CAMPUS SAFETY BULLETIN – *SUSPECT IN CUSTODY*

On the evening of Monday, April 13, UCA Police received multiple reports from students regarding a male in a green SUV driving up to pedestrians on campus and randomly asking them if they needed a ride. On one of these reported occasions the suspect solicited sexual favors for money. The vigilance of these concerned students resulted in the apprehension of a non-student who was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Sexual Solicitation. We wanted to take this opportunity to encourage all of our students, faculty, and staff to always report any suspicious activity to us immediately. It is the “See Something, Say Something” mentality on our campus that helps to keep UCA a safe place to live, work, and learn.

Please take note of the following personal safety precautions:

• Do not accept rides from someone you do not know.
• If you notice anything suspicious, contact UCA Police immediately by dialing 9-1-1 or (501) 450-3111.
• Always carry a cell phone.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and of the activities of people around you.
• When traveling after dark, always walk with a friend or with a group.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Follow your gut instincts. If your intuition tells you that you are at risk, leave the situation quickly. If you see someone suspicious in a parking lot, building or anywhere on campus, leave the area and call the UCA Police at (501) 450-3111 or call 911.
• If you feel unsafe walking on campus, contact the UCA Police Department and request a free safety escort.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month and we would like to encourage all of our students, faculty, and staff to put an end to this life-threatening practice.

The Hands-Free Myth

Do you think using a hands-free device – whether it’s an earpiece or a dashboard infotainment system – is the safe way to drive and talk on the phone?

If so, you’re not alone. A recent National Safety Council poll shows that 80% of U.S. drivers believe handsfree cell phones are safer than using handheld. However, it’s just not true. More than 30 studies show that using hands-free systems provide drivers no safety benefit. Even with both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, your mind is distracted from the task of driving. Think about it, people have been driving stick shift for decades – the issue is not about keeping two hands on the wheel. The NSC poll also found that 53 percent of respondents believe hands-free devices must be safe to use if they are built into vehicles. Add to that many state laws requiring people to use hands-free, and it’s no wonder there’s confusion.

The results are in:
1. Hands-free features in dashboards actually increase mental distraction*

2. Using voice-to-text is more distracting than typing texts while driving**

3. Drivers who text with their hands or voice (using speech-to-text systems) keep their eyes on the road less often and have reaction times twice as slow**

Learn why at nsc.org/cellfree

#CallsKill

*AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
**Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Information for this post provided by the National Safety Council.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® has become UCA’s signature event in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The university’s Interfraternity Council (IFC), the UCA Police Department, Office of Student Life, Division of Athletics and two community partners, Conway Women’s Shelter and HAVEN House, are organizing the walk.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is the international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence.

Locally, participants will wear women’s high heel shoes to raise awareness about sexual violence, although individuals are not required to wear high heels to participate.

Male students, faculty, staff and female supporters will participate in a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® event at 1:40 p.m., Thursday, April 2. The walk starts at the Crafton Alumni Pavilion/Football Practice Field on the UCA campus.

For more information about Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®, visit www.walkamileinhershoes.org.

Safe Spring Break 2015 will take place prior to students leaving campus for Spring Break.  The events will consist of several activities designed to provide educational information to students in order to encourage responsible decision-making regarding alcohol and to prevent or reduce the risks involved in the college Spring Break experience. The university’s Health and Wellness Office, Counseling Services, Student Life, SGA, and the UCA Police Department are working together along with outside agencies to put on these events. Spring Break is the week of March 23.

SAFE SPRING BREAK 2015

MONDAY, MARCH 16

CAR CRASH SCENE DISPLAY – ALUMNI CIRCLE

How has alcohol impacted you? Students will have the chance to share their experiences with alcohol by writing them on a wrecked car set up on campus. The scene will bring attention to the dangers of drinking and driving by sharing news stories and providing a real-life look at the negative consequences alcohol can have. This display will be up Monday through Wednesday.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS VIDEO – STUDENT HEALTH CENTER 307, 1:40-2:30 PM

This powerful video addresses acquaintance rape, provides safety tips, and is specifically designed for college students.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

FATAL VISION COURSE AND SAFETY FAIR – ALUMNI CIRCLE, 12:00-2:00 PM

Students will have the opportunity to ride pedal carts and play games while wearing “drunk goggles.” This activity is designed to inform students about alcohol impairment and discourage driving under the influence. Safe Spring Break tank tops will be given to participants. Student Health will be handing out free safety packs and sharing about how to avoid sexually transmitted infections, and the UCAPD will inform students of the legal consequences of drinking and driving. Staff from Sexual Assault Crisis Response, a division of the Conway Women’s Shelter, will be on hand to provide information and raise awareness about sexual assault.

“DON’T DRINK & DRIVE” PLEDGE – ALUMNI CIRCLE, 12:00-2:00 PM

Students can pledge that they will be responsible on Spring Break by not driving while intoxicated and using designated drivers.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

SAFE PASSAGE VIDEO – STUDENT CENTER 223/224, 1:40-2:30 PM

This video addresses safety concerns for students traveling over spring break. Topics include hotel security, avoiding scams, and increasing overall personal safety in a different environment.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed the week of March 1st through 7th as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas.

During Severe Weather Awareness Week the National Weather Service is asking people to think about what they would do and where they would go when severe weather threatens.

There will be a particular subject discussed each day.

Monday- Severe Thunderstorms
Tuesday- Methods of Receiving Severe Weather Information
Wednesday- Tornadoes
Thursday- Lightning
Friday- Flash Floods

FRIDAY – FLASH FLOODS

Please take some time to review our emergency procedures for severe weather and see the information below from the National Weather Service Little Rock office.

FLASH FLOODING IS USUALLY CAUSED BY VERY SLOW-MOVING THUNDERSTORMS…OR THUNDERSTORMS THAT REPEATEDLY MOVE OVER THE SAME AREAS.

URBAN SETTINGS ARE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO FLASH FLOODS DUE TO LARGE AMOUNTS OF CONCRETE AND ASPHALT SURFACES THAT DO NOT ALLOW WATER TO PENETRATE INTO THE SOIL.

PLACES SURROUNDED BY STEEP…HILLY TERRAIN ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLASH FLOODS DUE TO RAPID RUNOFF /WATER MOVING DOWNHILL AT ELEVATED SPEEDS/ INTO STREAMS AND CREEKS.

IN THE LAST 30 YEARS…FLASH FLOODING WAS THE DEADLIEST THUNDERSTORM HAZARD…AND CAUSED MORE FATALITIES THAN TORNADOES AND LIGHTNING. THERE ARE AN AVERAGE OF 90 FATALITIES ANNUALLY DUE TO FLASH FLOODS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ROUGHLY HALF OF FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED AREAS. MOVING WATER TWO FEET DEEP IS SUFFICIENT TO CARRY AWAY MOST VEHICLES…EVEN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.

IN ARKANSAS…MOST OF THE MAJOR FLASH FLOODS OCCUR AT NIGHT WHEN THE DANGER IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE. IN 2010… THE LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER ROSE MORE THAN 20 FEET DURING THE PREDAWN HOURS OF JUNE 11TH. THIS WAS AFTER MORE THAN HALF A FOOT OF RAIN. CAMPERS AT THE ALBERT PIKE RECREATION AREA /MONTGOMERY COUNTY/ WERE AWAKENED TO RAGING WATER…AND 20 PEOPLE DROWNED.

…FLASH FLOOD SAFETY RULES…

YOU SHOULD KNOW WHICH PLACES IN YOUR AREA ARE PRONE TO FLOODING…AND AVOID THESE PLACES IN TIMES OF RISING WATER.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS FLOWING STREAMS WHILE DRIVING OR ON FOOT.

IF FLOOD WATERS ARE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DESTINATION…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WANTS YOU TO REMEMBER A SIMPLE SLOGAN: TURN AROUND – DONT DROWN.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE VERY POPULAR IN ARKANSAS. IF YOU ENJOY CAMPING OR SIMILAR RECREATION…BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL IF YOU SPEND THE NIGHT NEAR STREAMS. A THUNDERSTORM MILES UPSTREAM FROM YOUR LOCATION COULD PRODUCE ENOUGH RAIN TO CAUSE FLOODING…EVEN IF IT IS NOT RAINING MUCH WHERE YOU ARE.

NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY AROUND HIGH WATER…STORM DRAINS…AND CULVERTS.

Information for the page provided by the National Weather Service.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed the week of March 1st through 7th as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas.

During Severe Weather Awareness Week the National Weather Service is asking people to think about what they would do and where they would go when severe weather threatens.

There will be a particular subject discussed each day.

Monday- Severe Thunderstorms
Tuesday- Methods of Receiving Severe Weather Information
Wednesday- Tornadoes
Thursday- Lightning
Friday- Flash Floods

THURSDAY – LIGHTNING

Please take some time to review our emergency procedures for severe weather and see the information below from the National Weather Service Little Rock office.

LIGHTNING IS A HAZARD IN ALL THUNDERSTORMS…WHETHER THEY ARE SEVERE OR NOT. IN THE LAST 30 YEARS…LIGHTNING WAS THE THIRD DEADLIEST THUNDERSTORM HAZARD BEHIND FLASH FLOODS AND TORNADOES. THERE ARE AN AVERAGE OF 50 FATALITIES A YEAR DUE TO LIGHTNING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN ARKANSAS IN 2014…LIGHTNING WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR 2 DEATHS AND 10 INJURIES.

MOST LIGHTNING DEATHS AND INJURIES OCCUR IN THE SUMMER /JUNE…JULY AND AUGUST/ WHEN PEOPLE ARE OUTDOORS.

IF A PERSON IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING…THAT PERSONS BODY WILL NOT RETAIN ANY ELECTRICAL CHARGE. THUS…THE INJURED PERSON CAN AND SHOULD BE CARED FOR IMMEDIATELY.

LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE AS MUCH AS 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM CLOUD. GIVEN THIS…IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT MOST LIGHTNING DEATHS OCCUR AS A THUNDERSTORM IS APPROACHING OR MOVING AWAY…AND NOT NECESSARILY OVERHEAD.

LIGHTNING TENDS TO STRIKE TALL OBJECTS. THE AIR IS A POOR CONDUCTOR OF ELECTRICITY…SO LIGHTNING WILL OFTEN GO THE SHORTEST DISTANCE TO MAKE A CONNECTION FROM CLOUD TO GROUND.

STATISTICS SHOW THAT ARKANSAS IS A TOP 10 STATE AS FAR AS LIGHTNING ACTIVITY. FROM 2004 THROUGH 2013…THE STATE WAS RANKED 6TH NATIONALLY FOR LIGHTNING STRIKES /MORE THAN 850000 CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING FLASHES PER YEAR/.

…SOME LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES…

REMEMBER…IT IS LIGHTNING THAT CAUSES THUNDER. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER…YOU ARE IN DANGER FROM LIGHTNING. GO INDOORS IMMEDIATELY.
A HARD-TOP CAR IS ALSO A SAFE PLACE. KEEP THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DO NOT TOUCH METAL INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

DO NOT TAKE SHELTER IN SMALL SHEDS OR UNDER ISOLATED TREES. STAY AWAY FROM HIGHER ELEVATIONS SPOTS SUCH AS HILLTOPS…AND AVOID NEARBY POLES AND TOWERS.

MOVE AWAY FROM CHAIN-LINK FENCES AND OTHER METAL FENCES SUCH AS THOSE AROUND BALLPARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.

MOTORCYCLES…SCOOTERS…BICYCLES…AND FARM TRACTORS ARE NOT SAFE PLACES.

IF YOU ARE IN THE WATER…GET OUT IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU ARE IN A BOAT…HEAD TOWARD SAFE HARBOR.

TELEPHONE LINES AND METAL PIPES CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY…SO DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES OR CORDED PHONES. COMPUTERS AND OTHER EXPENSIVE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MAY BE DAMAGED BY POWER SURGES. YOU MAY CONSIDER UNPLUGGING THESE ITEMS.

STAY OUT OF THE BATHTUB OR SHOWER.

GET OFF THE GOLF COURSE.

Information for the page provided by the National Weather Service.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed the week of March 1^st through 7^th as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas.

During Severe Weather Awareness Week the National Weather Service is asking people to think about what they would do and where they would go when severe weather threatens.

There will be a particular subject discussed each day.

• Monday- Severe Thunderstorms
• Tuesday- Methods of Receiving Severe Weather Information
• Wednesday- Tornadoes
• Thursday- Lightning
• Friday- Flash Floods

WEDNESDAY – TORNADOES

Please take some time to review our emergency procedures for severe weather and see the information below from the National Weather Service Little Rock office.

IN 2014…ARKANSAS RECORDED ONLY 20 TORNADOES. IN AN AVERAGE YEAR…33 TORNADOES ARE EXPECTED IN THE STATE.

BY FAR…THE BIGGEST EVENT FEATURING A TORNADO UNFOLDED ON APRIL 27TH. A MONSTER TORNADO /RATED EF4/ TRACKED 41 MILES THOUGH PULASKI…FAULKNER AND WHITE COUNTIES…AND KILLED 16 PEOPLE. IT WAS THE DEADLIEST TORNADO IN ARKANSAS SINCE THE JONESBORO TWISTER OF MAY 15TH OF 1968 /35 FATALITIES/. IT WAS ALSO THE DEADLIEST TORNADO IN THE COUNTRY LAST YEAR.

 MONSTER TORNADOES LIKE THIS ARE RARE. SINCE 2000 ACROSS THE REGION…ONLY 2 OTHER TORNADOES RATED AS HIGH AS THE ONE ON APRIL 27TH. IN THE SAME TIME FRAME…624 TORNADOES WERE SPAWNED LOCALLY…AND 82 PERCENT OF THEM /513 TORNADOES/ WERE WEAK /RATED EF0 OR EF1/. THESE WEAK TWISTERS ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 3 FATALITIES.

THE PEAK SEASONS FOR TORNADOES IN ARKANSAS ARE SPRING AND FALL. THIS IS WHEN WARM AND COLD AIR MASSES COLLIDE MOST OFTEN. IN 2014…OF THE 20 TORNADOES COUNTED…THERE WERE 10 IN OCTOBER AND 6 IN APRIL.

…OUTDOOR TORNADO SIRENS…

MANY TOWNS AND COUNTIES IN ARKANSAS HAVE ACQUIRED OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS TO ALERT THE PUBLIC WHEN TORNADOES THREATEN. WHEN THESE SIRENS ARE KEPT IN PROPER WORKING ORDER…THEY DO THEIR JOB AS EXPECTED AND HELP WARN THE PUBLIC.

WHILE TORNADO WARNINGS OFTEN CAUSE THE SIRENS TO BLOW…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THE SIRENS.

IN LITTLE ROCK…NORTH LITTLE ROCK…AND PULASKI COUNTY…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS AN ADVISORY ROLE AS TO WHEN THE SIRENS SHOULD BE SOUNDED…BUT THIS DOES NOT PREVENT THESE JURISDICTIONS FROM BLOWING THEIR SIRENS IF THEY DEEM IT NECESSARY. ELSEWHERE IN ARKANSAS…THE DECISION TO BLOW THE SIRENS IS MADE BY DESIGNATED CITY OR COUNTY OFFICIALS.

…WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF – TORNADO SAFETY RULES…

ONE OF THE NEWER SAFETY RULES IS TO AVOID TAKING SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS. ROTATING WINDS SURROUNDING A TORNADO CAN HIT YOU WITH A LOT OF DEBRIS…AND BLOW YOU OUT FROM BENEATH THE BRIDGE.

BE SURE YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATCH AND A WARNING. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES A TORNADO WATCH WHEN TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE. A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN A TORNADO HAS BEEN INDICATED ON DOPPLER WEATHER RADAR OR HAS BEEN SIGHTED.

COUNTIES AND CITIES ARE MENTIONED IN TORNADO WARNINGS. IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE AREA…KEEP A MAP HANDY FOR REFERENCE.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A RELIABLE WAY TO RECEIVE WEATHER INFORMATION. BATTERY-POWERED NOAA WEATHER RADIOS ARE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO KEEP UP WITH THE WEATHER…EVEN IF YOUR POWER HAS GONE OUT.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE AT A LARGE GATHERING…SUCH AS AT A SCHOOL…STADIUM OR PLACE OF WORSHIP…MAKE SURE THAT SOMEONE IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THE WEATHER.

A TORNADO SHELTER…TORNADO CELLAR…OR A SAFE ROOM IS THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE…BUT THESE ARE NOT FOUND IN MOST HOMES. THE NEXT SAFEST PLACE IS USUALLY A BASEMENT…BUT THESE ARE NOT COMMON IN ARKANSAS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THESE…GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A HOUSE OR BUILDING. PUT AS MANY WALLS BETWEEN YOU AND THE OUTDOORS AS POSSIBLE.

MANY BUSINESSES…SUCH AS LARGE STORES…SHOPPING MALLS…HOSPITALS…NURSING HOMES…AND SCHOOLS HAVE PRE-ARRANGED SAFETY PLANS AND DESIGNATED SAFE AREAS. IF YOU ARE IN ONE OF THESE PLACES…FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN INSIDE THESE BUILDINGS.

IF YOU ARE IN A VEHICLE…YOUR BEST OPTION IS TO MOVE TO A STURDY BUILDING.

MOBILE HOMES…EVEN IF TIED DOWN…OFFER LITTLE PROTECTION DURING A TORNADO…AND SHOULD BE ABANDONED.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THE ELDERLY…THE VERY YOUNG…AND PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CHALLENGES WILL OFTEN NEED MORE TIME TO GET TO SAFETY. MAKE SPECIAL PROVISIONS IF YOU ARE A CARE-GIVER FOR THESE PEOPLE.

Information for the page provided by the National Weather Service.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affected 7.5 million victims in one year. Stalking is a crime in all 50 states. Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression at much higher rates that the general population, and many lose time from work and school as a result of their victimization. Understanding what stalking is and what can be done about it is critical in combating this crime. The UCAPD will offer social media postings to promote awareness about stalking throughout the month of January.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STALKING

The UCA Police Department would like to welcome everyone to the Spring 2015 Semester! Safety and security is the responsibility of everyone. We depend on each and every member of the university community to take an active role in maintaining our excellent quality of life on campus by following a few simple precautions.

• When you leave your apartment or your room, lock your door and windows.
• Do not leave personal items of value unattended.
• Pay attention to your surroundings; avoid distractions. Immediately report any suspicious activity to the UCA Police Department. When in doubt, call 9-1-1 for all emergencies or 501-450-3111 for non-emergency police services.
•  Use the “buddy system” and look out for each other. Safety escorts are available to and from any campus location. To use this service, call 501-450-3111.
• Remember to lock your car and secure all valuables out of sight. If you have security devices for your vehicle, i.e. alarm or vehicle immobilizer, use them.
• To obtain police, fire, or medical emergency services, dial 9-1-1 from your cell phone and any campus phone, or activate any “Blue Light” Emergency Phone. Our 24-hour non-emergency phone number is 501-450-3111.
• The UCA Police Department is located at the intersection of W.J. Sowder & Marion Ross Avenue, between Estes Stadium and Christian Cafeteria. Our lobby is open 24/7.
• We take pride in delivering superior law enforcement services to the campus community and look forward to a successful and productive year!

CLICK HERE FOR CRIME PREVENTION TIPS