For years, police officers, business owners and parents have been at odds with skateboarders as communities struggle to find a safe and legal place for the skaters.
‘No skateboarding? signs pop up in parking lots and skateboards are plastered with ‘Skateboarding is not a crime? bumper stickers.
Business owners, whose parking lots are frequently crowded with teens and grind rails, worry about liability issues in case of injury. Police officers enforce ordinances and laws prohibiting skateboarding all over the village and township. Some parents complain of skaters? profanity and rudeness. Other parents just want a place for their kids to practice. And skaters scurry to stay ahead of law enforcement and find the next best place to skate.
One obvious solution is a skate park, but township and village plans to build one seem little more than pipe dreams. So far, kids have been left to their own devices.
Richie Taucher, 13, has been skateboarding for nearly two years and says he and his friends talk about the possibility of a skate park often.
‘It’d be awesome,? he said. ‘It’d definitely be the new hang out spot.?
Taucher is frustrated that he has no place to skate legally around town. For now, he practices in the Children’s Park parking lot, grind rail in tow, despite a sign saying no skateboards allowed.
He says police officers often ask his group to leave.
‘I don’t see what we’re doing wrong,? said Taucher. ‘Where else are we supposed to go??
Oxford resident Denise Walle brings her two daughters, Skylar and Kiara, to Children’s Park regularly. She’s seen skaters there, but says they don’t bother park visitors.
?(Skaters) aren’t out here causing chaos,? Walle said.
Police Chief Jerry Narsh reminds kids and parents to keep skateboards away from where it’s prohibited.
‘Where can they go? Anywhere it’s not prohibited or illegal and they’re not blocking traffic,? he said, adding ‘restaurant and business parking lots are private property and for customer use. If a sign is up, you can be ticketed immediately.?
Police have to enforce trespassing laws, but Narsh suggests asking to use the property first even where signs aren’t posted.
‘It’s a liability issue,? the chief said. ‘Last year a kid left in an ambulance from the Angel Center after falling.?
Taucher admits to many skateboarding injuries, including three broken fingers and a broken arm.
Narsh says he’s been in communication with community groups and organizations to identify possible skate park locations across the township. They will hold a meeting in late April for further discussion.
‘We’re not trying to ruin anyone’s fun,? said Narsh. ‘The village is looking to find a location.?