Don’t forget to connect with UTPD via Twitter and Facebook, and remember you can reach out to your campus District Representative with any non-emergency concerns or questions you have. Other great social media resources include the Twitter feeds for UT Austin’s Office of Campus Safety and the Austin Police Department. To view our official crime log, visit: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/fasweb/utpd/nlogon/crimelog/ 9/2/2019 at 9:30 p.m., 1301 E. Dean Keeton St. (Facilities Complex). Criminal Trespass; Obstruction or Retaliation: An officer on patrol observed a bicycle propping open a restroom door at the university's vehicle maintenance facility. This behavior is unusual, especially at night. When the officer approached the door a second time, the bicycle was gone, and one of the bathroom stalls was occupied. Its occupant ignored our officer for some time, but eventually came out. He was recognized immediately as someone UTPD had arrested on numerous occasions for theft, drug possession, and trespassing. When told he was under arrest, the man threatened the UTPD officer multiple times. He was nevertheless transported to Travis County Jail safely and without incident. Safety Tip: UTPD Officers should recognize what’s out of the ordinary, but you can always help by letting us know if you see something you find suspicious. Our officers are trained in de-escalation, and will strive to handle uncooperative or dangerous individuals as calmly and professionally as possible. Nevertheless, this man’s threats against officers constituted Obstruction or Retaliation, a Third Degree Felony, a far more serious charge than what he was initially facing. 9/4/2019 at 8:58 am, 2300 San Antonio Street. Public Intoxication; Criminal Trespass: A UTPD officer monitoring APD radio heard a report that a suspicious man was on the grounds of a Sorority located west of campus. The complainant had reported a man leaning on the light pole by the porch wouldn’t say anything to anyone who asked him if he was OK. UTPD officers were only a few blocks away and found the man still leaning on the light and not able to answer any questions. He showed many signs of narcotic intoxication, so officers called for Austin/Travis County EMS to assist. While waiting, the man began coming out of his state and seemed confused and upset. He began flailing his arms, and officers placed him into handcuffs until APD arrived to assist. He was taken by EMS for treatment for his degree of intoxication. UTPD did not pursue criminal charges. Safety Tip: The caller in this situation did the right thing getting the police to help with someone who was trespassing on the Sorority’s porch. It was a better outcome for all when the man became responsive and volatile after officers were on scene, rather than before. 9/6/2019 at 4:43 p.m., 301. E Dean Keeton St. (Ernest Cockrell Jr Building) Suspicious Package: Staff received a letter they found suspicious, due to writing on the package, and contacted UTPD. We determined the package was not dangerous. Safety Tip: UTPD has protocols for all forms of suspicious packages and letters. Here’s what to look out for: ● Packages addressed to a title only, or a misspelled or incorrect title ● Excessive postage, no return address, or oddly typed or written words on the package ● Bulky, lopsided or uneven packages ● Protruding wires, excessive tape, oily stains, or crystallization on the package ● Anything your instincts say are wrong If you find a letter or package suspicious, call 9-1-1. Do not open or manipulate the package. Ask others to stay away from the package until UTPD arrives to determine the appropriate response. 9/07/2019 at 2:47 a.m., 302 W. 24th St. (Littlefield House) Public Intoxication; Possession of Marijuana: Officers observed a homeless man sleeping in the grass in the front yard of the Littlefield House. The officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on the man as they woke him up. The man was confused about his location, his speech was slurred, and he was unable to walk without stumbling. Officers placed the man under arrest for Public Intoxication. Officers found marijuana in his pocket. Instead of taking him to Travis County Jail, they took him to the Austin Sobering Center. They also issued him a written Criminal Trespass Warning. Safety Tip: The focus on this call was that it’s not safe to have intoxicated people camping on campus. On this basis, UTPD can issue Criminal Trespass Warnings, providing written notice and a map of locations someone cannot return. Though the man committed the offenses of Possession of Marijuana and Public Intoxication, charging the man for those offenses would not be an effective use of university or county resources. The actual problem may be addiction. By diverting this man to the Sobering Center, he gets access to resources that may help him with that problem in a more proactive manner, and UTPD personnel are also able to resume patrol activity more quickly. Don’t forget to connect with UTPD via Twitter and Facebook, and remember you can reach out to your campus District Representative with any non-emergency concerns or questions you have. Other great social media resources include the Twitter feeds for UT Austin’s Office of Campus Safety and the Austin Police Department. To view our official crime log, visit: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/fasweb/utpd/nlogon/crimelog/ 9/2/2019; 9:30 p.m., 1301 E. Dean Keeton St. (Facilities Complex) Obstruction or Retaliation: An officer on patrol observed a bicycle propping open a restroom door at the university's vehicle maintenance facility. This behavior is unusual, especially at night. When the officer approached the door a second time, the bicycle was gone and one of the bathroom stalls was occupied. The occupant ignored our officer for some time, but eventually came out. He was immediately recognized as someone UTPD had arrested on numerous occasions for theft, drug possession, and trespassing. When told he was under arrest, the man threatened the UTPD officer multiple times. He was transported to Travis County Jail safely and without incident. Safety Tip: You can greatly help keep the campus safe by letting us know if you see something suspicious. Our officers are trained in de-escalation and will strive to handle uncooperative or dangerous individuals as calmly and professionally as possible. Nevertheless, this man’s threats against officers constituted Obstruction or Retaliation, a Third Degree Felony—a far more serious charge than what he was initially facing. 9/4/2019 8:58 am, 2300 San Antonio Street Public Intoxication, Criminal Trespass: A UTPD officer monitoring the Austin Police Department’s radio heard a report that a suspicious man was on the grounds of a sorority house located west of campus. The complainant reported that a man was leaning on the light pole by the porch and wouldn’t say anything to anyone who asked him if he was okay. UTPD officers were only a few blocks away and found the man still leaning on the light pole and unable to answer any questions. He showed many signs of narcotic intoxication, so officers called for Austin/Travis County EMS to assist. While waiting, the man began coming out of his state and seemed confused and upset. He began flailing his arms, and officers placed him into handcuffs until APD arrived to assist. He was taken by EMS for treatment for his degree of intoxication. UTPD did not pursue criminal charges. Safety Tip: The caller in this situation did the right thing getting the police to help with someone who was trespassing on the sorority’s porch. It was a better outcome for all when the man became responsive and volatile after officers were on scene, rather than before. 9/6/2019 at 4:43 p.m., 301. E Dean Keeton St. (Ernest Cockrell Jr Building) Staff received a letter they found suspicious due to writing on the package and contacted UTPD. We determined the package was not dangerous. Safety Tip: UTPD has protocols for all forms of suspicious packages and letters. Here’s what to look out for: ● Packages addressed to a title only, or a misspelled or incorrect title ● Excessive postage, no return address, or oddly typed or written words on the package ● Bulky, lopsided or uneven packages ● Protruding wires, excessive tape, oily stains, or crystallization on the package ● Anything your instincts say are wrong If you find a letter or package suspicious, call 9-1-1. Do not open or manipulate the package. Ask others to stay away from the package until UTPD arrives to determine the appropriate response. On 09/07/2019 around 02:47 am, 302 W. 24th St. in front of the Littlefield House Public Intoxication, Possession of Marijuana: Officers observed a homeless man sleeping in the grass in the front yard of the Littlefield House. The officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on the man as they woke him up. The man was confused about his location, his speech was slurred, and he was unable to walk without stumbling. Officers placed the man under arrest for Public Intoxication. Officers found marijuana in his pocket. Instead of taking him to Travis County Jail, they took him to the Austin Sobering Center. They also issued him a written Criminal Trespass Warning. Safety Tip: The focus on this call was that it’s not safe to have intoxicated people camping on campus. On this basis, UTPD can issue Criminal Trespass Warnings, providing written notice and a map of locations someone cannot return. Though the man committed the offenses of Possession of Marijuana and Public Intoxication, charging the man for those offenses would not be an effective use of university or county resources. The bigger picture problem may be addiction. By diverting the individual to the Sobering Center, he gets access to resources that may help him with that problem in a more proactive manner, and UTPD personnel are also able to resume patrol activity more quickly. 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