North Austin Crossing Guard Fired For Drinking Alcohol

AUSTIN, TEXAS — A crossing guard at a North Austin elementary school was fired Thursday after he was spotted drinking before starting his shift, according to reports.

The guard was working at Casis Elementary, 2710 Exposition Blvd., when a call was made to police reporting him for drinking before starting his job, KXAN reported. An Austin ISD spokesperson confirmed the report when contacted by the news station.

"Earlier today our department was notified that a crossing guard employee was observed drinking alcohol directly prior to being on-duty," Austin Public Works Public Affairs Manager Kyle Carvell said in a prepared statement. "Our staff immediately responded to the location where this was observed to gather additional information and to ensure the safety of students and pedestrians. The employee in question has since been relieved of his duties pending a full investigation into the matter."

Police detained the crossing guard for more than an hour in a patrol car on the Casis campus before driving him home, the station reported. The man was not arrested.

Austin ISD officials declined to release the crossing guard's name, employment history or details from any disciplinary file. Crossing guards working for the district undergo a criminal background investigation before being hired, according to the report.

>>> Read the full story at KXAN

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