Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department between Thursday, 05/09/13 and Friday, 05/10/13. "If You See Something, Say Something" In light of the events in Boston, MA the University of Texas Police Department would like to remind all of you to be vigilant in your day to day activities. It is important to remember if you see something suspicious or out of place to report it, IMMEDIATELY. It's better that police and emergency services investigate suspicious activity and find no criminal activity, than to not know about it and something terrible happen. So, if you see something out of the ordinary or suspicious contact your local police department. ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE Dear Friends, As we prepare for Commencement, I want to let you know about an important change related to security this year. Because of heightened security concerns after recent national events, additional safety procedures will be in place for upcoming Commencement ceremonies at The University of Texas at Austin. I hope you understand that the safety of our visitors and community is our highest concern and we appreciate your help with this. Backpacks, tote bags or any bags larger than 12 inches in any dimension will not be allowed into any of the Commencement venues. This applies to college, school and departmental ceremonies as well as the university-wide Commencement ceremony at the Tower. The current policy prohibiting coolers, picnic baskets, lawn chairs and large strollers also remains in effect. In addition, all other bags, including purses, camera cases and diaper bags will be searched by security officers before visitors are permitted to enter the South, Main, East and West Malls for the University-wide ceremony. These smaller bags are also subject to search at the college, school and departmental ceremonies. We strongly urge all attendees not to bring bags to any of the ceremonies unless they are absolutely necessary. Those visitors bringing smaller bags should expect delays in order to enter the venue and those with the prohibited larger bags will be turned away. Please plan accordingly and do not bring any packages that cannot be opened or inspected. These procedures should ensure that our Commencement ceremonies run smoothly and are memorable milestones for all of our graduates and their families. Thanks for your cooperation. Hook 'em, Bill Powers President JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER, 4801 LaCrosse Criminal Mischief: A UT staff member discovered the door jamb on a new kiosk had been damaged. The officer was unable to determine if entry had been gained into the building. Estimated damage: $150.00. Discovered on: 5-09-13, at 8:02 AM. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Theft: A silver Apple laptop computer was stolen after being left unsecured and unattended. During the investigation, the officer learned the student had left his computer on top of a cubical while he went to the restroom. His friend was sitting next to the computer and did not see anyone. Loss value: $2,500.00. Occurred on: 5-09-13 between 9:00 PM and 9:27 PM. PHARMACY BUILDING, 2409 University Ave Theft: A black Apple iPhone was reported stolen. During the investigation, the officer learned the cellular phone was sitting on a table next to the victim while he was working on his laptop computer prior to taking a final exam. Loss value: $400.00. Occurred on: 5-08-13 between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. UNION BUILDING, 2308 Whitis Ave Theft / Fraud: A UT staff member discovered she had left her black Chaps purse, Apple iPhone, personal identification, and several credit cards unattended on a table. The officer learned the staff member had lunch on the East Patio and forgot to take her property. During the investigation, the officer learned several unauthorized charges had been made at two local businesses. Estimated loss: Unknown at this time. Occurred on: 5-07-13 between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The University of Texas Police Department responded to 27 Alarm Reports,1 Suspicious Activity Report, 1 Suspicious Person Report, 1 Burned Out Light Report, and 1 Unsecured Door Report between 5/09/13 and 5/10/13. 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\
