Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by The University Police Department Patrol Officers between Thursday, 08/21/14 and Friday 08/22/14. ***WORDS OF ADVICE FROM OUR AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTNERS*** The Austin Police Department West District Representative asked us to pass along some useful information regarding the pending rush of students moving into off campus housing around the 40 Acres. Please take time to read their words of wisdom below: During the move in time in August, the Austin Police Dept. is often over-run with calls regarding parking violations in the West Campus area. We would like to remind you to be cognizant of all “No parking/tow away zones.” Also we ask that you not block streets, fire hydrants, alleys, drive ways, etc. We will have extra patrol out monitoring and enforcing the above listed violations as well as looking for other violations. Also, we ask that you be aware of your surroundings and who may be watching you. Be sure to keep your vehicles locked when unattended, shut and lock your residence door, and do not prop open exterior doors on apartment complexes. Code enforcement will also be out monitoring/enforcing potential code violations. Vehicle Safety o Most vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity. o Most of the items stolen are left within plain view. o Many victims do not lock their doors or roll up their windows. o Most commonly stolen items include wallets, purses, briefcases, backpacks, cell phones and accessories, portable electronics, and cd’s. o If you wallet/purse are stolen you could become a victim of fraud. o If you walk up on your vehicle while a crime is in progress this incident has the potential to become violent. o Your vehicle can be burglarized in less time than it takes to read this. Personal Safety o Be aware of your surroundings and walk in well-lit areas. o Do not walk alone at night. Avoid areas that are less populated. o Be alert and observant so you can give a good description to police. o Watch your drink and your friends drink. Date rape drugs do happen. o A majority of sexual assaults are committed by somebody you know. In the vast majority of these cases, alcohol is the most commonly used “weapon”. Always have a plan and stay in pairs. What if I’m afraid to call the Police? • Callers can remain anonymous. • You may request the responding officer not contact you. • If you don’t call who will. **Targeted Phishing Attack Using UT Library: If you receive an email, with the subject matter as: “*Subject: **UTexas Library System Problem*”, please DO NOT respond. The email, when it first arrives, looks very legit and informs the user that their off-campus access to the UT Libraries has been compromised. The link forwards to a website that offers a UT EID login. DO NOT TAKE THE BAIT!! FRANK ERWIN CENTER, 1701 Red River Street Theft: The circus is in town!! A staff member of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus reported several bags of cotton candy, circus hats, and a uniform were stolen. Estimated loss value: $65.00. Occurred between 08/20/14, at 10:15 PM and 08/21/14 at 1:15 PM. MUSIC RECITAL HALL, 2405 Trinity Street Theft: A UT student reported she left her purse in an unlocked room and went to the football stadium for band practice. When she returned, her purse and iPhone were stolen. Estimated loss value: $100.00. Occurred on 08/21/14, between 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. ** Crime Prevention Tip: Crime is a 3 step process – Desire, Ability, and Opportunity. There is nothing one can do about a criminal’s desire or ability to commit a crime. However, one can take away their opportunity. Please do not leave your personal property unsecured and unattended. Thieves are out there - just waiting on the opportunity to steal your property!! ALMETRIS DUREN RESIDENCE HALL, 2624 Whitis Avenue Possess Marijuana-2 Oz or Less and Possession or Delivery of Drug Paraphernalia: UT police officers responded to a smell of marijuana call. Upon arrival, the officers smelled a strong odor of burning marijuana coming from a dorm room. The officers knocked on the door and the resident answered. Both roommates admitted to using a vaporizer to smoke marijuana. One roommate was in possession of marijuana and the other roommate was in possession of the vaporizer. Occurred on 08/22/14, at 12:04 AM. The University of Texas Police Department responded to 19 Alarm Reports, 2 Call Box Activations, 1 Fire Alarm, 1 Panic Alarm, 7 Traffic Violations, 5 Public Assist Requests, 1 Welfare Concern Report, 1 Unsecured Door Report, 2 Suspicious Vehicle Reports, and 1 Suspicious Person Report between 08/21/14 and 08/22/14. 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 William R. Pieper at 512-232-9634 or via e-mail to photocop@mail.utexas.edu Prepared by: Ofc. Layne Brewster To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php/
