This is a crime wrap-up from March 14 to 18. Criminal mischief On March 14, a female staff member reported finding urine and fecal matter in a stairwell, UTA Police Capt. Mike McCord said in an email. Criminal mischief with under $100 in pecuniary loss is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $500. Criminal trespass On March 17, officers attempted to make contact with an unaffiliated female trespassing on UTA property, McCord said. The female fled from officers but was apprehended, arrested and transported to the Arlington Police Department jail. If the offender has not been previously convicted of trespassing on higher education property, the offense is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $500. If the offender has been previously convicted, the offense is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $4,000, up to one year in jail or both. Evading arrest or detention is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $4,000, up to one year in jail or both. Burglary of vehicle On March 17, a male student and female student reported the burglary of a vehicle, McCord said. Each had property taken from the same vehicle. Burglary of a vehicle is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $4,000, up to one year in jail or both. The case is still active. Public intoxication On March 17, officers made contact with an unaffiliated female who was intoxicated, McCord said. She was released to an adult relative. Public intoxication is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $500. Threat to publish intimate visual On March 18, a male student reported receiving concerning messages from an unknown person, McCord said. Unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material is a state jail felony and punishable by confinement in a state jail between 180 days to two years. Perpetrators may also receive a fine not exceeding $10,000. This case is still active. @PMalkomes news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

With measles cases rising across Texas and the U.S., students should ensure their vaccinations are up to date to help combat the highly contagious respiratory virus. Measles can spread through coughing and sneezing, lingering in the air for up to two hours. Most people who are infected can recover, but the virus may lead to pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death. As of March 18, Texas Health and Human Services reports 279 cases in the state since late January, with 36 being hospitalized. One of the cases led to the death of an unvaccinated school-aged child with no known underlying health conditions. UTA Health Services, local pharmacies and health centers offer the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine and can confirm someone’s vaccination status using the MMR titer blood test. Those under the UT Student Health Insurance Plan, UT SHIP, can get the vaccine and blood tests for free through UTA Health Services. To schedule an appointment, call 817-272-2771. UTA is currently reducing the MMR titer’s cost to $10 for students without UT SHIP. Health Services director Angela Middleton said students without the plan can get their vaccines for free through local pharmacies like CVS. Tarrant County Public Health and the Texas Health and Human Services Adult Safety Net also provide vaccinations. Individuals who attended U.S. public schools without vaccine exemptions should already be vaccinated, and people born before 1957 are considered naturally immune, according to THHS. College-aged students who have not been vaccinated should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart. The first dose provides 93% protection and the second provides 97%. The injection may cause mild side effects like redness, rashing, soreness or fever, Middleton said. She said the vaccine is live attenuated, using a weakened form of the virus, meaning those who have a severe allergy to ingredients like neomycin, are pregnant or plan to be within two months of vaccination, or are immunocompromised cannot get the MMR vaccine. With how susceptible unvaccinated individuals are to contracting measles, Middleton said she encourages everyone to get the shot. “Measles is probably the most contagious virus that we have, so if you have not had the vaccine and you are around somebody that has the virus and is currently infectious, or even are in a room where somebody that had the virus was, within the last two hours, you can contract the virus,” she said. @PMalkomes news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu