APD: Drug dealers targeting school area

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An East Austin elementary school is plagued by drug activity, according to police.

Austin police arrested three different people within 30 minutes on Monday morning for trying to buy or sell crack cocaine near Sims Elementary School.

The Austin Independent School District has set up a locked chain-link fence that goes all the way around the school. There is only one entrance, which goes directly to the principal's office. Still, some said that is not enough to keep the crack cocaine away from the school and the kids.

Police said they have made 30 drug-related arrests within 1,000 feet of the school in the last two months.

"It's one of our open air drug markets," said Sergeant Robert Jones with Austin Police Department. "We've observed numerous drug transactions. From that, we have other related crimes."

The security measures draw mixed reactions from parents, who said that while they hate to make their children feel like they're in a cage - they need the protection.

"It probably makes the kids feel like they are in prison," said Amber Sides, parent. However, Sides would like to see the fence even higher to protect the elementary school students. "In this neighborhood, yeah I would."

For Sims Elementary School parents, the fence offers a little peace of mind.

"It makes me feel a lot better," said Sims parent, Raymond Cathey. "If you notice those doors are closed and to get through you have to buzz into the school."

Those who live near the school said there have been several crack addicts hanging around at bus stops near the school for years and the increased police patrols have only made a dent.

"It's their choice of drugs they aren't going to stop doing it and the police can't stop them," said Sharnice Owens.

Raymond Cathey said ultimately the responsibility of making sure his 8-year-old son is safe from crack dealers falls on him and he will not let him walk where temptation lurks.

"I take my children to school my wife pick my children up we don't play with that at all," said Cathey.

Neither the principal or assistant principal at Sims Elementary School were available for comment on Wednesday, but they did say that they have not seen any suspicious people around the school during school hours. Adding that most of the arrests take place during the wee hours of the morning. Meanwhile, Sergeant Jones said the arrests happen at all times on the day.

Jimmy Tucker, 37, was arrested on Monday after police saw him parked near the school. When police approached his car, they said they could smell marijuana. When they searched Tucker, they said they found several crack cocaine rocks.

Curtis Williams, 17, was also arrested Monday near the school. Police said Williams admitted he was there to buy crack cocaine. When they searched Williams, they said they found several crack cocaine rocks hidden in his buttocks.