Campus crime skateboarding

Cal State Long Beach student Ian Azuelo was late for class so he grabbed his skateboard.

It was not long before University Police spotted him gliding across campus. The police officer let him off with a warning, but said he would issue a citation the next time he is caught.

"It's outrageous," said Azuelo, senior health science major. "Riding a skateboard is one thing. Doing tricks is another."

Azuelo is one of the many CSULB students who have had similar encounters with the law.

The city prohibits the operation of skateboards in designated areas because of the possibility of creating a hazard to persons or property, according to the Long Beach Municipal Code.

Since September, police have issued 27 skateboarding citations, said Greg Pascal, police communications supervisor.

The citation ranges from $50 to $130, depending on the court bail, and the skateboard is confiscated.

"I feel that if you use a board for transportation there should be no problems," Azuelo said. "If you're caught doing tricks and defacing school property, then you should pay the fines."

This code also states that the operation of skateboards is prohibited on all streets, alleys, sidewalks, parking facilities, driveways, paths and grounds on the campus of CSULB.

Some skaters find these penalties unfair.

"There are people who rely on skateboarding as transportation to go to work or come to school," said freshman graphic design major Jon Ancheta. "And that sucks because there are people who come here on bikes and that's OK."

Besides being unfair, these skaters also feel that these laws are a form of discrimination.

"It's hypocritical," said junior accounting major Kristian Bueno. "Police say skateboarding can cause damage to school property. Bikes and roller blades can too. I see a lot of people grind on their blades and bikes all the time on campus."

The main concern about skateboarding on campus is the safety of skaters and the safety of others, said Sgt. Madonna Gage. Many students have claimed to be hurt by skateboards when skaters fall off and lose control, she said.

In October, a student lost control of his skateboard and injured his head. He collided into a light pole at the East Campus Turnaround. He was not severely injured but received treatment for lacerations to his face.

It is these kinds of accidents that police said they are concerned about.

"A person on a skateboard is still considered a pedestrian," Gage said. "Pedestrians must follow rules to not obstruct the flow of traffic. Skaters usually do."

Skateboards have no device or mechanism for steering attached to them, which makes it harder to control, the municipal code states. Because skateboards lack the proper steering device, they have a harder time following the rules that they must abide by.

But, neither university policies nor regulations have deterred the activity on campus. Skateboarding is on the rise, said United Boardshop spokesman Andy Moore, it is a trend that increases every year and is expected to grow at a rapid pace.

"A lot of the kids are starting up," Moore said. "And a lot of college students are buying them as well."

Law or not, skaters said they insist on using a board on campus. Many said they will continue to skate despite the warnings. Avoiding the police is what many try to do.

"I feel as long as us skaters don't harm anybody or don't get in anybody's way we should be able to skate," said freshman communications major Raymond Drew.