University of Texas campus
police are warning students to be vigilant of their surroundings and to report
any suspicious activity.
On Jan. 26 around 5:22 a.m., a Kinsolving Dormitory
student discovered a male had entered her
room and cuddled with her. The student reported screaming, followed by the male
running from the room. University of Texas at Austin Police Department was
called to the resident hall. During the investigation, the officers reported
searching the hall floor and discovering the man had entered the room from the
adjoining room where he was then discovered. The man has been identified as a
UT student. He stated he was spending the night with a friend. A Kinsolving resident
assistant and UTPD escorted the student from the building.
UTPD
Crime Prevention Specialist Officer Darrell Halstead said students play a key
part in campus safety.
“Being observant
is the best thing you as a student can do to help UTPD,” Halstead said. “We
want people to report things and be aware of their surroundings.”
“It
is important for students to pay attention to Campus Watch and to stay
up-to-date on the latest activities reported on campus,” Halstead said.
San
Jacinto dormitory resident Ebenezer Rosiji subscribes to Campus Watch.
“Despite the seriousness of the
crime alerts that clog our inboxes, we tend to respond with a quick ‘did you
hear about...?’ to our friends and then click the ‘delete’ button, going about
our daily business without much change to our usual behavior,” Rosiji said in
an email.
Jester East Resident Assistance
Aysha Welch says it is important for students to pay attention to the alerts
they receive via email and text.
“Part of our job is safety and we
want to do our job, but we need residents help,” Welch said.
According to Inside Higher Ed, an experts
guide to college, crime rates and reported incidences have fallen across
college campuses in the past years. Halstead says this is due to students being
more transparent with cops and school officials.
“You are only as safe as you allow
yourself to be,” Halstead said. “If you do not take the safety measures in
place and report what is going on, you put yourself at risk.”
UTPD Crime Prevention Specialist
Officer Layne Brewster seconds this approach.
“It is up to all of us. It is your
campus too, so when you see things, report it,” Brewster said.
In addition to reporting incidents
on campus, San Jacinto Senior Resident Assistant Jasmine Powell says it is
important to follow safety measures put in place by the university.
“Resident halls have policies in
place to keep students safe,” Powell said. “Security
programming is provided throughout the year
and residents must check-in their guests.”
The Division of Housing and Food
Service at UT suggests students to follow the safety measures below:
• Locked doors to hallways, bathrooms and access from the
outside should never be propped, the lock disabled in any form, or the door
held open for an unknown person.
• For your protection, tell your roommate or RA about
unusual destinations and expected times of return.
Signs of Crime
The following situations may indicate criminal
activity and should be reported to your Residence Hall Staff and University
Police:
- A scream or call for help
- A strange, unescorted person on your floor
- A broken window
- Seeing someone you do not know or recognize:
- Entering your neighbor's room
- Entering an office or lab with no apparent business to transact
- Loitering in a parking lot, near your residence hall, or work area
- Carrying two bicycles
- Trying to break or pry a car window
Intruders
- It is usually best not to yell out or try to detain an offender. The person may panic and react in an unpredictable manner. Usually the offender will run away when spotted.
- If the offender runs away, do not follow, but do try to notice which direction the person goes. If there is a place from which you can observe safely, such as a window, watch to see if the offender gets into a car, goes to another building, etc.
- Try to get a good description of the offender. If the person speaks to you remember what was said and how it was said.
- Report incidents and suspicious persons to your RA and UTPD.
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