Pubdate: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 Source: Modesto Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2001 The Modesto Bee Contact: http://www.modbee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/271 SCHOOL PARKING LOT NO PLACE FOR POLICE DRUG WAR Mercifully, no children were harmed Tuesday when a San Joaquin County drug agent shot at a suspected drug dealer in the parking lot of Osborn School in Turlock. It started when another undercover officer saw the suspected dealer, whom he had been trying to make a deal with, in the parking lot. The man waved the officer in. And in he went, not realizing it was a school parking lot. That doesn't say much for the officer's ability to recognize the ubiquitous temporary buildings that dot so many school campuses. It's a lesson in opening your eyes to your surroundings, in thinking one step beyond the immediate. Had he realized it was a school, he wouldn't have gotten out of his car and begun the always dangerous situation of trying to make a buy. That's when the dealer tried to rob him and when the officer providing backup, who had followed in another car, started shooting at the suspected dealer. Fortunately, the suspect dropped his gun and ran, along with a companion. One was caught immediately, the other not until more than an hour later. School administrators reacted quickly, making sure children were locked in their classrooms and told to take shelter under their desks. The administrators and teachers are to be commended for acting swiftly and effectively to keep the children out of harm's way while the manhunt went on around the school. This time it was a bad scare, but no one was hurt. Let's hope there isn't a next time, which law enforcement officers can help prevent by being alert to their surroundings even while closing in on their prey. - --- MAP posted-by: Rebel