Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department between Tuesday, 08/07/12 and Wednesday, 08/08/12. UFCU DISCH-FALK FIELD, 1300 Martin Luther King Blvd. Graffiti: A UT Police Officer discovered an unknown subject had spray painted words and numbers in three separate areas along the outfield fence. Estimated repair: $150.00. Discovered on: 8-08-12, at 1:08 AM. Crime Prevention Tip of the Day: For the parents of this year's incoming freshman class, the countdown for the fall 2012 semester has started. There are 16 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. To Do List 8-08-12 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 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 8-07-12 The University of Texas has developed its own emergency text messaging service. 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 8-06-12 Bicycle thefts are one of the highest reported crimes at UT as well as within the City of Austin. It 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 only 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; a self-locking cable lock. The U-shaped lock will secure the bike to the bike rack. The self-locking cable lock secures the rear tire to the bike frame. 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. 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 hair straighter also needs 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. The on-line property registration program 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 The University of Texas Police Department responded to 14 Alarm Calls, 1 Suspicious Person Report, 1 Suspicious Activity Report, 2 Burned Out Light Reports, and 2 Unsecured Door Reports between 08/06/12 and 08/07/12. 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: DWH To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php\
