Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by The University Police Department Patrol Officers between Monday, 06/30/14 and Tuesday, 07/01/14. BELO CENTER OF NEW MEDIA, 300 West Dean Keeton Theft: A Dell XPS laptop computer was stolen while it was “secured” with a cable lock to a desk located inside a 3rd floor office. The cable lock was affixed to the computer through a rear port on the computer. The cable was still attached to the desk and did not appear to be damaged. Loss value: $970.00. Occurred between 06/27/14 at 3:00 PM and 06/30/14 at 8:45 AM. Crime Prevention Tip: If you have been a reader of the Campus Watch for any length of time, you have probably read that the UT Police Department does not recommend using a cable lock as your sole source of security for your bicycle. If you wouldn’t trust your bicycle security to a cable lock then you certainly should not trust the security of your laptop computer to a cable lock. The laptop computer cable lock has several security weaknesses. First, one of the cable ends is frequently looped around a table leg. A thief could simply lift the table up, unloop the cable and steal the lock and computer. Another concern is the thickness of the cable. Most laptop cable locks are very thin and can easily be cut by wire cutters. Another concern is that the end of the cable that attaches to the computer plugs into a computer port by a small lip which can simply be pulled from the laptop (believed to be what happened in this case). Finally, a laptop cable lock provides the owner with a false sense of security which causes them to take risks with their laptop security. Keep your laptop with you. Refrain form leaving it in your office overnight. If you must keep it in the office, lock it up in a lockable desk or cabinet. PETER T. FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER, 2304 Whitis Graffiti: Yellow spray paint was used to write words and draw images on several walls located inside the men’s restrooms located on the 2nd, 3rd and fourth floors. Removal cost: $100.00. Occurred between 06/27/14 at 5:00 PM and 06/30/14 at 8:00 AM. TRINITY PARKING GARAGE, 1815 Trinity Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported as sleeping on the north side of the top level of the garage. The subject was awakened and issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 07/01/14 at 4:50 AM. The University of Texas Police Department responded to 24 Alarm Reports, 3 Suspicious Activity Reports, 3 Traffic Violations, 2 Welfare Concern Reports, 1 Found Property Report, and 10 Public Assist Reports between 06/30/14 and 07/01/14. Prepared by: Ofc. WR π/ To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php/
