UTC-ALERT: Timely Warning – Assault and Aggravated Criminal Trespassing
This is a Timely Warning regarding crimes that were reported to have occurred on University-owned, controlled, or adjacent property.
The UTC Police Department (UTCPD) has received several reports regarding alleged criminal conduct by a former member of the UTC community:
On Monday, April 14, 2025, a student reported that an individual was found in the laundry room of Lockmiller Apartments (720 Oak Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403) without permission. The student reported that the individual, later identified as the accused, inappropriately touched her during that time.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, UTC staff reported that the accused had entered the University Center (651 Vine Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403) and visited one or more offices during business hours the prior week (April 8, 2025 or April 9, 2025). The accused was previously trespassed from University-owned and controlled property in April 2024.
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, a student reported that on the evening of Wednesday, April 16, 2025, while working in the UTC Library (600 Douglas Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403), they observed an individual, later identified as the accused, taking potentially inappropriate photos of females.
The accused has been identified as Mr. Gabriel Montesinos Corzo, 28, of Chattanooga, TN. UTCPD took Mr. Montesinos Corzo into custody today, April 17, 2025, without incident. He has been charged with Assault (T.C.A. § 39-13-101) and Aggravated Criminal Trespassing (T.C.A. § 39-14-406) in connection with the incidents reported to UTCPD. Mr. Montesinos Corzo was also arrested on a warrant for Assault (T.C.A. § 39-13-101) related to an incident reported to the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD).
If you have any information about the incidents mentioned above, please call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.
If you see Mr. Montesinos Corzo on UTC property, immediately call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357 or 911.
NOTE: The allegations and charges are accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
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 of how to access University and community resources.
Safety Tips:
General
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), even if you are not directly threatened, 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.
Office of the Dean of Students: (423) 425-4761
Office of Student Outreach & Support: (423) 425-2299.
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.
Message issued on 4/17/2025 at 5:00 PM
Public Safety Advisory: Weather for 3/30/25 – 3/31/25
UTC Community:
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area. Isolated storms are possible this evening (3/30/2025), with a line of strong to severe storms moving into the area late tonight through Monday morning (3/31/2025). The greatest threat will be on Monday morning between 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM with the potential for damaging winds and large hail.
The Department of Public Safety is actively monitoring conditions with City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and State of Tennessee first-responder agencies.
For more information or to view current weather conditions, visit weather.gov.
Personal Safety Please be weather-aware and take appropriate precautions during this inclement weather.
Students who are unable to make it to campus safely due to local road conditions should inform their course instructors as soon as possible and seek reasonable accommodations. Students will be expected to complete all work within the limits set by their faculty member.
Faculty members who are unable to make it to campus safely due to local road conditions should work with their Department Head/School Director as described by the UTC Faculty Handbook.
Staff members who are unable to make it to campus safely due to local road conditions should contact their supervisor.
Updates Updates will be shared via the UTC-ALERT system. For more information, visit utc.edu/UTC-ALERT.
Message issued on 3/30/2025 at 2:00 PM
DPS to host R.A.D. Training
UTC Community:
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) offers Community Safety Trainings throughout the academic year to educate and prepare community members on how to keep themselves and others safe.
On April 14-15, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM, DPS will offer R.A.D. Self-defense training. R.A.D. Systems curriculum takes a “holistic approach to self-defense education by supporting the necessity of continuous learning in order to provide realistic options”. This course is taught by UTC Public Safety personnel through lecture, discussion, and physical resistive strategies training.
To sign up for R.A.D. Self-defense training, e-mail dps@utc.edu.
An area of light to moderately dense smoke has been observed around the Chattanooga area. This smoke is the result of current and previous wildfires in Tennessee and Georgia.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, using data collected from the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, currently report the air quality in Chattanooga as “moderate.” While a moderate air quality level is considered acceptable, it may pose a risk to individuals with health-related concerns.
Consider the following safety tips:
When outdoors, take it easy during smoky times to reduce the amount of smoke you inhale, and avoid strenuous activities such as running.
If you have health-related concerns:
Stay inside with the doors and windows closed.
Use a portable air cleaner to reduce indoor air pollution.
Avoid contributing to indoor air pollution by burning candles, frying food, etc.
Message issued on 3/27/2025 at 6:00 PM
Public Safety Advisory: Limited Access to Pedestrian Walkway between UTC Library and Mac Gym
UTC Community:
The Department of Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) has advised that the pedestrian walkway between the UTC Library and Maclellan Gymnasium (nearest the intersection of Vine Street and Douglas Street) will be temporarily limited. This is due to planned roofing repairs to Maclellan Gymnasium and unscheduled emergency repairs to the campus hot water system at this location. The areas have been partitioned with fencing, barricades, and caution tape. FPM hopes to reopen a portion of this area on or after April 7, 2025.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Facilities Planning and Management at (423) 425-2254.
