I have a serious problem with police officers turning their lights on and pulling over minors on skateboards! I witnessed this with my own eyes on Friday. This is ridiculous. I believe Opie was allowed to ride his skateboard in his neighborhood in Mayberry. Are we really going to tell our kids that they can’t skate to the skate shop? I don’t understand. The kid walked back up the hill and actually asked me to hold his skateboard while he went back to the skate shop so he wouldn’t get in trouble. I’m so disturbed by this. He said, “What is wrong with me riding my skateboard? Should I stay inside and drink instead?” That was a powerful statement to me! So, Mr. Police Officer, perhaps you can stick to pulling over the cars that run the stop sign at that corner, which you are VERY good at doing, and I REALLY DO appreciate, but please, don’t pull over a minor on a skateboard.
I don’t even know what to tell my son. He asked, why is skateboarding illegal, I had to look at him and say “I HAVE NO IDEA!” I understand that the community doesn’t want the skaters to destroy the sidewalks or skate in public parking lots for safety reason and certainly not to vandalize anything at all, but when a kid can’t skate to the skate shop without getting threatened with a fine, we’ve crossed a line here! If you can’t skate down the street, than you can’t ride your bike either. Isn’t that only fair? So, how about all of the families who enjoy their bike ride to the snowball stand get pulled over too? This is crazy and I’m disgusted that even a fraction of a penny of my borough taxes could keep a kid from skating to the skate shop! So, if Barney Fife, didn’t have a problem with Opie riding his skateboard through the streets of Mayberry (which seems to be a town that ours like to emmulate), why does the Borough?
I have a serious problem with police officers turning their lights on and pulling over minors on skateboards! I witnessed this with my own eyes on Friday. This is ridiculous. I believe Opie was allowed to ride his skateboard in his neighborhood in Mayberry. Are we really going to tell our kids that they can’t skate to the skate shop? I don’t understand. The kid walked back up the hill and actually asked me to hold his skateboard while he went back to the skate shop so he wouldn’t get in trouble. I’m so disturbed by this. He said, “What is wrong with me riding my skateboard? Should I stay inside and drink instead?” That was a powerful statement to me! So, Mr. Police Officer, perhaps you can stick to pulling over the cars that run the stop sign at that corner, which you are VERY good at doing, and I REALLY DO appreciate, but please, don’t pull over a minor on a skateboard.
I don’t even know what to tell my son. He asked, why is skateboarding illegal, I had to look at him and say “I HAVE NO IDEA!” I understand that the community doesn’t want the skaters to destroy the sidewalks or skate in public parking lots for safety reason and certainly not to vandalize anything at all, but when a kid can’t skate to the skate shop without getting threatened with a fine, we’ve crossed a line here! If you can’t skate down the street, than you can’t ride your bike either. Isn’t that only fair? So, how about all of the families who enjoy their bike ride to the snowball stand get pulled over too? This is crazy and I’m disgusted that even a fraction of a penny of my borough taxes could keep a kid from skating to the skate shop! So, if Barney Fife, didn’t have a problem with Opie riding his skateboard through the streets of Mayberry (which seems to be a town that ours like to emmulate), why does the Borough?
So the cop is the bad guy for doing his job?? We do NOT make the laws, we just enforce them. Whether we agree with them or not. A skateboard is a little trickier to ride then a bike is, esp on a road that has little rocks and such on it. And yes I was a skater back in the 80s (though I preferred my Hutch and GT bike over the board), so I know what I am talking about there. Why didn’t he just tuck his board under his arms and walk into the shop? No need to walk home and have you hold it (Not sure if thats what he was told, if so I disagree with that part).
The lights on are for safety purposes. Ours AND yours! Too many of us get hit every year outside of our cars when folks aren’t paying attention. Any time I stop with a ped or a vehicle, my lights go on for safety.
You complain about this, but the parent who has a son/daughter skating down a street and gets hit by a car, after he hits a rock and falls into oncoming traffic, will then complain that he/she wasn’t stop by the police.
Mayberry was WAY different then we are. Different era as well.
Its a law. Don’t take it out on us for doing our job, take it out on the folks who made the law.
And so I will. I plan to be at the next Borough meeting. I don’t buy that skating is more dangerous than riding a bike. It’s up to the individual if they prefer to skate or bike. I too used to skate, and my 33 year old husband still skates to this day. I come from a neighborhood where if we kids wouldn’t have been allowed to skate, then we would have certainly turned into troubled individuals probably hooked on every drug that came our way. For people who call themselves “skaters” it’s more than just a mode of transportation. It’s a sport and a way of life. This law needs to be re-evaluated. If they can’t skate on the side streets then we need to fund a skate park for these kids. It’s probably been enforced as a nother way to collect money. A bunch of us parents would like to prepay the $25 fine for our kids as they will be allowed, by us, to continue to skate in front of our homes. I encourage my son and his friends to keep skating and turn off the tv’s and stay outdoors. It’s healthier. I’ll risk them falling off their skateboards in return for not being overweight and sitting in front of a tv or computer or god knows what else they chose to do. This law is offensive, so thanks for bringing it to my attention that it needs to be escalated to the ear of whomever can change it.
For people who call themselves “skaters” it’s more than just a mode of transportation. It’s a sport and a way of life.
I agree with that, I was on my bike/board almost 24/7, even had a sponsorship. Does your husband (or you) remember “Thunderbowl” (I think that was its name) in York? Man, that place was aan awesome place to ride.
Twisted Sisters - 07 April 2008 12:16 PM
This law needs to be re-evaluated.
Its been a law for a long time now and Stewartstown isn’t the only place where it is illegal.
Twisted Sisters - 07 April 2008 12:16 PM
If they can’t skate on the side streets then we need to fund a skate park for these kids.
Shrewsbury is the closest
Twisted Sisters - 07 April 2008 12:16 PM
It’s probably been enforced as a nother way to collect money. This law is offensive, so thanks for bringing it to my attention that it needs to be escalated to the ear of whomever can change it.
No it is enforced, because it is a law and its our job to enforce the laws. No matter how trivial or stupid we (or others) may think. We cannot (though I admit some do choose) choose what we want to enforce. Your welcome, just remember we are just doing our jobs. And, I can’t speak for others but most feel the same way, but I really dislike being called Barney Fife (NOT saying you called me or Stewratstown PD that).
Good luck and I hope you can change the law. Please tell your son to skate safely.
Please forgive me, I was NOT calling our police Barney Fife. I was simply saying if Barney didn’t mind than we shouldn’t either. I understand that the police are just upholding the law, and that it’s the law that needs to be changed. I will fight for that, so thank you for bringing that to my attention. I sometimes feel like we have sooo many silly laws that I need to carry a list with me to make sure I’m crossing my T’s and dotting my I’s. My grandfather was a police officer, and I have much respect for the police, and I find myself always defending them when people bad mouth cops, but I honestly couldn’t do it this time. It hurt me to tell my son that I didn’t know why that police officer would pull a kid over on a board. When he gets home from school I now know what to say. I’ll let him know that the police officer was just following orders and that we need to change that particular rule. He’ll understand that as this is the same town that doesn’t like our dogs getting lose but has a law that won’t let us build a taller fence. He’s well aware of the silly rules we all must follow. Thanks again for your posts and I hope I didn’t offend you. However, for anyone reading this who wants to help out with the change of this rule, please come to the next Borough meeting. Maybe the officer on this posting will stand behind us in changing this rule as he too was a fellow skater!!!!!!
I think a great solution to the problem would be a place for the kids to skate , legally. Whether it’s a park or just an open, unused lot. Maybe a skate lot/park could be made up at the recreation area by the ball fields, tennis courts and carnival grounds? My son talked me into buying him a skate board last fall but, he is only allowed to ride it on the crappy, uneven, old sidewalk that we have behind our house on our propterty. I told him that when he begged me for it. He is only 9 so, that’s what he is limited to.
Maybe some local businesses would be willing to allow the kids to skate when their businesses are closed? I doubt that though. Just wishful thinking.
I do know that I get irritated by the kids who purposely won’t move out of my way when I am driving through. And no, it’s not ALL kids. Just a select few. I am not just talking kids on skate boards either. It’s kids walking and riding bikes too. It’s a safety issue. Just have common sense and move over to the side. And, please don’t yell at ME just because I am driving through to get to my own home. It is a pain too when the kids are out in front of my house banging their skateboards down on the street which causes my dogs to go nuts and bark loudly. Gee, that could lead to me getting a fine for excessive dog barking!
All kids, and adults, need to remember to be safe when out on the streets whether it be walking, jogging, skateboarding or bike riding.
And so I will. I plan to be at the next Borough meeting. I don’t buy that skating is more dangerous than riding a bike. It’s up to the individual if they prefer to skate or bike. I too used to skate, and my 33 year old husband still skates to this day. I come from a neighborhood where if we kids wouldn’t have been allowed to skate, then we would have certainly turned into troubled individuals probably hooked on every drug that came our way. For people who call themselves “skaters” it’s more than just a mode of transportation. It’s a sport and a way of life. This law needs to be re-evaluated. If they can’t skate on the side streets then we need to fund a skate park for these kids. It’s probably been enforced as a nother way to collect money. A bunch of us parents would like to prepay the $25 fine for our kids as they will be allowed, by us, to continue to skate in front of our homes. I encourage my son and his friends to keep skating and turn off the tv’s and stay outdoors. It’s healthier. I’ll risk them falling off their skateboards in return for not being overweight and sitting in front of a tv or computer or god knows what else they chose to do. This law is offensive, so thanks for bringing it to my attention that it needs to be escalated to the ear of whomever can change it.
I was hoping it wasn’t tonight as I have to go to a PTA meeting tonight. I just received the newsletter, so I’ll check out when the next one is and try to make that meeting as I really do want to see something done for these kids. Skateboards are for pushing not for carrying!
I look forward to meeting you...I’ve been talking about parents getting involved with a local skatepark on this forum for years, seach, you’ll find my posts on the topic. There are grants available for these things as I’ve explained, and I believe businessowners and local gov’t would be open to it, but a grassroots organization of parents, skaters, and business owners is how it get’s off the ground...I hear the call every couple of years, sadly noone ever answers it...we want a skatepark...build us a skatepark...doesn’t work that way.
Twisted Sisters - 07 April 2008 12:16 PM
I too used to skate
Me too, still have mine, but my bad back won out long ago, and it was Thunderdome Chris, great place, can still remember the lines Landsdowne bowl is still intact and skated regularly, contests there now and then as well.
Twisted Sisters - 07 April 2008 12:16 PM
This law needs to be re-evaluated. If they can’t skate on the side streets then we need to fund a skate park for these kids.
Maybe you should know what the law is before calling for re-evaluation. Have you read it? Know the specifics?
http://www.stewartstown.org/Ordinances/Ordinance 2003-002 Skateboard Restrictions.pdf
Twisted Sisters - 07 April 2008 12:16 PM
It’s probably been enforced as a nother way to collect money.
Please come to the meeting, I’m sure the Chief would love to explain how much proceeds we get from skateboard ordinance enforcement, I bet it’s not much, if any at all.
Anyway, if you read the ordinance, you’ll see that there are AREA restrictions, it’s not a blanket restriction on any and all sidewalks in town. From what I can see, the restrictions are…
-All sidewalks adjacent to Main Street/Route 24, essentially all of Main Street North end to South end.
-All sidewalks adjacent to Route 851, meaning 851 into town on Hill, Pennsylvania, and out of town on College.
-No skating on commercial property if posted.
-No skating on public recreation or park area if posted.
So per the law, it would seem that there are plenty of areas that you can skate.
Hope that helps, next meeting on the 21st, we welcome your attendance
[ Edited: 07 April 2008 03:05 PM by Chris_McGraw ]
I used to get pulled over for skating well into my twenties. Lights, the whole thing.
When I was young the big thing everyone hoped for was a ‘Logan Earth Ski’ (I lived in California). In my twenties I had an early Varilux board from a hot young skater named Tony Hawk. Sweet. Sometimes I am suprised that I survived all of that with as few scars as I have.
Do you think that sometimes we put so much protection around our childern that we over protect them?
Anyway, if you read the ordinance, you’ll see that there are AREA restrictions, it’s not a blanket restriction on any and all sidewalks in town. From what I can see, the restrictions are…
-All sidewalks adjacent to Main Street/Route 24, essentially all of Main Street North end to South end.
-All sidewalks adjacent to Route 851, meaning 851 into town on Hill, Pennsylvania, and out of town on College.
-No skating on commercial property if posted.
-No skating on public recreation or park area if posted.
So per the law, it would seem that there are plenty of areas that you can skate.
I wish I would have know all about it especially since this kid was pulled over on Mill Street skating down the hill towards the skate shop. Doesn’t appear that he was doing anything “illegal” afterall. Anyhow, I’ve always said education is key, so thanks for informing me of the rule! My husband still skates Lansdowne. Good friends of ours own a skate park in Parkville. It’s so much fun to even observe, which is all I do these days. We are going to draw up a petition and get a group together and definitely plan to attend that next meeting. Look forward to meeting you too! SK8ERS RULE!!!!
Do you think that sometimes we put so much protection around our childern that we over protect them?
Amen JustPlainC! I feel like we put so many rules on these kids that we are just making it fun for them to break them. It’s just so crazy. If my son can’t handle falling off a skateboard, then how is he supposed to handle getting hit by the soccer ball or basketball or any of the other sports he is “allowed” to play. I’ve always been a fan of “Keep Your Laws Off My Body” bumper sticker. As for Tony Hawk, I bet his mom is pretty proud of his skateboard blunders and glad he broke some stupid rules as he’s a millionaire now and mentors hundreds of kids. That’s actually what my son said last night. He said something about how he’ll break those stupid rules to be as cool as Tony Hawk! Afterall, most kids now just play his video game!! UGH! Something has gone wrong w/our society. It’s really sad.
I wish I would have know all about it especially since this kid was pulled over on Mill Street skating down the hill towards the skate shop. Doesn’t appear that he was doing anything “illegal” afterall.
That is incorrect per the ordinance, you can’t skate IN THE STREET, and I personally would not want to see ordinance that allows all skateboarders to skate in the street.
I need to apologize, because I mistakenly left something out when I read and posted part of the ordinance yesterday, so for clarification, here is all of section 2....
Section 2: Restrictions
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, ride, or propel or otherwise operate skateboards, roller blades, scooters, roller skates or in-line skates or other similar riding equipment on all sidewalks designated in Section 3 hereafter or on any street, alley, and alleyway within the Borough of Stewartstown.
a. All sidewalks adjacent to PA State Route 24 also known as N. Main St. and S. Main St.) for it’s entire length.
b. All sidewalks adjacent to PA State Route 851 along Hill St., Pennsylvania Ave., and College Ave.
c. All sidewalks along Ballast Lane
So just to be clear, skateboarding in itself is not a crime in Stewartstown, but there are areas designated as restricted.
[ Edited: 08 April 2008 09:11 AM by Chris_McGraw ]
With school taxes through the roof, gas at $3.30 + per gallon, groceries & everything else up in price, please don’t look for the community to eat this one too. Enough is enough.
I have no problem with the kids having a designated area to skate. I do have a problem with paying for it. The options of local business monetary involvement, grants, etc. is the way to go, along with if the parents of skaters wish to chip in, go for it.
Just don’t ask me for anymore, the well is dry.
With school taxes through the roof, gas at $3.30 + per gallon, groceries & everything else up in price, please don’t look for the community to eat this one too. Enough is enough.
I have no problem with the kids having a designated area to skate. I do have a problem with paying for it. The options of local business monetary involvement, grants, etc. is the way to go, along with if the parents of skaters wish to chip in, go for it.
Just don’t ask me for anymore, the well is dry.
You’re right. Let’s not spend that money on the kids. I don’t expect the community to pay for it. I don’t expect anything from this community. Besides now learning these silly rules we have, I learned that too. This community is not open to change. Can’t wait to move!
Landsdowne bowl is still intact and skated regularly, contests there now and then as well.
