Hate crime committed on campus

University Police sent a timely warning regarding a written hate crime against the African-American community in a men’s restroom on the Brownsville campus Wednesday night.

“It happened at the men’s restroom on the second floor at the library on the Brownsville campus,” University Police Chief Raul Munguia said earlier today. “We were notified of that incident, so we took the report. … It being inside a bathroom, we don’t put cameras in bathrooms.”

The writing, which is being considered a hate crime (criminal mischief), has been removed.

“So, at this point, it was just a very short phrase but … I don’t want to get to what it actually said,” Munguia said. “This thing is an open investigation.”

In the timely warning, University Police provided general safety tips:

— be aware of your surroundings;

— report crimes immediately when they occur;

— if possible, don’t walk alone during late-night hours. Walk in groups whenever you can–there is always safety in numbers;

— stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas and other shortcuts or secluded areas. They are usually not well-lit or heavily traveled;

— walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. Avoid bushes, and other potential hiding places;

— and report any suspicious activity or person immediately to the UTRGV Police Department. In case of an emergency, dial 911.