SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Police Department kicked off its pilot program to do a parking study of the St. Mary’s strip in hopes of alleviating unwanted parking and trash on residential streets Thursday.
Three nights into the trial run and it’s biggest test yet was Friday and Saturday. So, how’d it do?
“They were moving them or they would go around them and got on top of the sidewalks and go around them,” said Joe Barrera, a longtime resident in the area.
“We’ve seen a lot quieter streets. It’s been a lot calmer and I think we’ve seen improvements there, but it pushed out further into the neighborhood,” said Parker Dixon, president of the Tobin Hills Community Association.
Authorities placed barricades on side streets Thursday and continued through Sunday. The barricades were up from 7 p.m.-2 a.m.. Bargoers we spoke with weren’t happy about the temporary changes.
“If you live down the street from all this area… it’s kind of what you bought into and maybe if you’ve been here for a long time, I’m sorry it’s changed,” said Hope Hernandez, who was hanging out at Slackers Sports Bar.
Dixon said he doesn’t want to request any other changes in the area until after the parking study is complete. As for if the barricades will be a one weekend trial or a temporary fix is ultimately up to SAPD.
We haven’t yet heard if SAPD has made its decision on keeping or removing the barricades. However, the department issued this statement to KSAT:
“The barricades in the St. Mary’s strip have kept bar patrons out of the residential areas. Officers have continued to patrol the business district with success in keeping the barricades in place during the impacted hours.”