Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Friday, 01/22/10 and Monday, 01/25/10. *****Program Spotlight**** 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. Many of you have already programmed the UT Police Department telephone number into your cell phone and that is great. This may be another number you want to store in your cell phone contacts list. ****Crime Prevention Tip of the Day**** Laptop theft is a huge concern for students, faculty and staff members. There are several things you can do to help protect your laptop. First and foremost, never, ever, ever leave your laptop unattended; not even for a few seconds. A thief can pick-up your laptop and casually walk away in just a few seconds. The majority of thefts on campus happen when property is left unattended. You should also mark your laptop with your state issued driver's license number or identification card number (example: TX 01234567). Do not use your name to mark your property, as no matter how special you are, there is probably someone else in the world that shares your name. To mark your laptop or other property, stop by the UT Police Department to check out an electric engraver. If you live in an on-campus dormitory, check an engraver out from the dormitory front desk. If your lost or stolen property is found by any police officer, the driver's license number can be run to identify you as the owner of the property. Another thing you may want to consider is the use of tracking software like LowJack for Laptops. Such programs will allow the parent company to track the location of your laptop on-line if your laptop is stolen. The Campus Computer Store frequently carries such a product; or consider inviting myself or Officer Halstead out to your student group for a Basic Crime Prevention Program and we will bring a LowJack for Laptop program as a door prize. To schedule a program contact me, Officer William Pieper, at 512-232-9638. BRACKENRIDGE APARTMENTS, 3400 Lake Austin Blvd Assault with Injuries (Family Violence): A UT student began to argue with her non-UT affiliated husband about the husband's desire to return to their home state of Colorado. The argument started as the family began to drive to a restaurant. During the drive, the student grabbed her husband's arm several times while the husband drove the car. The grabbing caused scratching and pain to the husband's arm. The husband turned the car around to drive back to their apartment where the argument continued until a child resident of the apartment called for police assistance. Occurred on 01/23/10 at approximately 8:15 PM. BRAZOS GARAGE, 200 East MLK Possession of Marijuana / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: While investigating a panic alarm in the parking garage, a UT Police Officer observed two UT students loitering in the garage. When the students saw the marked patrol car, they began to walk away. One of the two students dropped a plastic bag containing a small amount of marijuana. When the students were asked how they were smoking the marijuana, the other student presented a small glass pipe containing burned marijuana residue. Occurred on 01/22/10 at 12:21 PM. GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, 100 West 21st Street Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor / Possession of Alcohol by a Minor: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was reported as a welfare concern after being seen sleeping in a 2nd floor men's restroom. The student had awakened and was leaving the building upon the arrival of the police officer. The officer stopped the student and quickly determined the student had previously consumed alcoholic beverages. The student was also found to be in possession of a plastic bottle containing tequila. Occurred on 01/23/10 at 2:53 AM. JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported as soliciting people for money claiming he needed the money to repair his car. The subject was given a criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 01/23/10 at 11:13 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: In this case, the subject was asking for money claiming he had car problems and needed a jump start. When the officer inquired about the vehicle, it was determined there were no vehicle defects requiring service or repair. This is a common scam reported to the police department. Fortunately, any form of solicitation without prior approval through the Dean of Student's Office is prohibited. If someone asks you for any money, service or property while on the UT campus, contact the UT Police Department at 512-471-4441 and let us determine if the solicitation is authorized and legitimate. JESTER CENTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: While investigating a welfare concern report, a UT student, who was under the age of 21, was found inside a ground floor dormitory room. The student was found to have consumed alcoholic beverages. Occurred on 01/24/10 at 3:37 AM. LITTLEFIELD HOME, 302 West 24th Street Criminal Trespass Warning (2 counts): Two non-UT subjects were reported as camping on the porch located on the west side of the building. Both subjects were identified and issued a written criminal trespass warning citation. Occurred on 01/22/10 at 9:23 PM. LIVING LEARNING HALL, 2610-A Whitis Hall Possession of Alcohol by a Minor / Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor (3 counts): Two UT students and a non-UT subject, who were all under the age of 21, were reported by a Housing and Food staff member as being in possession of several beers in a 2nd floor room. All three of the subjects were found to have consumed alcoholic beverages. One of the two students admitted to having possession of the 30 un-opened cans of beer. Occurred on 01/23/10 at 3:30 AM. SAN ANTONIO GARAGE, 2420 San Antonio Street Criminal Mischief: An unknown individual(s) pulled the exit control arm from its track at the northwest vehicle exit of the garage. Repair cost: $200.00. Discovered on 01/23/10 at 5:19 AM. UFCU DISCH-FALK FIELD, 1300 East MLK Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported as sleeping on the southwest side of the stadium. Upon awaking, the subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 01/25/10 at 5:43 AM. 2200 Guadalupe Public Intoxication: A non-UT subject was observed having to use a fence to maintain her balance while staggering. The subject stated she had been drinking to drown her sorrows over a recent break-up. It was not determined if said sorrows were in fact drowned, but it was obvious the subject was under the influence of alcohol to the point she was deemed to be a danger to herself. Occurred on 01/22/10 at 10:24 PM. 2400 Guadalupe Public Intoxication: A non-UT subject was reported as being passed out in the roadway. The reporting person “helped†the subject to the sidewalk prior to the arrival of the police as the subject was nearly struck by several cars while he was in the roadway. When the subject came to, he continually referred to the police officers as – well, another term for cats to be polite. 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 01/22/10 at 10:52 PM. 2500 San Jacinto Driving While Intoxicated / Open Container in a Motor Vehicle: A non-UT subject was stopped for running a red light while driving a black 2000 Dodge pick-up truck. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to have been driving while intoxicated. Three open cans of beer and an open bottle of liqueur were found inside the vehicle. 300 West 22nd Street Driving While Intoxicated: A non-UT subject was stopped for driving the wrong way on a one-way roadway. The subject was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point he was deemed to have been driving while intoxicated. Occurred on 01/24/10 at 3:01 AM. 100 East 26th Street Criminal Trespass / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: Two UT students flagged down a UT Police Officer to report seeing a subject attempting to steal a bicycle from a bicycle rack. The officer arrived at the bicycle rack in question and observed the subject pulling a bicycle from the bicycle racks. The subject was a known bicycle thief. The owner of the bicycle could not be determined. The subject was found to have previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning and was taken into custody. The subject was also found to be in possession of a glass tube containing burned cocaine residue on one end of the pipe. Occurred on 01/23/10 at 2:00 AM. Crime Prevention Tips: It is never too early in the year to stress the effectiveness of using a quality u-lock to protect your bicycle, or even better using a quality u-lock and a cable lock. Never use a cable lock as your sole source of bicycle security. Using both types of locks a thief to carry a cutting tool and a prying tool to defeat both types of locks. It also forces the thief to spend more time defeating both locks which, in-turn gives pedestrians and law enforcement more opportunities to detect the criminal act. Finally, did anyone pick-up on the line in this entry “The owner of the bicycle could not be determined� If the police department could have contacted the owner of the bicycle, the suspect could have been charged with theft as well. Sadly, the bicycle was not registered with UT Parking and Transportation. Invest a few minutes to register your bicycle with UT PTS. It is free and can be done on-line at http://www.utexas.edu/parking/transportation/biking/registration.html CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 31 alarm calls, 1 fire alarm activation, 2 “Police Help†callbox activations, 6 public assist requests, 3 welfare concern reports, 2 suspicious activity reports, 1 suspicious odor report, 1 lost property report and 10 unsecured door reports between 01/22/10 and 01/25/10. 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 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
