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BUSINESS AFFAIRS : CAMPUS POLICE : SECURITY AND CRIME AWARENESS

 

  

SECURITY and CRIME AWARENESS

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UTB/TSC COMMITMENT to CAMPUS SAFETY AWARENESS

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College is committed to a safe and secure campus environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The philosophy of the University Police Department is one of prevention and education rather than reaction to incidents.

The cooperation and support of the campus community is critical to the safety of our campus. The University has instituted safety and security procedures and service, but one’s personal safety is each person’s responsibility. It is important that personal precautions be taken and that an awareness of the environment and surroundings be maintained to reduce one’s risk. The University will continue to develop and implement security measures, but these measures cannot succeed without the personal support of the campus community. Therefore, all are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their own personal safety and the security of their belongings.

In accordance with the Campus Security Act and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1990, amended in 1998, this policy outlines the University’s responses and obligations.

REPORTING CRIME TO UNIVERSITY POLICE

Individuals are encouraged to immediately report all suspicious activity, alleged criminal activity, and emergency situations that occur on campus to the Campus Police. The Campus Police phone number is (956) 882-8233 and they are located in Cavalry Hall.

Assistance can be obtained by officers who are on patrol or by accessing the emergency phones located throughout campus. (Orange emergency poles are located around campus outside while yellow phone boxes are located inside the classroom buildings). If an incident occurs on campus, do not call 911 directly because these calls are routed through the Brownsville Police Department who have a longer response time. The faster Campus Police is aware of incidents on campus, the faster the response.

The Campus Police Department reviews and investigates all reports and responses appropriately and in accordance with Campus Police procedures. Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the offense, the Police can arrest and file charges with the District Attorney’s Office and/or refer the alleged offender(s) to the appropriate campus administrators for campus disposition, such as the Dean of Students and campus supervisors.

CAMPUS POLICE LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY

The UTB/TSC Police Department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff includes Texas commissioned police officers who are fully employed by the state and have authorization to stop vehicles, make arrests, and enforce all laws. Additional security guards help patrol the campus. Officers and guards use police cars, bicycles and foot patrols to access the campus easily.

Parking & Traffic

Another important role of Campus Police includes parking and traffic on campus. Parking decals are required and can be obtained by Campus Police after showing proof of payment from the Business Office. Vehicles without decals or improperly parked are subject to tickets. For complete information about the University parking and traffic rules and regulations, contact Campus Police or access its Web page at www.utbtsc.edu/campolice/parking.html.

Policies

In addition to local, state and federal law, the University has a number of policies that prohibit certain activities that are detrimental to our mission. Campus Police has the role and responsibility of responding to these incidents and taking appropriate action. Related polices can be found in the HOOP, Student Catalog, Student Guide and Academic Course Schedule. All of these publications are located on the UTB/TSC Web page at www.utbtsc.edu. It is the responsibility of all members, guests, and visitors to know and follow the policies and procedures of the University. Questions that are related to University policies are to be directed to the Dean of Students, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, Texas 78520, call them at (956) 882-5141, http://www.sa.utb.edu/DOS.

Jurisdiction

The campus police jurisdiction includes the main campus, the Fort Brown resaca tract along Gorgas Drive, Riverside Campus, and Ringgold Road. Campus Police also responds to calls related to incidents that occur off-campus, from University owned property. Additionally, the University has a cooperative arrangement with local law enforcement agencies such as the Brownsville Police Department, the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

SECURITY and ACCESS to FACILITIES

Campus facilities are to be used for the direct and indirect support of the educational mission and can be used by the students, faculty, and staff of UTB/TSC.

Most of the buildings are accessible to members of the campus community, guests and visitors during the hours of 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Friday. Access to campus buildings on Saturdays and Sundays is more restrictive. After-hours use of buildings is limited only to authorized personnel. To use the UTB/TSC facilities, prior proper authorization must be obtained. In some instances, access to some campus facilities may be restricted to comply with rules and regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System and to meet safety and security requirements as determined by University officials. Individuals not authorized or without a legitimate purpose to be in the facility will be asked to leave or be removed.

The University rents or owns some buildings/office space located in and around the Brownsville area. Campus Police work with local law enforcement agencies in those communities when incidents occur. These spaces include, but are not limited to: the Alonso Building, Young House, Port Isabel Learning Center and South Padre Island Educational Building.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS and SERVICES

Students and employees are encouraged to be alert and responsible for their own safety and security of others.

The best way to stop crime is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Campus Police Department and the Division of Student Affairs provide educational materials and programs designed to inform students and employees about personal safety and security issues.

These programs and services include educational information about crime prevention and reporting, personal safety measures and self-defense programs, motor vehicle safety, engraving services, drug and alcohol education and prevention and sexual assault prevention.

At the request of any on-campus group, educational programs can be arranged.

POLICE REPORTS and MONITORING

Once Campus Police is notified of an incident, an assessment of the situation will be made and immediate action will be taken.

In accordance with Police procedures, if the incident warrants, a report will be written. Depending on the situation, the case will be either an open and ongoing investigation, be referred to other campus offices and/or local agencies, or closed. Copies of police reports can be obtained by submitting a written request 48 hours after the case is closed to the Police Department. Victims of motor vehicle related cases or theft often need copies of police reports for insurance purposes.

The Police Department informs the University community, on a timely basis, about crime and crime-related problems in the following ways:

  • Annual Report – A comprehensive annual report of crime related information is compiled and published annually. This report is available to the public and any member of the University community. It can be accessed at www.utbtsc.edu/campolice/saca.html.
  • Monthly Report – Comprehensive monthly reports by Campus Police are submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety, The University of Texas System, and to the UTB/TSC Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs and are available upon request at the Campus Police Department.
  • Crime Alerts – Immediate notice will be given when information about a particular crime has been repeatedly committed or if a serious crime has occurred, so that the campus community can be aware. This notification will be made available through a variety of methods such as the campus email system, faxes, and posting of flyers around campus.
  • Daily Logs – Each call and complaint received by Campus Police is reported on a daily log kept by the dispatcher. The nature, date, time, and general location of where the incident took place is recorded as well as the immediate disposition of the complaint. These daily logs are available for public review within two business days unless the release of the information could jeopardize the victim’s confidentiality or an ongoing investigation.

ALCOHOL and DRUGS

The University will not tolerate any use or abuse of illegal drugs or alcohol on campus or at a University sponsored activity or program. (The President may grant special permission for alcohol to be served for some activities.) Alleged violators will be subject to related local, state and federal laws, as well as University policies and be subject to disciplinary action. In addition, the University reserves the right to contact student’s parents, (for students under the age of 21), without the consent of the student for violations of drugs and alcohol.

ADDITIONAL RIGHTS for VICTIMS of SEXUAL ASSAULT OFFENSES

In addition to the above rights and services, special attention is provided to those individuals who have been victims of sexual assault. Victims are encouraged to contact the police and go to a medical facility immediately after a sexual assault has occurred to preserve evidence for any criminal investigation.

Also, counseling is available through the Counseling Center in Tandy Hall 205 or the Rape Crisis Center Hotline at 882-7273.

When a student reports that he/she has been sexually assaulted, efforts are taken to protect the emotional health and physical safety of the complainant. The university will act in accordance with University policy and allow the complainant the following rights:

  • The right to be kept informed about actions related to the incident.
  • The right to have changes made to their academic or living arrangements.
  • The right to be present during the entire hearing, notwithstanding the fact that the complainant will be called as a witness. (The accused student has the same right.)
  • The right to have a support person present during the hearing.

This person is not entitled to represent the complainant nor to assist him/her with his/her testimony. If the support person is to act as a witness, the hearing officer may require him/her to testify prior to the complainant. (The accused student has the same right.)

  • The right not to have evidence of his/her past sexual history with third parties admitted as evidence.
  • The right to have the hearing closed to spectators unless both the accused and the complainant consent in writing to having the hearing open to the public.

STATISTICS CONCERNING CAMPUS CRIMES

In accordance with this federal regulation, UTB/TSC will distribute annual crime statistics by Oct. 1 of each year indicating the previous three year’s statistics for comparison purposes.

Reported crime statistics are determined from alleged incidents on campus, that were filed with either Campus Police, local police agencies, or other university personnel, excluding Professional Counselors.

The categories and definitions of crimes reported are established by the FBI Uniform Crime Report and include:

Murder:

  • Non-negligent manslaughter: The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.
  • Negligent manslaughter: The killing of another person through gross negligence.

Sex Offense:

  • Forcible: Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and or against that person’s will; or non forcible act against a person who is unable or incapable of giving consent.
  • Non-forcible: Unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse.

Robbery: The taking or attempt to take anything of value from another either by force or by a threat of violence.

Arson: The willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn of personal or public property.

Assault:

  • Aggravated: The unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. Usually a weapon is involved.
  • Non-aggravated: Assaults and attempted assaults where no weapon is used and that do not result in serious or aggravated injury to the victim.

Burglary (Breaking and Entering): The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. Forced entry is not a required element of the offense; it may be accomplished via an unlocked door or window, so long as the entry is unlawful (constituting trespassing).

Motor Vehicle Theft: Theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Hate Crimes: Any of the above-listed offenses and other crime involving bodily injury or threat made to any person who is intentionally selected because of the actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability of the victim.

Arrest for Liquor Law Violations: Violations of law or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession or use of alcoholic beverages including driving under the influences and public intoxication.

Arrest for Drug Abuse Violations: Violations of law or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, distribution, and equipment or devices utilized in their preparation and or use.

Arrest for Weapons Possession: Violations of law or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices, or other deadly weapons.

HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS of 1998 CHANGES STATS REPORTING

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 changed the way the statistics are to be reported as of 1999 by defining where the incident allegedly occurred.

UTB/TSC will begin reporting serious crimes by their location as defined below:

  • On Campus – Any building or property owned or controlled by UTB/TSC within the same reasonable contiguous geographic area that is used for the direct or indirect support of the educational mission.
  • Off Campus Housing – Any housing facility that UTB/TSC owns or rents in which an individual spends an extended period of time.
  • Non-campus Building or Property – Any building which is owned or controlled by a student organization that is recognized by UTB/TSC or any building or property owned or controlled by UTB/TSC that is used for the direct or indirect support of the educational mission but is not within the same reasonable contiguous geographic area of UTB/TSC, such as other campus locations.
  • On Public Property – Any public property that is within the same reasonable contiguous geographical area of campus such as sidewalks and streets that are adjacent to the campus.

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS ON CAMPUS

DON'T:

  • Carry a large amount of cash - use a checking account.
  • Leave your office unattended.
  • Allow unidentified individuals into your office.
  • Leave valuables or keys in plain sight.
  • Remove rings and other jewelry when washing your hands in the restroom. If you must remove jewelry, put them in your pocket.
  • Walk alone at night or in remote deserted or poorly lit areas.
  • Engage in confrontations with strangers.

DO:

  • Report loss of office keys to the University Police and the Key Control Office, located in the Physical Plant.
  • Have your keys ready as you approach your destination.
  • Report any suspicious persons or dangerous situations.
  • Secure your purse, briefcase or backpack.
  • Identify and make a list of personal property in your office and home. Include brand names, models and serial numbers.
  • Lock your car doors and secure valuables in the trunk.
  • Contact Campus Police if you are working or studying late or on the weekends. Ask them to escort you to your car when you leave.
  • Report harassing telephone calls.
  • An inventory of your credit cards. Report loss or theft of cards as soon as possible.
  • Report any incident that occurs in the parking lots to Campus Police promptly.
  • Remember to write down license plate numbers, make, model and color of vehicle.

IF YOU ARE ROBBED OR MUGGED

Don't resist. Hand over valuables quickly and quietly.

Don't take any chances - a robber may be armed - but if people are nearby, try to attract attention. Scream, run.

Report an incident to the Campus Police promptly. Try to remember as much as you can about the robber - height, weight, clothing, statements, race, sex.

FOR EVERYONE

IF YOU DRINK DON'T DRIVE
IF YOU DRIVE DON'T DRINK

UNIVERSITY RESPONSE to OFFENSES

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College is committed to eliminating behaviors that are detrimental to the University’s educational mission. In addition to alleged violations of the law, the University has established policies and procedures for addressing individuals who have allegedly violated campus polices.

If warranted, the accused could be arrested, and the case will be handled by local law enforcement agencies, as well as being referred to the proper University administrators for campus disposition.

The rights of the alleged violator, complainant, and the procedure that affect students can be found in the Student Discipline Code and in the employee grievance polices for staff and faculty. Following an on-campus disciplinary proceeding, sanctions may be imposed on faculty, staff, or students found in violation of University policy, which may result in separation from the University.

For a complete range of sanctions, refer to the Faculty and Staff HOOP and Student Guide. Retaliatory action of any kind against an individual who has brought forth a complaint, including a sexual assault complaint, in good faith or has participated in good faith in an investigation of such a complaint is strictly prohibited.

STATEMENT of EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

To the extent provided by applicable law, no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under, any program or activity sponsored or conducted by Texas Southmost College and The University of Texas System or any of its component institutions on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

REVIEW

This policy is reviewed and updated annually by the Dean of Students Office and Campus Police.

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