Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department between Wednesday, 03/02/11 and Thursday, 03/03/11. ***** ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE ***** We are 8 days out and counting before the beginning of Spring Break 2011. Beginning today we are going to address most of the safety concerns that are brought up during the school year and are magnified during this time of the year. Vehicle Safety Only practice and experience can make one a good driver. Most highway crashes are due to the driver’s inexperience or temperment. To become a good driver, one must follow several rules. Give driving your full attention. Dangerous distractions like texting, talking on your cell phone, or eating should be avoided. Learn to drive in different situations like night driving, highway driving or driving in bad weather. We call this situational driving. Obey the traffic laws and the rules of the road. Relax and enjoy your trip. Bicycle Safety The weather is turning warmer and more and more students / staff / faculty are deciding to ride their bicycles around campus. As the gas prices continue to rise, this trend will increase. With more cyclists on the road, I would like to take the time to remind everyone of some basic rules. Bicyclists are required to follow the same laws as if they were operating a motor vehicle. These laws are enforceable and can result in traffic citations being issued. You can help avoid these citations and keep everyone safe by doing the following: • stopping at red lights and stop signs, • yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks • paying attention to lane markers, • riding near the curb, traveling in the same direction as traffic, and • having a light on the front and a red reflector or red light on the back of your bike while riding at night. • most areas of Austin ,as well as UT, bicycles are banned from riding on the sidewalks. BRAZOS PARKING GARAGE, 200 East Martin Luther King Blvd. Suspicious Activity: A UT staff member reported 5 unknown subjects were on the 6th level of the parking garage throwing eggs at individuals playing basketball. During the investigation, the officers searched the area and discovered an empty egg carton. The unknown subjects were described as: black males, last seen wearing black t-shirts. The subjects were last seen entering Jester East Dormitory. Occurred on: 3-02-11, at 9:28 PM. KINSOLVING DORMITORY, 2605 Whitis Ave Terroristic Threat: A UT Staff member reported a former staff member made several threats of violence after being terminated. Occurred on: 3-02-11, at 1:43 PM. NORTH OFFICE ANNEX, 101 East 27th Street Suspicious Activity: UT Police Officers responded to a first floor classroom on several complaints of loud noise. The officers discovered a UT student group holding a “Meet and Greet.” The officer observed several open bottles and cans of beer in front of several of those attending the meeting. The president of the UT student organization stated that he was “Unaware” of the alcohol rules on campus… and made sure the officers understood he personally did not supply the alcohol. This entire UT organization was referred to the Dean of Students. Occurred on: 3-02-11, at 8:21 PM. PARKING LOT 112, 1500 Manor Road Burglary of Motor Vehicle: A UT student discovered the rear passenger window of her Ford Escape broken. During an inventory of her vehicle, she discovered her Tom Tom GPS system and IPod adapter had been taken from her vehicle. Estimated damage: $150.00. Loss value: $120.00. Discovered on: 3-02-11, at 1:14 PM. TRINITY PARKING GARAGE, 1815 Trinity Ave Burglary of Motor Vehicle (Criminal Episode): A UT Police Officer discovered the windows of a grey Chevy Silverado, black Chevy Tahoe, blue Hyundai, white Dodge Ram and a yellow Jeep had been broken out. Upon closer inspection the officer noted the glove boxes of these vehicles had been opened and the contents were pulled out. The officers were unable to determine if any property was missing from the vehicles and attempted to contact the owners with negative results. Loss value: Unknown at this time. Occurred on: 3-03-11, between 3:45 AM and 4:45 AM. UNION BUILDING, #4 West Mall Assault by Contact: A UT student observed a non-UT subject grab and begin shaking a UT student. The reporting person stated the non-UT subject had left the area. During the investigation, the officers learned the victim had gone to the UNB with some friends after her relationship with her boyfriend ended. The ex-boyfriend located his now ex-girlfriend, confronted and grabbed her. Occurred on: 3-03-11, at 12:56 AM. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 19 Alarm Calls, 2 Suspicious Persons Reports, 2 EMS call, and 2 Unsecured Door Reports between 03/02/11 and 03/0311. To view a map of the campus visit: http://www.utexas.edu/parking/maps/index.html Are you a Fan of the University of Texas Police Department? Come join us on Face Book at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/utaustinpolice 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. 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. 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. 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/ 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
