September 11 marks the anniversary of one of the most horrific days in American history. The terrorist attacks drastically altered daily norms for many Americans and made increased vigilance a way of life.
At UT, the best opportunity we have to prevent violence on campus is to encourage Volunteers to pay attention to their surroundings and reach out to law enforcement when they observe suspicious activity.
If you see something that doesn’t feel right, say something by reporting it. Trust your instincts and share information that seems suspicious or just out of place. Call the UT Police Department or text a tip using the campus safety app.
Some indicators to look for:
- Individuals in places they don’t belong, acting suspiciously, avoiding eye contact, or departing quickly when seen or approached
- People loitering for no apparent reason
- Someone overdressed for the type of weather
- Someone expressing an unusual interest and asking probing questions
- A strong odor coming from a bag or vehicle
- A vehicle that appears overloaded or has a fluid leak that doesn’t seem to be from the engine or gas tank
If you are concerned about the behavior of someone you know, call 865-974-HELP (4357) for students or 865-946-CARE (2273) for faculty and staff. These resources provide UT community members with the assistance they need in times of crisis.