UTC Community: 

The Department of Public Safety has been alerted of two incidents which occurred on or adjacent to University property over the past 24 hours. There was no immediate danger to the University community. This information is provided to allow community members to be situationally aware, make educated decisions about their personal safety, and be reminded on how to access University and community resources.  

• On November 14, 2024 at approximately 4:30 PM, the UTC Police Communications Center received a report of a disorder which had occurred at the UTC Library on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at approximately 11:30 PM. UTC Police Department (UTCPD) responded and investigated the incident. Officers found that a verbal altercation had occurred between a staff member of a contract cleaning service and family members of another contract staff member. During the verbal altercation, a knife was displayed. The victims declined to prosecute. Due to the delay in reporting and the facts of the case, a Timely Warning was not sent. The suspect was trespassed from University property by the UTCPD and the knife confiscated. 
• On November 15, 2024 at approximately 1:30 AM, the UTC Police Communications Center received a report of a fight occurring outside of the Stophel Apartments parking garage (818 University Street). UTC Police Department (UTCPD) officers immediately responded, finding the altercation was no longer in progress. Officers spoke with individuals involved in the altercation, as well as witnesses. Investigators determined that a firearm was present during the incident; a firearm was located inside of the vehicle of one of the parties involved in the incident. All individuals involved in the altercation were determined to be unaffiliated with the University. The victim had been a guest of a UTC student. The victim declined to prosecute. As there was no imminent or ongoing threat to the University community, a Timely Warning was not sent. The UTCPD has trespassed all unaffiliated persons involved in the incident from University property. 

The Department of Public Safety encourages all members of the community to be alert and aware of their surroundings, both on and off-campus. Report all suspicious activity and emergency situations to the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357 or 911.

Safety Tips: 

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Follow your instincts. Safety is the priority.
• If you feel you are in danger, take action. Move away from the threat, cross the street, increase your pace, or run to safety.
• Report all suspicious activity (persons, vehicles, and activities) to the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.
• If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, we encourage you to report the incident as soon as possible. This allows for appropriate measures to be taken for your safety and the safety of others. 

Reporting & Resources:

• Report a crime on-campus 
  • From any cellular or off-campus telephone, call (423) 425-HELP/4357.
  • From any on-campus telephone, dial 911.
  • Press the “HELP” button at any Blue Light Call Box or Emergency Call Box.
• Report a crime off-campus 
  • From any telephone, dial 911. 
• UTC Resources
  • UTCares: (423) 425-CARE/2273.
  • Counseling Center: (423) 425-4438.
  • Student Outreach & Support: (423) 425-2299.
  • Survivor Advocacy Services: (423) 425-5648.
  • Title IX Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: (423) 425-4255. 
• Chattanooga / Hamilton County Resources
  • Chattanooga Police Department – Victim Services: (423) 643-5351.
  • District Attorney’s Office for the 11th Judicial District – Victim/Witness Coordinator: (423) 209-7400.
  • Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults – Rape Crisis Center: (423) 755-2700.

Update to the UTC-ALERT: Timely Warning sent on November 4, 2024. 

On Saturday, November 2, 2024, the UTC Police Department (UTCPD) received a report of an alleged aggravated assault, robbery, and fondling incident that began off-campus and ended in UTC Parking Lot #62. A Timely Warning was sent to alert the UTC community. After a thorough investigation by the UTCPD, it was determined that the reported crimes did not occur. As a result, the case has been unfounded.

The Department of Public Safety continues to encourage all members of the community to be alert and aware of their surroundings, both on and off-campus. Report all suspicious activity and emergency situations to the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.

About UTC-ALERT: Timely Warnings 

Timely Warnings are issued by the UTC Department of Public Safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S. Code § 1092; 34 CFR 668.46e). The University takes its duty to protect the community seriously. Informing the UTC community regarding reported crimes allows community members to be situationally aware, make educated decisions about their personal safety, and be reminded on how to access University and community resources.  

This is a Timely Warning regarding a crime that was reported to have occurred on University-owned, controlled, or adjacent property. 

On Saturday, November 2, 2024, the UTC Police Department received a report of an alleged aggravated assault, robbery, and fondling incident that began off-campus and ended in UTC Parking Lot #62 (846 Mabel Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403) on November 2, 2024 in the afternoon. 

The non-student victim reported that she had gotten into the vehicle of an unknown male near the 1600 block of East 3rd Street. While in the vehicle, the suspect choked the victim, stole the victim’s backpack, and fondled the victim. 

The suspect was described as an african-american male in his 20’s with bushy eyebrows, a thin mustache with a goatee, and a tattoo on his hand and neck. The suspect’s vehicle was described as a tan Nissan SUV with a temporary license plate. 

If you have any information about this incident, please call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.

About UTC-ALERT: Timely Warnings 

Timely Warnings are issued by the UTC Department of Public Safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S. Code § 1092; 34 CFR 668.46e). The University takes its duty to protect the community seriously. Informing the UTC community regarding reported crimes allows community members to be situationally aware, make educated decisions about their personal safety, and be reminded on how to access University and community resources.  

Safety Tips: 

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Follow your instincts. Safety is the priority.
• If you feel you are in danger, take action. Move away from the threat, cross the street, increase your pace, or run to safety.
• Report all suspicious activity (persons, vehicles, and activities) to the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.
• If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, we encourage you to report the incident as soon as possible. This allows for appropriate measures to be taken for your safety and the safety of others. 

Reporting & Resources:

• Report a crime on-campus 
  • From any cellular or off-campus telephone, call (423) 425-HELP/4357.
  • From any on-campus telephone, dial 911.
  • Press the “HELP” button at any Blue Light Call Box or Emergency Call Box.
• Report a crime off-campus 
  • From any telephone, dial 911. 
• UTC Resources
  • UTCares: (423) 425-CARE/2273.
  • Counseling Center: (423) 425-4438.
  • Student Outreach & Support: (423) 425-2299.
  • Survivor Advocacy Services: (423) 425-5648.
  • Title IX Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: (423) 425-4255. 
• Chattanooga / Hamilton County Resources
  • Chattanooga Police Department – Victim Services: (423) 643-5351.
  • District Attorney’s Office for the 11th Judicial District – Victim/Witness Coordinator: (423) 209-7400.
  • Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults – Rape Crisis Center: (423) 755-2700.

UTC Community:

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals will hold Oral Arguments for three cases at the UTC Library’s Roth Reading Room. Members of the UTC community and the general public are invited to attend in person or via live stream. Cases will be heard at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. 

Please be advised that the fourth floor of the UTC Library will be closed, except for the Court and related activities, until 3:00 PM on 10/23/2024. Additionally, the UTC Library and surrounding area will have a heightened law enforcement presence and the use of screening devices (e.g., Metal Detectors) for entry to the fourth floor.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (423) 425-4357 or dps@utc.edu.  

UTC Community:

A reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM, the Department of Public Safety will conduct a TEST of the University’s emergency alerting system, UTC-ALERT. This will include alerts via text message, the SafeMocs app, email, electronic displays, emergency beacons, the UTC website, UTC-owned computers, Canvas, and social media.