SAN ANTONIO — The community of Collins Garden Elementary School is worried about the safety of its students as drivers make a habit of speeding down the roadway just steps from the school.
Parents, along with a concerned citizen, told KENS 5 that drivers are traveling above posted speeds along the Highway 90 frontage road in front of the school, putting their kids in danger.
“A lot of people are in a hurry for no good reason. They’re always flying through the neighborhood,” said parent Tony Medrano.
Parents said that while students are traveling the streets around the school, nearby cars are speeding down the roads, ignoring posted school zone speed limit signs.
“It happens all the time and the kids are in danger,” said grandparent Isabel Burciaga.
Gus Cantu doesn’t have children that attend Collins Garden, but he’s lived in the neighborhood for years and said the speeding is a problem that's only growing more severe.
“I’ve seen kids, moms with several children walking down the street with idiots driving like 60 miles per hour,” he said.
Cantu said he’s seen two wrecks over just the last few months right down the street from the school. He’s taken his concerns to San Antonio Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, but said he hasn’t seen any changes yet.
KENS5 reached out to Gonzales, who replied with this statement:
"Safety in the Collins Garden area is a major concern for me. The school is surrounded by a park and a library, and children are a constant presence. My office will look into bringing the Collins Garden neighborhood association together with SAISD representatives, and SAPD officials to find the best solution to our citizens’ concerns."
But, Cantu said more immediate action needs to be taken.
“My concern is the kids. I don’t want to see any of them get hurt,” he said.
Parents also say they wish more officers would patrol the area to issue citations to drivers going over the speed limit.
San Antonio police said that if parents would like to request more officers, they can contact their community San Antonio Fear Free Environment, or SAFFE Unit.