Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Monday, 01/25/10 and Tuesday, 01/26/10. *****Program Spotlight**** 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. ****Crime Prevention Tip of the Day**** Based on the past week's worth of crime entries, it looks like bicycle theft will continue to be a concern in 2010. While many of you have read the following tip numerous times, bear with me – you might just see a new tip. Let's start with the lock system you should use – all together now…UTPD's minimum recommendation for bicycle security is the use of a quality u-lock that utilizes a flat key. UTPD's maximum recommendation is to use a quality u-lock and an independently locking cable lock. The use of two different types of locks forces a thief to carry two different types of tools and spend twice as much time defeating each lock. Make sure you secure your bicycle to a sound structure. Street sign posts, fences, handrails and trees are not sound structures for bicycle security and can also be a violation of Parking and Transportation Regulations. UT Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) provide high quality bicycle racks around campus. You can also check with PTS about renting a bicycle locker which have shown to be resistant to bicycle thefts. While checking out the services offered by PTS, make sure you register your bicycle. By registering your bicycle with PTS, you will create a record that contains your bicycle's make, model, color and serial number. Law enforcement needs such information in their quest to recover your stolen bicycle. Bicycle registration is free and required for any bicycle operated or parked on campus. You can register your bicycle on-line at http://www.utexas.edu/parking/transportation/biking/registration.html The owner of the stolen bicycle in one of today's entries registered his stolen bicycle at a website dedicated to the recovery of stolen bikes. The website can be found at http://www.stolenbicycleregistry.com/ This site allows people to enter information about their stolen bicycles. You can also check a list of stolen bicycles by location or check a serial number to determine if a bicycle you are buying is registered as stolen. As always, be mindful of your surroundings as you navigate the campus. If you see something that seems suspicious or illegal, then it probably is. Don't hesitate; call the police department as soon as possible. If your report leads to the apprehension of a thief, UTPD will buy you the pizza of your choice as part of our Hungry for Justice program. If you are hungry for justice, program the UT Police Department's telephone number into your cell phone and be mindful of what is happening around you. Our number is 512-471-4441; we are open 24/7, 365 days a year. COMAL STREET CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 2205 Comal Burglary: An unknown subject pried the window screen from a 1st floor exterior window. The subject opened the window and made entry into the building. After walking around the building and rummaging through a desk drawer, the subject stole an empty money bag and made his departure. A possible suspect was described as a White male wearing a blue sweatshirt with two letters on the front of the shirt, blue jeans, hiking boots, a baseball cap and carrying a flashlight. Loss value: $10.00. Repair cost: $40.00. Occurred between 01/22/10 at 6:00 PM and 01/25/10 at 7:00 AM. JESTER CENTER ACADEMIC, 201 East 21st Street Theft: An orange colored drawstring backpack containing pink ear-buds and a leather Fossil wallet containing a Texas Driver's License and three credit cards was stolen when it was left inside a 1st floor restaurant. Loss value: $30.00. Occurred between 01/24/10 at 8:30 PM and 01/25/10 at 12 noon. PERRY CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Theft: A red Cannondale Super V4000 DH bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to a bicycle rack located on the north side of the library. The bicycle had several high-end after-market features making it all the more valuable. Loss value: $3,000.00. Occurred on 01/25/10 between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. SAN ANTONIO GARAGE, 2420 San Antonio Assist Outside Agency: Four non-UT subjects were reported as loitering by the southeast stairwell of the parking garage. The four subjects were identified. One of the four subjects was found to have an outstanding outside agency arrest warrant for speeding. Occurred on 01/25/10 at 6:08 PM. SIMKINS HALL DORMITORY, 2501 San Jacinto Theft: A black and silver colored Giant Cypress hybrid bicycle was stolen while it was “secured†with a cable lock to the bicycle racks located on the east side of the dormitory. Loss value: $410.00. Occurred between 01/22/10 at 12 noon and 01/25/10 at 2:30 PM. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 25* alarm calls, 3 fire alarm activations, 1 found property report, 1 light malfunction report, 1 medical emergency assist and 8 unsecured door reports between 01/25/10 and 01/26/10. *This is an unacceptable number of alarms for a one-day time period. Each of us share a responsibility for the safety and security of our surroundings. That responsibility includes limiting false alarms so that officers can dedicate their time to responding to crimes, calls for assistance and actual alarms that result from criminal activity. I personally beseech each of you to do what you can do to reduce false alarms. If you would like recommendations on reducing false alarms in your area, please feel free to call me, Officer Pieper at 512-232-9638. 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
