UTPD Announcements: Enjoy your winter break and congratulations graduates! This is the final fall edition of Campus Watch. See you back next semester! December 3, 2019, 2:03 p.m., 727 East Dean Keeton Street (Townes Hall) Criminal Mischief: A cabinet marked “CASH” was broken into. Nothing was taken. No valuables were actually stored inside. Safety Tip: Theft is the most common crime in our community and also the most easily preventable. In addition to taking valuables with you, it’s worth taking time to strategize. Though in this case the would-be thief probably wanted to take money, always consider identity theft as a criminal’s potential objective. If you see strangers in your office, ask who they are visiting and how you can help them find that person. Be discreet about where valuables are stored and also about vacations. If a cabinet, door, or window appears to be broken or tampered with report this to UTPD immediately. We use a directed patrol data system that helps guide our officers according to what the community and our records tell us about potential crime. Take a few minutes to conduct your own audit of your office’s theft prevention. What information is in your trash can that should be in a shredder? Could someone access valuables after working hours? Are purses, phones, and wallets left exposed on desks? Would someone who shouldn’t be able to access offices? Register your property with us: https://police.utexas.edu/services/property December 4, 2019 Suspicious Activity: An employee reported concern that a former partner was showing up without invitation or explanation at their workplace. UTPD’s Threat Mitigation Unit took note of this information and completed a report. The employee was advised to call 911 any time they feel unsafe. Safety Tip: There is a high correlation between stalking and domestic violence. Follow your instincts and dial 911. Do not rationalize or feel guilt and embarrassment, which can lead a stalking victim to remain silent. If you are concerned an ex is harassing you, it’s important to save evidence. Save text messages, emails, and voicemails, and take notes on any details where there isn’t evidence—for example, the time and place where you saw someone. UTPD’s Threat Mitigation Unit wants to know about these events to complete a report. Consider the lighting around your workplace, think of two ways out of your office and other locations you visit, and consider carrying pepper spray. Review where celebrated entrances are at your building, and know your options for communicating with UTPD in duress, such as texting 911 your location. For more helpful advice, please visit our victim guide to dealing with stalking: https://police.utexas.edu/services/victims-resources/stalking December 4, 2019, 11:00 p.m., 2323 San Antonio St. (The Castilian) Suspicious Activity: A UTPD officer monitoring APD’s radio heard a report of a man walking outside with a machete in hand. The officer checked the area, initially not seeing anyone matching the suspect description and then began walking through West Campus. While talking to people in the community, someone gave him more information describing the suspect and the officer soon spotted the man. The officer and a backup UTPD officer identified the man who wasn’t affiliated with UT. Machetes are not unlawful to possess off campus, but the man told the officers he did not wish to keep the machete and asked UTPD officers to dispose of it. The officer did so. Safety Tip: If you observe something that makes you feel unsafe, dial 911. Often members of our community ask how to determine which police agency to call when on the border of campus, or in West Campus. The answer is simple: just dial 911. Police dispatchers and police officers will work together to get you the fastest response. UTPD can respond to calls off campus when appropriate, such as in this incident. 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/
