Skateboarders Show Up to Speak Against Proposed Ban

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  Scores of young skateboarders, many of them carrying their boards and wearing baseball hats, came to the City Council meeting Monday to protest a proposed ordinance that would ban skateboard riding in business and commercial areas.

“I don’t understand why you guys want to restrict skateboarding,” Thomas De Nicola, 16, said.”It’s a good hobby, and it’s better than getting loaded or using drugs.”

Many of the skateboarders went to the microphone to speak against the proposal.

The proposed ordinance, which would allow skateboarding only in residential neighborhoods, is scheduled to come up again for discussion at the council’s meeting on April 15.

The proposal follows months of complaints from businesses and schools about the dangerous practices of skateboard riders.

Police several months ago began cracking down on skateboarders in the downtown area, and that reportedly stirred resentments among the youthful skateboard fans. Last week, a new, $8.6-million downtown parking structure was splashed with red paint by vandals, causing $5,000 damage. Among graffiti left by the vandals was: “Catch Me if You Can.”

Shortly after the vandalism was discovered, police theorized that skateboarders were involved. Subsequently, three teen-age suspects were arrested.

But skateboarders on Monday night said that all should not be judged by the bad example of a few.