Police plan to crack down on park's helmet, pad requirement
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Greenville resident Dylan Wiggins, 16, skates in the downtown Durham skate park’s “pool.” It was Wiggins’ first time skating at the park, and he said he liked it there a lot.
Greenville resident Dylan Wiggins, 16, skates in the downtown Durham skate park’s “pool.” It was Wiggins’ first time skating at the park, and he said he liked it there a lot.
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By KEITH UPCHURCH

kupchurch@heraldsun.com; 419-6612

DURHAM -- Police will soon start issuing citations against skateboarders who aren't wearing helmets and safety pads, according to Cynthia Booth, public affairs specialist with the Durham Parks and Recreation Department.

"We're educating the skaters to the rules, which are posted,'' she said. "They are supposed to wear helmets and pads. For 30 days, we will educate skaters in the park and let them know it is a safety requirement. After that, the Police Department will issue citations if someone is caught without their safety gear."

A sign at the park states that helmets and ankle and knee pads are required.

The citations will cost offenders $10 and $130 in court costs, she said. But she emphasized that safety is the main goal. "While citations may be issued after 30 days -- education will be the focus," she said.

She said the city wants skaters to enjoy the park and will offer "different events to incorporate safety'' in the coming months and years.

Booth said the parks department has no hard figures on attendance at the park so far. But she said ''it's been reported that 50 to 75 people have been skating at the park at a time.''

For information about the park and safety, visit the department's Web site at www.DPRPlayMore.org

Steven Tubiolo, 23, of Hillsborough, was skating at the park last week and said he had mixed feelings about the safety equipment requirement.

''I can see where the city's coming from, why they would want to have helmets here,'' he said. "It's definitely worth wearing. In fact, we just had some kid break his arm here.''

But he said many skaters prefer not to wear pads and helmets. ''It's just how the person wants to skate.''

Tubiolo wasn't wearing a helmet or pads, but added: "If I'm going to do anything crazy on my skateboard, I'll throw on my helmet, if I'm going to go down some stairs.''

He said he understands requiring those under 18 to wear safety equipment, but not adults.

''If you're 18 and up, it should be your choice whether you want to wear pads or not,'' he said. "But like the little kids that were out here, there is a good reason why you should wear pads, because some little kids are just stepping on a skateboard, and they're going to fall."
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comments (5)
« 23satan666 wrote on Saturday, Dec 05 at 11:16 PM »
theres no such thing as ankle pads you kooks and i agree with dude man talkin about no pads.
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« jswoop wrote on Friday, Dec 04 at 04:53 PM »
This is way skater choose the streets. We do not have to wear helmets, ankle, and knee pads out there. Skaters skate at there on risk we like to go big. We do not like to get hurt but its a risk you take for something that you like to do. Its dangerous we know cause of all the shows and youtube videos of people getting hurt. Its what we do.

Ankle pads will restrict a skater when riding the ramps or doing tricks down the stairs or rails. You need your ankles when skating and ankle pads will prevent a lot of movement. If a kid falls at a public park and breaks his arm on the swing whats the difference to a public skate park. You dont enforce arm pads but ankle pads. A helmet is one thing but pads come on. If your over 18 you have your choice but you could still sue the city if you don't sign a legal waiver. So in the end the system screws skaters again.

If the city made everyone that skated there sign a waiver, i wouldn't be able to skate im 17 and my mother wouldn't go out of her way to sign for me to be able to skate. Thats the only way to fix the pad issue cause if you got the waiver helmets are the only thing enforced and there are still many skaters that do not enjoy that and would rather rip up the streets.
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« anonymous wrote on Wednesday, Nov 25 at 07:11 AM »
Face it. Anything government does is about taking money from the people and taking more control for themselves. Crimes by definition are harm to other people and property. You cant commit a crime against yourself. Even the dog catcher in Durham thinks he has the right to go on private property and demand ID(which he doesn't). Enough is enough.
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« Chuckde424 wrote on Monday, Nov 23 at 03:01 PM »
How can the city issue citations for doing something that doesn't require a license? In America, we are not required to carry identification just to show up in public. They pull you over for not wearing pads and a helmet and say "son give me your license and registration" and the sakeboarder could legally say "I don't have any license or registration" or "Officer I am 14 years old, so I don't carry ID." They don't have to give identificating information either upon demand by authorities. Hmmm!!!

The only way that this will be workable is if folks are requried to provide ID before skating. That woudl be a downer and an expense that wasn't part if the pla for the park.

Government control freaks . . . you built it . . . they have come . . . now leave it alone. Please. (you posted the sign, now it is on them and if they get hurt)
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« anonymous wrote on Monday, Nov 23 at 08:27 AM »
This is ridiculous....It shouldn't be the police departments responsibility to enforce helmets- it should be under Parks & Rec. And why is the Public Affairs Specialist being quoted in this article if this is the supposed responsibility of the Police Department? If the city is wanting to use the park as a revenue maker, then charge the skaters and have them sign a waiver rather than clogging up our already busy court docket with senseless skate tickets.
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