Summer is finally here, and along with the sunny days come area skateboarders taking to the streets.
However, skateboarding enthusiasts caught on private property are subject to being ticketed for a 90-day misdemeanor, including up to a $500 fine.
Lake Orion Police Department Chief Jerry Narsh is constantly warning parents, and has advised local businesses to put up signs saying that skateboarding is not allowed on their property.
‘Some have (put up signs),? he said. ?(Skateboarding on private property) leads to other things…this is not the kind of thing these kids want to do,? he said.
In a recent incident, LOPD officers were called to a business on Broadway Street, where several skateboarders fled the scene, while three more were arrested.
‘Most kids don’t run,? Narsh said. ‘Running away from a police officer is itself a crime in Michigan. That can be a felony.?
Although skateboarders are generally respectful when approached by police officers, Narsh said there is still a lot of damage being done, costing private business owners, as well as presenting numerous liability issues for them.
‘We can’t allow kids to damage other people’s property,? Narsh said. ‘And if they are causing malicious damage, that (charge) could go up to a felony.?
A favorite place for skateboarders to congregate is Children’s Park in downtown Lake Orion.
‘We’ve had lots of damage at the park,’said Narsh. ‘We want the skateboarders to know, people are watching.?
It’s important for parents to know that what their kids do could affect them, and more directly, their wallets.
‘If damage is done, the parents are responsible as well,? Narsh said. ‘Some parents don’t care, some are angry that there’s no where for their kids to skateboard. But that’s not society’s business, or the (local) businesses.?
Narsh said that even if parents set down rules, and their child is still found skateboarding on private property, the parents can still be held responsible.
He said parents and skateboarders can get information on where they can legally skateboard by first contacting businesses with large lots to see if it’s allowed.
‘They need to ask, and limit their activity to the scope allowed by the business owner,? said Narsh. ‘Lots of businesses do call us, and it’s unfortunate that all private property is attractive to a given skateboarder.?
Narsh noted one incident where a business owner allowed skateboarders to use his lot, and found trash left there.
‘The kids were rude to him,? he said. ‘Then you have an upset property owner saying, ‘I don’t think so.??
The LOPD is responding to such incidents ‘daily and weekly,? according to Narsh.
‘It does become a burden on the department,? he said. ‘We keep a list of kids for the officers to access, so they can add names to the list.?
Narsh said first-time offenders usually get a warning, but if a name keeps coming up on the list, that person will be issued a ticket.
‘They can end up in probate court,? he said of repeat offenders. ‘It creates a permanent juvenile record.?