Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department between Thursday, 07/12/12 and Monday, 07/16/12. ***Administrative Notes: SCAM: A few of The University of Texas at Austin's parents and grandparents have received calls from individuals claiming that the parent/grandparent's student has been injured, kidnapped, or needs medical attention. This is a scam to extort money. UTPD is asking students to make their family members aware of this scam and share the following tips for dealing with such a call: - -Remain calm and try to locate your family member. Remember, the vast majority of these calls are a hoax. Whether done as a prank or an attempt to extort money, these individuals are trying to exploit your fears. If you have caller ID, write down the number. - -Do not tell the caller where you live or agree to any money transfer. Never provide information about you or your family (including the name of the individual they say has been kidnapped, injured, etc.). - -Ask to speak to your family member to confirm his/her identity. This foils the majority of these calls as the virtual kidnapper only has the upper hand as long as you believe that he/she really has your loved one. Don't be afraid to challenge them, "What is my child's name?" - -If the caller cannot or will not answer, hang up (many will hang up at the first sign of stubbornness). If you or your family have been a victim of this scam, please contact local authorities and UTPD at 512-471-4441. UNION BUILDING, 2308 Whitis Avenue Graffiti: A UT Staff Member reported graffiti on the mirrors inside the men’s restroom on the Underground level. The drawings were made using some type of etching device. Repair Value: $250.00. Occurred on: 07-16-12, between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM. JESTER DORMITORY, 201 East 21st Street Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A UT Staff Member reported a welfare concern. Upon arrival, a UT Police Officer found a UT Student lying on the floor, near a trashcan, in the lobby area. The officer woke the subject. There was an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the student’s breath. He stated he had consumed several alcoholic beers earlier at an unidentified house party. The student was under the legal drinking age of 21. He was aware of his location and did not present a danger to himself or others. The student was issued a citation for Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. He was able to walk safely to his dorm room. Occurred on 07-17-12, at 2:35 AM. JESTER DORMITORY, 201 East 21st Street Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: While dealing with the above subject, a UT Staff Member flagged down the UT Police Officer and asked them to check on another student. The UT Student was swaying as he walked. He had an odor of alcohol on his breath and his speech was slurred. He also had the remnants of his digested dinner on his face. He previously tried to enter Jester and was asked for his UTID. At that time, he responded with profane name calling. The student was under the legal drinking age of 21. He was aware of his location and did not present a danger to himself or others. The student was issued a citation for Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. He left the area without incident. Occurred on 07-17-12, at 3:08 AM. 1701 RED RIVER STREET Driving While Intoxicated: A UT Police Officer was dispatched to 1701 Red River regarding a report of a suspicious vehicle. The reporting person stated that the vehicle was parked on the service drive entrance, east side of Frank Erwin Center, for nearly an hour in the same spot with the front headlights on. The officer approached the vehicle and found it was involved in a collision. The front right side was severely damaged and the engine was still running. The officer looked inside the vehicle and found a Non-UT subject on the driver's side, leaned over on her right side, with the vehicle still in drive. The officer woke her up by shouting several times, identifying herself as a police officer, and asking if she needed medical attention. The subject was conscious but unable to communicate. The officer asked EMS to come to the location. There was a strong smell of alcohol emanating from her person. She also had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and slurred speech. She stated her location was somewhere on 13th street and could not recall where she was coming from. The subject could not recall what happened regarding the damage to her vehicle. She admitted to drinking a few alcoholic beverages, specifically shots, at an unknown location. The subject consented to performing the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. It was determined the subject was intoxicated to the point that she could not safely operate a motor vehicle. She was taken into custody for Driving While Intoxicated and transported to Central Booking. Occurred on 07-17-12, at 3:00 AM. The University of Texas Police Department responded to 22 Alarm Calls, 4 Suspicious Activity Reports, 1 Burned Out Light Report, and 1 Lost and Found Property Report between 07/16/12 and 07/17/12. To view a map of the campus visit: Are you a Fan of the University of Texas Police Department? Come join us on Facebook 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. SURE Walk is a student-run volunteer group that provides walks to and from campus to UT students, faculty, and staff, with the help of student volunteers. Volunteers are gathered from trusted organizations from around campus, such as Orange Jackets and APO, and include both males and females. An agency of Student Government, SURE Walk is in service Monday through Thursday from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. during the fall and spring semesters. To order a walk, call (512) 232-9255 or email orderasurewalk@gmail.com, and two volunteers, one male and one female, will meet you at your current location and walk you to your destination, whether it be on campus or in the greater campus neighborhoods. If you have any questions, concerns, or if your organization is interested in volunteering, please e-mail: texassurewalk@gmail.com. Lost and Found Property Did you lose something on campus? Please report your missing property to UTPD Lost and Found at http://www.utexas.edu/police/lostandfound. Or call 512-232-9619 and describe your item to us. If we have your item, we’ll contact you as quickly as possible to arrange its return to you. UTPD handles over 5000 lost and found items each year from campus departments, although we cannot accept clothing, food or drink containers, toiletries, broken or soiled property. Campus departments are encouraged to call 471-4441 to have UTPD pick up lost and found items that are unclaimed after one week. 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. 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 RAD Program For Women, Now Available (Classes are FREE) 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/ 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: LB – Officer Halstead is on vacation and will return August 6th, 2012. To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php\
