Pubdate: Fri, 01 Jun 2001
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32
Author: Jonathan Osborne

EAST SIXTH BUSINESSES ARE FED UP OVER DRUGS

There's a growing hue and cry among merchants and downtown business
owners along Waller Creek and Sixth Street: Get rid of the "crack
cabana."

Police don't deny the stretch of East Sixth between Red River Street and
Interstate 35 is overrun with drug dealers. They said they've been
trying to do something about it, they're still trying, and they're on
the verge of unveiling a new plan of attack next week. But business
owners such as Carl Daywood -- who says he's fed up with excuses -- just
want the drug dealers gone.

"This is the worst I've ever seen it," said Daywood, who owns a real
estate company on Sixth and Sabine streets. "I want the problem
resolved, and I want it resolved fast, because it's hurting us down
here."

Charlie Betts, executive director of the Downtown Austin Alliance,
personally asked the police department on Wednesday to crack down on the
crack dealers. But it's a request, he said, the alliance has made many
times before.

"I don't know how it should be controlled, but we're asking the (Austin
Police Department) to do it," Betts said. "The neighbors there deserve
protection. They shouldn't have to witness drug deals going on all
afternoon."

Assistant Police Chief Rick Coy said the area, about a block from police
headquarters, is a difficult one to clean up overnight. But he also said
some of the business owner's complaints may be exaggerated.

"I don't see the same thing they're seeing," Coy said. "If I walk
through there and I see a problem, I'm going to have it dealt with. The
times I go through there, I don't see what they're talking about."

His department's statistics show plenty of arrests in the area. By
mid-May, Austin police had arrested at least 66 people this year on
narcotics dealing charges and 143 on charges of possession. In February,
one undercover operation yielded 37 drug-crime arrests.

Alan Somers, chef at the upscale Kaya Blue restaurant on the corner of
Sixth and Sabine streets, said the problem is real. He's gotten used to
his unwelcome neighbors -- but the clientele he's trying to attract has
not. "We have had scared customers," he said. "I've even heard comments
from delivery men dropping stuff off."

Somers has dubbed the shaded area in front of the Waller building, where
he parks his car, the "crack cabana."

"I can't walk from work to my car, which is half a block, without
somebody offering me something or saying, 'What do you need?' " Somers
said. "What I would like to say is, 'No. I would like to walk from my
work to my car without someone trying to sell me drugs.' "
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