Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department between Wednesday, 08/11/10 and Thursday, 08-12-10. ****New Service Brought to You by UTPD**** UTPD is happy to announce online property registration. Items with a serial number such as laptops, MP3 players, cell phones, electronics, and bikes are eligible. Registering your property is very helpful in theft investigations and in returning lost property to its rightful owner. Without identifying information, recovering stolen property is virtually impossible. Logon to https://www.utexas.edu/police/property/ to register your property today. *****ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE ****** Are you a Fan of the University of Texas Police Department? Come join us on Face Book at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/utaustinpolice ASHBEL SMITH HALL, 201 West 7th Street Criminal Trespass Warning / Assist Outside Agency: A UT staff member reported a non-UT subject was smoking a marijuana cigarette next to the fountain. The officers located the subject, but did not detect any odor of marijuana on his person. The officers however, discovered the subject had three outstanding Outside Agency arrest warrants. The subject was taken into custody for the outstanding Outside Agency arrest warrants and was transported to Central Booking. In addition to the law enforcement action taken, the subject was issued a written Criminal Trespass Warning. Occurred on: 8-11-10. FRANK ERWIN CENTER, 1701 Red River Theft from Person: A non-UT subject reported discovering her HTC Evo cellular telephone had been stolen from her purse. During the investigation, the officers learned an unknown subject had approached the victim and asked for a piece of gum. After receiving the gum the subject brushed up next to the victim. Loss value: $200.00. Occurred on: 8-11-10, at 11:10 AM. Crime Prevention Tip: Pick-Pocketing in not a new crime, but it is one that we are seeing more when there are large gatherings. There are a couple of things we can all do: Ladies, carry only what you need inside your downsized purse. Wallet, one credit card and very little cash. Make sure your purse is closed at all times and carry it close to your body. Gentlemen, again carry only what you need inside your wallet. And consider using this old trick, place a thick rubber band around your wallet. The rubber band will prevent your wallet from being lifted out of your back pocket with daft and eaze. Do not carry any personal items inside a cargo pocket. LBJ LIBRARY, 2305 Robert Dedman Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT was discovered sleeping inside an established campsite on the northside of the library. The subject attempted to leave the area quickly after being discovered. The subject was issued a written Criminal Trespass Warning and was escorted from the area. Occurred on: 8-12-10, at 2:36 AM. Crime Prevention Tip of the Day: For the parents of this year's incoming freshman class, the countdown for the fall 2010 semester has started. There are 15 days left before the first day of Moove-In. There are several things that you can start doing to get your student ready. Each day we will be increasing your To Do List as the fall semester gets closer. Today’s To Do List (08-12-10) I know vehicle safety and security are a huge concern for parents who have a child attending school in far off location. For that reason, take the time now to prepare your child’s car for the rigors of college life. First and foremost should be the operational status of the car. Make sure the car is up-to-date on its service records. Have the car’s oil changed, its fluids checked, the belts and hoses checked – is the car due for a tune-up? What about the tires and the wiper blades? Are they in need of replacing? Now is a great time to start considering these issues. Preventative maintenance for a car can go a long way in keeping your child form being broken down on the side of the road. Discuss with your child the importance of having the oil changed on time and the tires inspected etc, etc. Before you send your child off to college, take the time to look up various automobile towing services phone numbers, roadside assistance numbers and automobile repair shops in the Austin area. Jot those numbers down and place them in the glove compartment box of your child’s car. While stocking your child’s car, consider placing the following items in the trunk of their car: - Fire extinguisher - First aid kit - Blanket - Flashlight - Reflective traffic hazard triangle - Tire iron - Vehicle jack - A gallon bottle of water - A tire sealant / inflator (keep in mind this is a temporary fix – if your child’s car has a flat, then this is used to get the vehicle to a place for tire repair / replacement) Now let us take some time to address vehicle security. It is a given to say the vehicle’s doors should remain closed and locked at all times – even when the car is being driven. The windows should be rolled up when the vehicle is parked. Never, ever leave the keys in or around the vehicle. A spare key is a good thing to send to college, but tell your child to keep it in their wallet or secured inside their dormitory room / apartment. When your child parks their car, make sure they take everything out of the vehicle. In today’s edition f the Campus Watch, there were two auto burglaries that took less than a couple of minutes to commit. A thief will break out the window just to reach in and grab whatever is in arm’s reach. Never leave anything inside the car. To protect the stereo system, place a beach towel across the dash board (like you are protecting the dash form the sun) and let it drape down over the stereo system. Use a steering wheel immobilizer to help protect against auto theft. This type of device prevents the steering wheel form being turned in the event the car is stolen. Also consider the installation of a kill switch. This device prevents the car from running when it is turned on. If a kill switch is turned on when the car is parked, a thief cannot start or run the car to steal it. To Do List (08-09-2010) The University of Texas has developed its own emergency text messaging service. This program will replace the previous program offered through a private company. Make sure your son or daughter logs onto the following website to register their cellular telephone number to subscribe to this free service: http://www.utexas.edu/cellphonealert You will need to have a UT EID and password to logon to this website. While you are speaking with your son or daughter about their cell phone, make sure you point out the importance of them keeping their cell phone battery charged. They should carry their cell phone with them everywhere they go as they can call 9-1-1 free of charge from any cell phone. It will also be a good idea for them to program the UT Police Department Dispatch number into their cell phone. Our police dispatch number is 512-471-4441. Programming our number into their cell phone is important because dialing 9-1-1 in certain areas around campus may put the call through to the city police department which will slow the police department’s response time by a minute or so. Please remember that any report of suspicious or criminal activity that leads to UTPD apprehending a thief will result in the police department delivering a free pizza to the reporting person, so make sure your son or daughter has their cell phone with them, the police department number is programmed into the cell phone and they are observant on campus. Their phone call could result in a free meal. To Do List (8-06-2010) Yesterday's edition of the Campus Watch showed several alcohol related crimes. Every fall semester we see an increase in alcohol related crimes. Many of these cases involve the newest members of the UT family. Parents, take a moment before your child comes to campus to have a frank open discussion about alcohol related issues. I found a good article pertaining to this topic on the internet at: (http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/bolingbrook/opinions/x518448175/Editorial-Parents-need-to-talk-to-college-bound-kids-about-alcohol). Sadly, the legal ramifications of alcohol offenses are the least of one’s worries when it comes to alcoholism, binge drinking and driving while intoxicated. The risk to one’s own safety and the safety of society at large are far more important. To that end, learn the subject matter and have that discussion with your kids. To Do List (8-5-2010) Of the many alcohol issues that a student faces, while in college, the most troubling and under reported is Sexual Assault. For all parents, this is a huge concern. Sit down and talk with your student. Talk about each of your concerns surrounding this issue. During this discussion, help them develop a “Game Plan” for their personal safety. The Game Plan Talking Points Your student’s expectations at the party Your student’s expectations of those they go to the party with The different types of drugs used to facilitate a Sexual Assault What to do if you begin to feel sleepy or pass out For more information on these Talking Points, contact the UT Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit, at 512-232-9634 or 512-232-9638. To Do List (8-04-10) Talking Points – Alcohol & Other Drugs The Health Promotion Resource Center in the University Health Services helps UT students get and stay healthy with a variety of resources on nutrition, stress management, alcohol and other drugs, and other college health issues. Most services are free to UT students. There is a lending library on various college health issues as well as workshops, classes, and online educational programs. Contrary to popular myths, students really listen and value their parents’ opinion on important issues concerning their safety and security. • Talking with your students about your expectations related to alcohol and drugs and behaviors related to how they treat others and your values is helpful toward making your expectations clear. • It is also important to provide a clear expectation about how you will be available and support them if any problems arise. • As a resource to parents, we welcome you to visit or consult with the various staff in departments such as University Health Services, Dean of Students Office, Counseling & Mental Health Center, and UT Learning Center, if there are questions about services, concerns about a student, or other issues. As reminder, you may recall that every incoming student is required to complete AlcoholEdu for College. There also is a new resource with parents in mind. • AlcoholEdu for Parents, an online program for parents or guardians of students who are participating in AlcoholEdu for College. • It is designed to support your conversations about alcohol that will help shape the decisions your college students make surrounding alcohol use. • AlcoholEdu for Parents offers parents non-opinionated information, key facts, and important resources that will help you have productive conversations that can impact your student's safety, decision-making, and personal development in college. To Do List (08-03-10) Bicycle thefts are one of the highest reported crimes at UT as well as within the City of Austin. If is not the quality of the bicycle that is attracting the thief, it is the quality of the lock being used to secure the bike to the bike rack. Many of the reported stolen bikes, the former owner was using a self-locking cable lock. Consider looking into a two-lock locking system when securing your bicycle on campus. This locking system will incorporate a U-shaped lock that uses a flat key. The second lock used will be a self-locking cable lock. You are now requiring the thief to use two separate tools in order to steal your property. Now take a few minutes and go online and register your bicycle with UT Parking and Transportation: www.utexas.edu/parking/transportation/biking/bicycle_register.php The serial number is located on the sprocket of many of the bicycles. However you will see several sets of numbers, look for a number that begins with a letter followed by a long string of numbers. To Do List (8-02-10) Has your student marked all of their property with a State issued driver's license or ID number? Such items like their laptop computer, IPod, cellular telephone, gaming system, and ladies, your Chi need this State issued DL or ID number engraved on two surfaces that are plainly visible. Remember, property thefts are the number 1 crime at UT. Engravers can be checked out from most police departments throughout the State of Texas. If you wait until Moove-In you can check out an engraver from the UT Police Department or from an on-campus dormitory. This year we launched a new propgram that allows you to register your property on-line. Registering your property is very helpful in theft investigations and in returning lost property to its rightful owner. Without identifying information, recovering stolen property is virtually impossible. Logon to https://www.utexas.edu/police/property/ to register your property CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 4 Alarm Calls, 1 Fire Alarm, 2 Suspicious Activity Reports, 1 Motor Vehicle Collision Report and 1 Unsecured Door Report between 08/11/10 and 08/12/10. To view a map of the campus visit: http://www.utexas.edu/parking/maps/index.html 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 DWH To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
