AUSTIN, TX - Late last week, Austin police reported they arrested 19 people after investigating multiple "trouble spots" in north Austin.
In a major crackdown on crime, officers targeted areas known for open drug activity, many of which are near schools and playgrounds, CBS Austin reported. The Austin Police Department (APD) said the goal of the operation was to make neighborhoods safer by shutting down criminal activity.
"I feel like APD should keep doing more of this to keep the people safe," said Brian Galvan, whose brother attends Webb Middle School. "It feels like there already kind of is a drug problem," said Hudson Lemon, who gets dropped off from the school bus at the middle school.
Police made 19 arrests during a two-month investigation that focused on seven high-crime areas in north Austin, six of which have been designated as Drug-Free Zones (DFZ). "Historically, these locations have been linked to offenses such as assaults, thefts, robberies, and weapon-related offenses," said Detective Shawn Green of the APD North Metro Tactical Unit.
Police released the mugshots of those arrested between September 10-17. Most individuals are facing charges for selling drugs near a school or playground, while others have been charged with possession, tampering with evidence, aggravated robbery, and unlawful carrying of a firearm.
"This work happens all day throughout the city, every day," Green added. Two arrests were made near the middle school, one for selling drugs and the other for aggravated robbery. "Do it somewhere else," Hudson Lemon said. When asked how the department is ensuring the operations will lead to long-term solutions, Green said, "It's a tricky part of the puzzle. What we've been doing is going out there to make those arrests, identify the key players, and try to work our way towards other suppliers."
Green also explained that drugs operate like an economy, with people buying them where they feel comfortable. "You're seeing a number of cut-up prepared rocks of crack cocaine; we had some methamphetamine that we seized," he said. Green said that the department will continue going after the main offenders to help neighborhoods feel safer.
"Drug deals, I've been seeing guns, you know, like different stuff around the area that shouldn't be in this area," Galvan said. APD reminded families to stay vigilant, teach their children about the buddy system, and to keep an eye on people wandering around their neighborhoods.
In a major crackdown on crime, officers targeted areas known for open drug activity, many of which are near schools and playgrounds, CBS Austin reported. The Austin Police Department (APD) said the goal of the operation was to make neighborhoods safer by shutting down criminal activity.
"I feel like APD should keep doing more of this to keep the people safe," said Brian Galvan, whose brother attends Webb Middle School. "It feels like there already kind of is a drug problem," said Hudson Lemon, who gets dropped off from the school bus at the middle school.
Police made 19 arrests during a two-month investigation that focused on seven high-crime areas in north Austin, six of which have been designated as Drug-Free Zones (DFZ). "Historically, these locations have been linked to offenses such as assaults, thefts, robberies, and weapon-related offenses," said Detective Shawn Green of the APD North Metro Tactical Unit.
Police released the mugshots of those arrested between September 10-17. Most individuals are facing charges for selling drugs near a school or playground, while others have been charged with possession, tampering with evidence, aggravated robbery, and unlawful carrying of a firearm.
"This work happens all day throughout the city, every day," Green added. Two arrests were made near the middle school, one for selling drugs and the other for aggravated robbery. "Do it somewhere else," Hudson Lemon said. When asked how the department is ensuring the operations will lead to long-term solutions, Green said, "It's a tricky part of the puzzle. What we've been doing is going out there to make those arrests, identify the key players, and try to work our way towards other suppliers."
Green also explained that drugs operate like an economy, with people buying them where they feel comfortable. "You're seeing a number of cut-up prepared rocks of crack cocaine; we had some methamphetamine that we seized," he said. Green said that the department will continue going after the main offenders to help neighborhoods feel safer.
"Drug deals, I've been seeing guns, you know, like different stuff around the area that shouldn't be in this area," Galvan said. APD reminded families to stay vigilant, teach their children about the buddy system, and to keep an eye on people wandering around their neighborhoods.
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Comments
2025-09-30T19:13-0400 | Comment by: James
Time for the Death Penalty for these thugs!