By snoadmin
After a semester of increased skateboarding ticketing, stops and warnings, University Chief of Police Fernando Solorzano announced plans to amend the skateboarding policy on campus at last week’s Associated Students Inc. meeting.
Under the current policy, skateboarding is illegal anywhere on campus and has been for years, according to the city of Long Beach’s municipal code 10.54.040(G). University Police are working with Facilities Management to find a way to allow skateboarding in designated areas, according to Solorzano.
“Skateboarding has really evolved over the years – where it was once considered a toy, it is now a true means of transportation, and I think it would be good for a campus like ours to utilize it in that way,” Solorzano said.
The going rate for a skateboarding citation is $236, according to Solorzano. Some students are concerned that University Police officers are just trying to generate revenue by cracking down on skateboarding, but they are largely unaware that any fines collected go directly to the city of Long Beach and not to the university, Solorzano said.
Most skateboarders use their boards primarily as a way to get around campus but there are some who weave their way in and out of packed sidewalks or speed downhill – causing potential harm to themselves or other students around them.
Junior human development major Caylen McDonald said skateboarding on campus doesn’t bother her but that she hates when people skate through busy areas like the Liberal Arts corridor.
“I’ve seen people almost get run over by skateboarders who aren’t paying attention and it just doesn’t seem safe,” McDonald said.
The major concern is safety on campus, which is why the proposal focuses on the creation of pedestrian-only safe pathways in heavily traffic areas, according to Mary Stephens, vice president of administration and finance.
Stephens said that the planning is still very preliminary and hopes to have everything finalized by fall 2013. She said she has been an advocate for the policy change because she feels that bikes and skateboards are a sustainable means of transportation.
“Bikes and skateboards aren’t going anywhere any time soon, so why not find a way to safely allow them?” Stephens said.
Solorzano said he was impressed with one student’s suggestion to add safety orientation training that would allow skateboarders to obtain a permit upon completion.
“This will be beneficial on all sides because it shows the officers that students have taken the time to learn the do’s and don’ts,” Solorzano said.
