"On the Scene"

Crimelines/PD Files	On the Border	Security/Facilities	A Path More Traveled
Safe Campus	Q&A	Security Tips	Programs of Note

TCU POLICE

"On The Scene"

A Path More Traveled

University Installs New Jogging Track on Worth Hills Campus

Lying sprawled in the muddied track, she wondered why she’d bothered to come out in the first place. The young sophomore from Florida had left her dorm room, anticipating a brisk afternoon run. Though the February skies over the University were overcast, she’d told herself that she could still get in "a few good laps" before rain began to fall…At the start of her jog, the ground was solid and "only a little uneven," she later told the police officer sent to investigate.

A fall of this sort is now less likely at TCU since the University’s installation of a new jogging track over the summer break. The path is made of concrete and offers much-needed relief from the uneven terrain of previous semesters. The route has remained approximately the same as the track worn into the land surrounding the intramural fields. Roughly, the track will circle south to west along Bellaire Dr. South, to north along Bellaire Dr. West, to east along Bellaire Dr. North. This ‘longest’ route will be broken into several shorter routes (for those of us less inclined to enter marathons…Ed.). With a good pair of running shoes and a brief prayer to the weather gods, you can set out on the course of your choice, secure in the knowledge that the track you’re running is smooth surfaced and less likely to cause injury than the rutted, uneven surface we’ve had in the past.

Top of Page

Hardened Targets

(The following is Part 1 of a 5-part series adapted from "Hardening Your Home," used with the permission of the University of Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.)

Despite sound construction, excellent physical security equipment, good maintenance, and relatively intensive law enforcement patrol, theft is a perennial problem in student residence halls. Analysis of crime reports quickly reveals the problem; the majority of crimes are thefts of personal property which has been left unattended, unsecured, and unmarked.

At TCU (and at most U.S. colleges and universities) the majority of passive home security measures are already in place when you move into University Housing; the halls have excellent security doors and locks, are well-lighted, and are regularly patrolled. Procedural security is, unfortunately, a different matter.

Many students come from a home environment where they were not the person responsible for home security and may be unused to taking a personal role in securing the residence. Additionally, most students are not used to any group living arrangement, and are not cognizant that their actions effect not only their personal security, but the security of all those other students who reside in their housing unit

Security in residence halls is collective; everyone has to cooperate to maintain adequate security. Every time an unthinking peer props open an outside or a corridor door, YOUR security is effected. When your roommate or suitemate leaves the room or suite door open, YOUR security is compromised.

Take a few moments early in the semester to reach an agreement with those with whom you share access to your room about keeping the door locked at all times when no one is there in the room/suite. It is also good practice to keep the door closed and locked when you are present but asleep.

(TCU has an excellent Housing Staff, each of whom is willing and able to assist members of the campus community in creating as safe a learning environment as possible…Ed.)

Part 2 of "Hardened Targets" will address privacy issues and building security measures you can take.

.....with Community Services Officer Matt Welch

Welcome to the first issue of "On the Scene", the TCU Police Newsletter. TCUPD has graciously twisted my arm in hopes that I can fill up some space with useful information and crime tips.

First of all, let's get introductions out of the way. My name is Officer Matt Welch. I am the NPO working liaison to TCU for FWPD. Now I'll cut through the government-police talk. I am the Fort Worth cop assigned to the TCU campus and work out of the cop shop on Berry Street. I have had this assignment for the last two years and I am here to serve you with whatever you need.

Currently, I work with TCU police making crime prevention presentations, solving ongoing problems and locating Ft. Worth Police reports. I also work with the Campus Life office in student matters. My wife and I are both TCU alumni and are very partial to the TCU community. I work out of the Ft. Worth Police Storefront located at 2900 W. Berry. You can call me at the storefront at 923-1720 or call my voice mail at 871-5447. Call for police questions, call if you need a speaker for a crime prevention program, call if you are a victim of a crime and need help figuring out the legal system and, by all means, call if you have pangs of guilt and want to confess and need a ride to jail.

There have been no arrests of the rapist that has assaulted three young women in the TCU area. Currently, there are 4 detectives, 3 officers and one sergeant assigned to the case. This has been a slow and tedious process as we have been sorting through the hundreds of leads called in. There have been no more reported sexual assaults in the TCU area since the last one in April.

There has been an increase in burglary of motor vehicles in the Southwest area of Ft. Worth. Several of these crimes have been solved with the recent arrests of 2 TCU students.

It is important to remember that although most TCU students, faculty and staff members are honest, decent people, TCU is just a reflection of the community at large and there are always going to be a few rotten apples in every barrel.

Crimelines

When You Are A Victim Of Any Crime....

Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies; 335-4222 for non-emergency calls to Ft. Worth Police.

June 21 Disorderly Conduct (Colby Hall) Officers were dispatched regarding harassing phone calls.

June 19 Harassment (3000 W. Bowie)[Off campus incident] Female complainant being harassed by several males in a dark colored vehicle. Suspect vehicle spotted, FWPD called to scene; suspects arrested by FWPD for Public Intoxication.

June 16 Theft (University Ministries) Several diamonds removed from a chalice used in religious services.

June 15 Burglary Motor Vehicle (3000 Bellaire Dr. North)[Off campus incident] Several vehicles broken into along 3000 block of Bellaire Dr. North. Suspects arrested and charged with Burglary Motor Vehicle.

June 15 Burglary Motor Vehicle (Quad Parking) Right rear wing window broken out and vehicle entered through the passenger door. Property taken; no witnesses or suspects.

June 11 Criminal Mischief (Library Parking) Window shot out (BB) on one of the Geology Department vehicles. No suspects.

June 9 Recovered Stolen Vehicle (Amon Carter Stadium) Stolen vehicle found abandoned on parking lot at Stadium. FWPD made recovery.

June 7 Criminal Mischief (Brite Divinity) Damage to concrete steps at southeast end of building.

June 7 Unlawful Carrying of Weapons (University/Berry)[Off campus incident] Suspect approached the complainant and pointed a pistol at him as a result of a traffic altercation. TCU officer witnessed assault, disarmed suspect, and FWPD transported suspect to jail.

June 5 Burglary Motor Vehicle (Tennis Center) Suspect(s) broke out driver’s side rear window to gain entry and removed property. No suspects/witnesses.

June 4 Disorderly Conduct (Bellaire Condos) Witnesses observed nude male standing in window of vacant apartment. Officers unable to locate suspect. Suspect described as having dark hair with side-burns and a large stomach.

June 3 Assault (Student Center) Two subjects involved in fistfight. Complainant did not wish to file charges.

Top of Page

Questions and Answers

This column is your forum. It attempts to answer question which, from time to time, arise over matters of policy dealing with University regulations and the attendant police actions taken. Your questions and/or comments are welcome. No names will be used.

Q. Do I need to purchase a parking permit for a borrowed vehicle when my own car has a permit on it?

A. No. Stop by TCUPD Records Division. We can verify your permit number by your name and you can obtain a "temporary permit" that allows you to park the borrowed vehicle in authorized parking lots.

Q. Last weekend, I got a ticket for parking on the west side of Sadler Hall. Since it was after 5 p.m., why did I get ticketed?

A. Check the TCU Parking and Traffic Regulations. "Parking Violations, 1.D" states that these parking spaces will be enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Q. My friends and I are planning to go bird hunting in the near future. Is it OK to keep my shotgun in my dorm room as long as it’s not loaded?

A. No. Possession of any firearm on campus is prohibited and is punishable as a 3rd degree felony by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. Bring the weapon(s) by the Police Department to be stored for safekeeping. They’ll be locked in a gun vault and you may generally retrieve them when you’re ready to go on your trip.

Q. My mom and dad were visiting with me on campus last weekend and their car was ticketed. What can I do?

A. Check the Parking Regulations. Visitors should sign their name and address on the back of the citation and mail it to TCUPD or bring it by. Remember though, if the visitor receives 3 or more citations, their car is subject to booting or towing.

Q. My dorm key doesn’t unlock the exterior doors on my dorm. What should I do?

A. Check with your Hall Director or Resident Assistant, you may need a new key. If the lock(s) themselves are faulty or broken, report the unsafe condition to your HD immediately.

A. Sorry, it’s not. According to the Parking Regulations, parking permits are only valid if permanently affixed to the outside of the rear window, lower left side. Convertibles should have the sticker displayed on the left rear bumper of their vehicle.

A. Check the Code of Student Conduct, Section 3.2.11. Generally, you must be of legal drinking age (21 years of age in Texas), cannot serve alcoholic beverages to minors (anyone under 21), and may not possess a keg or similar bulk quantity container. You may not possess ‘open containers’ of alcoholic beverage on campus in places other than your dorm room, regardless of your age.

Security and Campus Facilities

Most University buildings and facilities are accessible to members of the campus community, guests, and visitors during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. After hours, weekends, and holidays, all outside doors are locked to protect both persons and property. some doors may remain open when deemed appropriate to the needs of the University community.

The emergency "blue light" (on top of the phone for identification) phones are located in parking lots and near many buildings on campus. Should an emergency, or any situations requiring police service arise: go to the emergency phone, open the cover, pick up the receiver and, when the dispatcher answers, relate the necessary information to get assistance to you.

The location of the phone from which you are calling automatically registers in the dispatch office. The dispatcher will send officers to your location; try to remain near the phone from which you call, if, in so doing, you do not further jeopardize your safety. All elevators in campus buildings are equipped with emergency phones or intercoms. Push to talk and, when the police dispatcher responds, state the nature of your emergency.

Texas Christian University has implemented security services and procedures and will continue to bring safe and effective programs to the campus community. However, the personal safety of each individual who enters the campus in his or her responsibility. Taking adequate safety precautions and remaining alert to changing environments can decrease your risk of victimization. The University and the police department can and does its utmost to prevent and detect criminal and/or suspicious activity on campus but your personal crime prevention efforts are necessary for any program to be effective. Please be alert to any unsafe conditions and contact the police department for assistance.

Programs of Note

Crime prevention and other services offered by TCUPD and the Ft. Worth PD Community Service Officer include:

RAD stands for Rape Aggression Defense system and the program, which has been on campus since 1996 has been well received. RAD teaches women defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault by utilizing easy, effective, and proven self-defense/martial arts tactics. RAD provides effective options by teaching women to take an active role in their own self-defense and psychological well-being. The RAD program was developed for and is offered to females only. For more information, contact Sgt. John Pacheco at 257-7930.

The Student Escort Service is another of the safety programs offered by TCUPD. The students who use the escort services have responded positively to the program. TCU police officer escorts are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Student escorts however, operate between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. If you need someone to walk with you from the parking lots to your dorm or provide transportation (when available), call for the student escorts.

Use the emergency phones at various locations near parking lots and around campus or dial 7777 or 7930 at any time to request the service. If you have a cellular phone in your car, you may phone TCU police at 257-7777, request an escort, and in many cases, have the service waiting on you when you arrive. The TCU Police Department and the student escort service providers are here to assist you.

The "Campus Crime Watch" program’s emphasis is of a "neighborhood watch" nature with the TCU campus being our "neighborhood." Meetings for the program are open to all students, faculty, staff, and friends. Sergeant Connie Villela, TCUPD’s Crime Prevention Specialist, hosts the meetings and provides speakers on subjects of interest to campus community members.

TCU Police "On the Scene" is published monthly by the Texas Christian University Police Department. Letters to the Editor and/or comments on Newsletter content are welcomed and encouraged. Address correspondence to: Newsletter Editor, TCU Box 298230, Ft. Worth, TX 76129 or E-mail: j.drake@tcu.edu. All material contained herein is copyrighted and may not be used without the expressed, written consent of the Texas Christian University Police Department.