When the bell rings at Lowry Elementary school, the streets of The Greens of Countryway fill up quickly.
"We end up with gridlock,” said Linda Baker who lives on the corner.
The streets are filled with parents that pull over and park their cars along the side of the street to go drop off or pick up their kids. Neighbors say they sometimes can’t even get out of their own driveways.
"Road rage is kind of building up here,” said neighbor Selecio Gonzalez.
The 'no parking' signs seem to go completely unnoticed.
Baker snapped several photos of cars blocking the crosswalk. She says it happens all the time.
Monday, ABC Action News watched as a minivan going the wrong direction parked inches away from a stop sign. Neighbors say when they ask people to stop, they are met with animosity.
"Today I had someone start yelling at me,” said Tina Heselton, who lives down the street.
The Hillsborough County School District says the principal at Lowry has called, texted and sent newsletters to parents reminding them to use the car line and not neighborhood streets.
"It goes by pretty quick and usually within 20 minutes it's cleared up,” Gonzalez said. He’s really concerned about people that park in front of fire hydrants which he says also happens a lot.
“[When] you start blocking the fire hydrants, where now if it's needed, you’re in the way of emergency vehicles coming to do their job,” he said. “It’s not right."
The gravel lot to the right of the school is a backup for parents. Some people wanted to see the grass lot to the left of the school paved, but the district says it’s considered a wetland. Baker hopes people will understand their concerns and be respectful
"I know I speak for the whole neighborhood when I say any kind of help that you can give us, we would greatly appreciate it,” she said.
