Crime Prevention Tip of the Week: Being a student at UT Austin as finals approach can be stressful! Juggling schoolwork and the responsibilities of adult life, while experiencing mental illness, can make it even harder. Every UTPD officer is or will soon be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement as a Mental Health Officer and is ready to talk to you about solutions to these challenges. Getting help can be the difference that makes you or a friend a success who changes the world. Don’t want to talk to a police officer right now? We get it. UT Austin has a great Counselling and Mental Health Center that students can reach by dialing (512) 471-3515, an Employee Assistance Program that staff and faculty can reach by dialing (512) 471-3366, and a crisis hotline for counselling anytime at (512) 471-CALL. If you forget these numbers, know that you can always call UTPD and we’re happy to transfer the call. Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus criminal activity reported to or observed by The University of Texas At Austin Police Department Patrol Officers between Sunday 10/21/18 and Saturday 10/27/18. 10/21/2018, at 5:06 a.m., 209 E 21st Street (San Jacinto Hall) Medical Emergency; UTPD and EMS was dispatched to a medical emergency. A UT Student reported that his 19 year old friend was intoxicated, vomiting, and passing out. UTPD responded and got medical assistance for the student, and determined his condition was not life-threatening. The man was transported to the Austin Sobering Center until his intoxication wore off, and given counselling on addiction. It’s important to note: this student was entitled to Medical Amnesty for Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, and got through this situation without any criminal charges. Dialing 911 was a good move in this situation. 10/23/2018, at 11:15 p.m., 300 w 11th Street Driving While License Invalid; Unlawful Carry of Firearm; Possession of Body Armor by a Felon; Tampering with Evidence; A UTPD Officer stopped a pickup driving aggressively, and well in excess of the speed limit. This vehicle also had expired vehicle registration, and its driver had five active suspensions on his driver’s license. A backup officer saw a handgun hidden behind the center console, and asked the driver to step out of the vehicle to ensure everyone’s safety. As the driver exited the vehicle, a pipe with methamphetamine fell to the ground, and the man stepped on the pipe in a furtive manner, clearly intended to destroy this evidence. A search of the car also yielded heavy body armor and two bags of marijuana. Upon further investigation, officers found that due to this driver’s conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, he was legally forbidden to possess a firearm or body armor. This man was taken off the street and transported to Travis County Jail without further incident. This call is a great example of officers working well as a team to keep a situation safe for our community and themselves. 10/24/2018, at 4:30 p.m., The West Mall Several UTPD officers were at the West Mall to ensure the safety of students engaged in their first amendment right to free expression. Most of these interactions were calm, despite much disagreement, and though a few voices were louder, only one person took their expression beyond words. One man tried to spray water from his water bottle on another man, but he missed and hit a third party. Water got onto the victim’s face, and his camera equipment. Before this situation escalated further, officers stepped in and separated the parties. It is unlawful to make offensive contact with another person without consent, and the man who sprayed water was given a citation for assault by contact, and left the scene without further incident. UTPD’s top priority at these sorts of events is keeping first amendment speech safe and protected, so everyone has the opportunity to express their point of view. *The University of Texas Police Department responded to 720 calls for service. 253 Alarm Activations, 41 Suspicious Activity Investigations, 122 Foot Patrols, 61 Traffic Violations, and 7 Welfare Concerns between Sunday 10/21/18 and Saturday 10/27/18. This week's Campus Watch was prepared by: Officer Dustin Farahnak.
