†and asked for the serial number of the photocopier. The staff member recognized this as a scam from reading the Campus Watch and declined to provide information about the photocopier. After the call, the staff member hung the receiver up, picked it back up and dialed *57 which trapped the telephone number of the caller. Occurred on 11/13/09 at approximately 1:50 PM. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Criminal Trespass Warning / Assist Outside Agency: A UT student observed two people “scoping out†unattended laptops on the 6th floor of the library. When the student left the library, he observed the same two subjects and a third subject using a pair of bolt cutters to cut a cable lock that was being used to “secure†a white and green bicycle to the bicycle racks located on the north side of the library. Once the bicycle was removed from the racks, one of the three subjects rode away on the bicycle. The subject that rode away was described as a heavy-set Hispanic female in her 20's wearing a black shirt. The other two subjects were described as a white male, approximately 6' 1†tall, slim build wearing a green and white “trucker hat†and a white female, 5' tall, slim build, dark hair and wearing a chain link purse. The original two subjects were located a few blocks away. The male subject was found to have an outstanding outside agency arrest warrant for forgery. Both subjects were issued written criminal trespass warning citations. The Hispanic female and bicycle were not located. Occurred on 11/15/09 at 3:12 PM. ROBERT A. WELCH HALL, 105 East 24th Street Burglary of a Building: An unknown subject(s) accessed a 1st floor corridor by removing a ceiling tile and climbing over a wall aligning the corridor. There was evidence that ceiling tiles in the corridor next to adjoining walls had also been removed but access could not be gained. In the process, one of the ceiling tiles had been damaged. Repair cost: $50.00. Reported on 11/15/09 at 4:40 PM. SAN JACINTO RESIDENCE HALL, 309 East 21st Street Public Intoxication: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was reported as being “semi-conscious†in the lobby of the dormitory. When officers arrived, it was discovered that the student had gone to a 4th floor dormitory room and entered the room. The only problem; she did not live in that room and neither resident of the room knew her. The student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point she was deemed to be a danger to herself (not to mention a danger to others' privacy). In lieu of being taken into custody, the student was turned over to her roommate, who agreed to assume care, custody and control of her. Occurred on 11/14/09 at 1:00 AM. UNION BUILDING, #4 West Mall Criminal Trespass: A non-UT subject was reported as using a Union Building computer, which is reserved for use by faculty, staff and students, to view images that are best not viewed in a public place. The subject was found to have previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning citation for viewing such images on the computer on a previous date. Occurred on 11/14/09 at 3:50 PM. UNIVERSITY TEACHING CENTER, 105 West 21st Street Theft: A blue Dell laptop computer was stolen after it was left on a floor outside of a 3rd floor classroom. The owner left the laptop on the floor to go take a test in the aforementioned classroom. Loss value: $1,000.00. Occurred on 11/13/09 between 8:50 AM and 9:10 AM. 27TH STREET GARAGE, 109 West 27th Street Armed Robbery: UTPD reports an armed robbery on campus at approximately 12:10 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2009. The robbery occurred in the 100 Block of East 27th street. The robbery suspect is described as a Hispanic male between 5'6" and 5'9" wearing jeans, black shirt and a dark baseball cap. He may also have a goatee. The subject was last seen walking in a northeast direction away from the garage. Loss value: $225.00. Occurred on 11/15/09 at 11:49 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: There is normally safety in numbers. Whenever possible, take friends with you when you go out. At all times, you should be aware of your surroundings. In this case, the victim was on the telephone when he was approached by the robber. Many thieves and robbers look for people who are preoccupied by cell phone conversations or those who are listening to MP3 players and wearing ear buds in both ears. If possible, refrain from engaging in telephone conversations when you are driving or walking. If you are listening to your MP3 player, leave one of the two ear buds out so you can hear approaching danger. The victim in this case did do several things very well. First, when he recognized he was being robbed, he offered up his property without resistance. All of your possessions can be replaced; your life cannot. He complied with the robbers' commands. Once the robber left the area, the victim ran to a safe location and called the police. In doing all of this, the victim was also able to obtain a decent description of the robber. 400 East 23rd Street Public Intoxication: A non-UT subject was found passed out on a bench. When the subject was awakened, he stated he was 21 blocks away from where he was located and also thought the day was Wednesday. 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. Occurred on 11/15/09 at 3:17 AM. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 29 alarm calls, 1 “police Help†call box activation, 1 fire alarm report, 1 suspicious person report, 4 public assist requests, 3 light malfunction reports, 1 medical emergency assist and 6 unsecured door reports between 11/13/09 and 11/16/09. 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
