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| Skateboarding Law (490 Posts)
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Running...
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On 12/2/2003
Miko
wrote in from
(66.81.nnn.nnn)
My logic says that you're acting like a criminal if you run from police, rent-a-cops, security, or any other authority that wants to escort you, arrest you, ticket you, etc. Act like a criminal; get treated like a criminal.
Polite, thoughtful engagement has won me more "second chances" than I would have ever thought possible. In most instances I end up making jokes and having decent exchanges with folks that may have cited me initially. They usually end up admitting that they don't like having to enforce something where there is no clear destruction or danger to others occuring, and/or possibly no one even in the vicinity.
A few times after talking, they've stayed on the hill to watch... (ummm, do paperwork), and drove away waving and stoked after seeing controlled carving slides and a pendulum at 35mph.
I've also found that in many ways, these guys are "interpreting" the law themselves, because the law is vague and ambiguous. Ideas such as no brakes - obstructing traffic - poor visibility due to corners - setting a dangerous example for younger kids (despite the fact that we're fully padded and in helmets, skating skillfully etc.)
When you run, you're running away from a chance to politely confront and discuss something vitally important to keeping skateboarding alive, and probably confirming the bad image (in their mind), that leads to discriminatory crackdowns in the first place.
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Breakin the law
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On 12/2/2003 Smart
wrote in from
(24.185.nnn.nnn)
From a bunch of skaters I would have expected a different reaction.
Snowball said it best. "The law is cack".
MOOSE CACK!!
Arab was sort of on target but seemed to actually be supporting laws against skateboarding.
Skateboarding is not a crime.
Vanalism is a crime.
Destruction of public or private property is a crime.
Reckless endangerment is a crime.
You, rolling your fat ass down to Starbucks to spend 4 bucks on a latte is not. (Although it probably should be).
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Va. Beach
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On 12/2/2003 Dave G
wrote in from
(207.69.nnn.nnn)
DaveMo..
I'm glad you informed me of that!! I lived there (Indian River Rd.) in '81-82 (winter) and used to bomb the SBH for a release. I've since been taking several folks down the river that are "higher -ups" and even got them Bozi's Abec11's and Randals etc... for cruisin on. One gal was all over the idea, and put me in touch w/ some city officials, and we've spoken re: a race on trashmore!! Maybe they don't have a handle on what it is "WE" desire and need!! Back to the drawing board! How 'bout the hill that goes down by the military base (at the bottom of the hill to the Ave.?)
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Virginia Beach stuff
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On 12/2/2003
David "davmo" Morris
wrote in from
(172.152.nnn.nnn)
Hamm,
Yeah Virginia Beach has changed quite a bit since the 80s. About the boardwalk I know you cannot ride your bicycle on it. You now have to ride bikes on the bike path which runs alongside the boardwalk. I see that my son Aaron mentioned skateboarding on the boardwalk with leashes??? I don't know about that one.
Dave Gale,
About Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. The huge pile of recreational trash has undergone many changes in recent years. They have "re-capped" the hill with a new layer of clay and covered it with fresh soil and sod. One thing that the city did several years ago was the removal of the old Soap Box Derby Track. Its gone!!! The old SBD track was a nice hill where one could have a pretty good slalom course to run. Paul Dunn told me that he even raced there once years ago. Back in the 1970s I used to ride the crap out of that hill since it was the only hill on any size in Virginia Beach. Also there used to be an old asphault "skatepark'" which was on the other smaller hill. It featured a large bowl that had a horrible surface that could kill you and a smaller snake run which had horrible transitions which dumped into a shallower mellower ditch area. All of this was destroyed by the city years ago.
There is a new Plywood ramp skatepark at Trashmore but its just like every other plywood park you will see. Nothing special. There is word that Va Beach is going to make a large concrete skatepark near the Amp. Theater area of the city in 2005????
One thing certain is the Virginia Beach area needs a Slalom Skateboard event especially since there are so many skateboarders in this area and also the very big "surf culture" which is part of living near the ocean. I am sure that there would be plenty of interest. A slalom event could be held in Virginia Beach possibly in conjunction with the annual Neptune Festival. I was a participant in the very first Neptune Festival Skateboard Contest back in 1976. If the city sponsored a skateboard event then why not now???
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parking in garages
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On 12/2/2003 Chris B
wrote in from
(68.60.nnn.nnn)
oh yeah, hc...i always park in the garage i'm skating in, so do the guys i skate with. We figure we have nothing to hide...when it's nice out we all just park on the roof and ride ourside in the open air. But we do this on Sundays when there's no classes and no traffic
And before i forget, snoball, i dont have a great ass and wouldnt look too good in panties ;D
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Parking garages and that pesky snoball
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On 12/2/2003 Chris B
wrote in from
(68.60.nnn.nnn)
Sketchmaster, you're right on target....except for the fire breathing dragon part... which rides with hc....we're older and bigger than the kids (and guards) but we just stay polite, figuring they're just doing their job too...Hugh, we keep the same idea as you....we've been asked to leave a university garage once....we DID go back there one time (because it was raining), the guards came around again, but this time they let it slide (maybe because we waved and asked him how his day was?)...For the most part, the idea seems to be the same around the country, stay out of the public eye and dont draw too much attention to any damage you may do, which is apparantly what leads to problems in places like Cape May (which i found out is a 300 year old historical community...they have all KIND of rules and regulations)....keeping it to ourselves is as true now as it was for us in the '70's. And Snoball...heh heh heh... aint nothing wrong with a "spirited conversation"...I'm reading your context, and i'm not smacktalkin' either...everyones entitlesd to an opinion, that's fine....that's what keeps us coming back for more....
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pfft!
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On 12/2/2003 snoball
wrote in from
(68.200.nnn.nnn)
Chris, don't get your panties in such a twist.
You don't know me either. If you did, you'd know
I don't just arbitrarily 'attack' people on forums.
CONTEXT my dear, CONTEXT.
Some of you get ridiculously prissy about topics
where ANYONE can hold an opinion.
I think the law is cack. You're not gonna change
that. You think it's fine, terrific. I accept that.
I'm not out to evangelize you and it ain't gonna
happen in reverse. Growed ups understand that when
they discuss things.
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run or walk
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On 12/2/2003 hugh r
wrote in from
(24.48.nnn.nnn)
hc... I take the posisition that if you are seen, then it's best just to pick up your stuff and leave quickly and politely. I have done this several times and never had a problem.
If however, you know their looking for you, but haven't found you yet... I sneak out as quickly and quietly as I can!
On more than a few ocassions, I have had guards, rental cops, and real police officers let us know that this next one needs to be our last run. We just smile, wave, say thanks, and skate the structure and bail. My two cents... HR
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run or talk
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On 12/2/2003
hc
wrote in from
(68.121.nnn.nnn)
arab, great post,
btw, a question for you all,
we skate a awesome private garage, almost every other time the security catch us and escort us out and threaten to call the cops.
my question, is it better to run from security or be polite and get escorted out?
btw, I park inside the garage sometimes, bad idea?
hc
geocities.com/sk8sanjose
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Parking Garages and Abondoned Pools
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On 12/2/2003
Sketchmaster
wrote in from
(4.22.nnn.nnn)
What the general concensus on this thread regarding SPECIFICALLY skating empty garages after hours and abandoned swimming pools that are so neglected that skating can do no further damage? A specific reference I have is regarding swimming pools that we had near Phoenix, AZ that were all abandoned due to the area being condemned for highway construction. They had security guards out there to guard against us skating the pools right up to the day they ripped them out. As far as the muni parking garages go; Screw 'em. My tax dollars paid for the damn thing. When I leave the garage it is no more damaged then when I arrived. There's a lot more to this than what is apparently "illegal". I would question the legality of a fictional premise that put public property in such a legal condition that the public is not allowed to use it for reasonable, non-damaging purposes. Further, we've been attacked physically too many times by overzealous security guards, janitors and cops over the years to let my feelings regarding this die. I do respect private property but when someone was looking to crack your skull no matter where you were or what you were doing, so long as you had a skate it got damned hard to maintain that respect.
In short here's my input to the kids: Skate the crusty old pools at the crappy edge of town. You're not ruining anyones nice pool and you'll have better sessions than getting in a couple of "one hits" and then running for your life. Get a surplussed curb block and plant it on your driveway for short curb work. Never forget that the legendary sessions of the 80's were premised by our trying to get as far out of the public eye as possible. Doing your cartoon character small wheels, big pants thing in a crowded public area is never anything we did and it's not going to get you anywhere.
To the old codgers: Don't forget that the respect that may be afforded to you may not be so willingly dispensed to the children. That respect may well derive from the fact that you are now a 6'2", 220 pound fire breathing dragon. The only way I got security guards to quit beating my ass was to hand them their own.
Yours sincerely in skate: The Master of Sketch
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Va. Beach
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On 12/2/2003 Dave G
wrote in from
(207.69.nnn.nnn)
Aaron, I'm working to get a race at Mt. Trashmore! I also want to let you know, You've still got a set of Pleasure Tool Bearings(Abec7) Commin' your way for the great racing you did in West By God Va.
Sorry... I lost track of time, and spoke to your pa' to get the address..(Your were some where even flater)
Enjoy,
Dave G
It can all be done, in a simpler place..
He He He
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Skate where ever when ever
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On 12/2/2003 Chris B
wrote in from
(204.78.nnn.nnn)
Snoball.....dont get bent.....looking at some of the names posting here, i'm sure there's more hours of "unsanctioned skate sessions" than you could know. Nobody's saying dont do it....We're saying, it's against the law and if you do it, it's at your own risk. Furthermore, and i dont care who you are or where you are, jackin' up somebody's pool to get your kicks is never REALLY a cool thing to do. It made for great video and the Z-legends were born from there, but those were different times and you cant repeat them. If somebody's got an abandoned pool, you're better off ASKING them if you can skate it....you'd be surprised that sometimes they actually say ok...In fact, since youre so quick to bring up the Z crew, check your history, they were INVITED to skate the dogbowl by the owners. And next time you question the balls, guts or talent of those posting here, think twice...you dont know me...i doubt you know these other skaters either...anybody can be tough on the internet...
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VaBeach
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On 12/2/2003
Aaron Morris
wrote in from
(68.10.nnn.nnn)
Dave, This Aaron, The other Dave is my dad. They still let you skate down on the board walk, but you have to have a string tied to your board like surf leash. That is what i heard. It might be possible to eventually have a race here on the board walk. Their is about 1 inch expansion gaps to look out for.It is ultra smooth though. Ther are rollerblades alowed though, and they fly up and down thae board walk.
Aaron
Team Turner and Radikal Racing trucks
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VaBeach
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On 12/2/2003
Hamm
wrote in from
(199.41.nnn.nnn)
David Morris, I lived in VA Beach for a while in mid '80's and we skated the boardwalk all the time no problem. I guess 20 years will change times. Do they still allow beach cruisers and other bicycles on the Boardwalk??
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pfft!
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On 12/2/2003 snoball
wrote in from
(68.200.nnn.nnn)
OK, just remember what some of you are saying the
next time you might get invited to skate 'unauthorized'
pools. Oh, maybe you won't be.
Damn. Good thing the Z crew never trespassed huh?
Yeah. Good thing.
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Arab's right
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On 12/2/2003
Lenny
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
A few months ago I saw a cop I know talking to a kid on a skateboard when I was on my daily "walk" (read: smoke-break) during lunch. It is the same cop who's on duty in my school so I asked him if he stopped the kid for skating. He hadn't. He told me that he THOUGHT skating on the sidewalks is illegal, but (reading between the lines and using common sense) the only time they have to use that is when there's another situation in conjunction with the skating: i.e. destruction of property, yelling profanity, etc. I've skated past many cops here when cruising around and normally get a smile and a wave.
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Soon to be the #1 Top Posted Forums
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On 12/2/2003 Dave G
wrote in from
(63.191.nnn.nnn)
Chris B /Arab, are showing their knowledge and tact when dealing with a municipality. Some people think it's "their right" to do what they want,where they want,and when they want! No matter the cost or disturbance and risk to others!
Get a grip..You, nor anyone else has the right to endanger or deface any property (being real or personal). Folks don't Settle shop or frequent areas that run amuck w/ disrespectful non-responsible doofuses that hinder and endanger the enjoyment for all!
Would you think it were right for some 70 year olds (or anyone else for that matter) to decide that they wanted to take a "stroll" w/ their dogs or kids in a skatepark?? My town of Fayetteville has also a "no skateboarding" law that I worked hard to get them to "overlook" 1 day a year. It might be "overlooked" all together if skaters would be responsible for their actions, and quit trashing everything that appears to have been put there for distruction!!
I know....I'm an old fahrt, I did stupid things in life (still do) But I pay for my mistakes and poor judgement, no body else should have to!
Enjoy,
Dave G
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Lawlessness
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On 12/2/2003 PSR
wrote in from
(24.52.nnn.nnn)
Looks to me The Issue is,and has been LAWYERS! Send them where they're needed most,Iraq...
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On 12/2/2003 Chris B
wrote in from
(204.78.nnn.nnn)
well said.
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On 12/2/2003
Arab
wrote in from
(24.24.nnn.nnn)
The anti skateboarding law in Huntington Beach was put in place to protect the city and its community of businesses against property damage and public nuisence, With the law in place it gives the authorites the power to cite those that are breaking laws, Cite What? The damaging of public and private property.
Skateboarding is not a crime, Tresspassing, Vandalism and being a nuisance is.
Tresspassing onto private property is illegal, when skateboarders think it is their right to grind the handrail or set up cones on my business and deface my property,
that is now illegal, it was illegal before the law was put in place but the law was not specific enough and did not give the authorities the right to cite the skaters, now it does.
When skateboarders are grinding a handrail in front of a high rise business complex and doing damage to the rail and endangering the people that have to work there, that is illegal, What Damage? think about how much it cost to install that handrail? Now it is gouged and has metal splinters that could injure somebody that needs to use it to get up the stairs, or maybe now the hand rail has come loose from its foundation and will no longer serve its intended purpose.
As for any other type of skateboarding, slalom, carving, cruising etc, If you think it is your right to go play in a parking lot or parking structure you are wrong. Cities and busineses dont need the liability of somebody that could get hurt partaking in activity that is dangerous and could injure somebody on their property, whether it be the skateboarder or somebody that works at the business.
This country is SUE Happy, It is municipalities and businesses right to protect their interest. Remember the lady that got burned by Mcdonalds coffee? Yes people sue for everything nowadays.
One of the complaints that was heard by the city was, Some older lady was walking down main st, some skateboarder came charging down the sidewalk and scared the old lady, she stepped to one side to get out of the way, she stepped into a muddy planter and fell into the street and broke her wrist, Lucky for the city, she didint sue them, but it did make them think that maybe they should do something to curtail this from happening again, and should it happen the liability will not be put on them or business owners.
I have no problem with the laws, they are only enforced when need be, and when somebody is defaceing, damaging or being a public nuisance, then they are enforced. this doesnt just go for Skateboarders, it applies to Bladders, Scooters and Bicyclist and anybody else that breaks the laws.
For near 40 years now, I have been told not to skate here or there, I have no problem being told I cant skate somewhere, I respect somebodies property whether it be public or private.
My Motto has always been:
"Skateboarding is not a Crime
Tresspassing is
Hope a fence and skate today"
If I get caught, thats my fault and I must pay the consequences, whether it be a ticket, jail time or the loss of my board.
*
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On 12/2/2003 snoball
wrote in from
(68.200.nnn.nnn)
erm, thanks for assuming i'm a dude, dude.
i'm not.
one doesn't learn to exercise the common sense
you speak of until one has the chance to first
make mistakes...
being able to walk outside, drop my board on the
ground, and explore the neighborhood on my skateboard
was IT for me, just as it is for kids now...hopping
the fences to 'skate THAT thing!' as well...why is
it ok to look back fondly on these things, and for
some of you, to try to relive them...but it's wrong
for the kids today to do these things too? is it because they're younger? is it because they do tricks and skate a style you're not into that makes leaning on the side
of anti-skating laws somehow easier for you?
you can't convince me with the rationalizations
mr/mrs.Citizens....so don't try. I just hope you're
belief in this law works as well for bikes, blades
and yuppie baby carriages ( which, btw, are incredibly
annoying on sidewalks ). As for slalom not enciting
suck ranker in the non-skaters, you don't have to. I've
seen you do it amongst yourselves pretty well.
Owch! ;-)
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On 12/2/2003
Jack
wrote in from
(207.114.nnn.nnn)
This is a tough one.
While skaters should not be banned from riding their boards, I do think that property destruction is something entirely different. I'm not saying that grinding a curb is vandalisim, I guess it really comes down to where said curb is. If it's in a highly trafficked area, vehicles/pedestrian, the skaters will surely draw more attention to what they are doing. There is also the danger of a collision with a vehicle or pedestrian. But of course it's more fun for skaters to session a curb or bench when they have an audience.
Sometimes as skaters we think just a little too highly of ourselves and our activity. I'm sure the elderly couple who take their daily walk to the local park to sit on the bench and talk or feed the birds, just love having their clothes stained by "curb wax".
Slim, so if we apply your "bench/curb" logic to roads and sidewalks we would have nowhere to skate, except skateparks, wooden ramps and pools.
Snoball, I agree with you regarding "bladers".
I've been skating since 1974 and count the number of my run-ins with the "man" on one hand. Why? Because I chose to skate in either out of the "public eye" or at times when the "public eye" was not present.
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On 12/2/2003 Chris B
wrote in from
(204.78.nnn.nnn)
and also...is Cape May even in North America??
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On 12/2/2003 Chris B
wrote in from
(204.78.nnn.nnn)
Isabelle, you can buy many things "legally" in the US....but you have to be responsible in its use....i dont care if its a car, a gun or a board (items from all sides of the spectrum)....Use it with regards to others and your fine, show disregard and you're not....Ride with care to the people and environment around you and there's no problems, (along Dave G's line), damage public property and buzz the pedestrians and there are problems. This is a situation that pops up from coast to coast. Any litigation is a pain in the butt and i doubt the city councils are getting into this without first receiving complaints from their residents. And Snoball, lay off on the caffeine son, your blood pressures too high...I have nothing against learning in the streets, as a kid i rode them all day everyday, i'm just saying be aware of where your at and what your doing. If there's alot of people-traffic, find a different spot, if you're working on a stunt that's damaging public property, reconsider what your doing...And finally, Slim...on your first point, maybe we should all be mountainboarding then aye?...and on your second, i agree, but that's a whole 'nother story.
Did you ever notice that slalomboarders dont raise such anger from the townsfolk?....hmmmm...why do ya suppose that is?? Why dont we ask the folks in Fayetteville.....
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On 12/2/2003 snoball
wrote in from
(68.200.nnn.nnn)
and btw, while the java juice is pumping hard
here...
I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't learn to skate in parks. I learned in the street. Not all kids
have access to parks. Which is beside the point, because
I don't think skaters should be forced into parks
if they don't like them anyway.
I wonder how many parks Cape May has.
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