HUNTINGTON BEACH : Skateboard Issue to Be Raised Again
The City Council tonight is scheduled to again take up the controversial issue of whether to outlaw skateboarding in business areas.
The council deferred action on the issue two weeks ago after numerous skateboarders showed up at a council meeting and protested the proposed restrictions.
At issue are numerous complaints from business owners that skateboard riders are damaging property and endangering pedestrians. The City Council has been under pressure since last November to take some kind of action to restrict skateboarding.
But skateboard advocates two weeks ago told the council that hazardous skateboarding is committed by few riders and urged the council not to institute wide-ranging restrictions.
The measure before the City Council tonight proposes outlawing skateboards, roller skates and roller blades “in any business district” in the city. Santa Ana has had a similar ordinance in effect since 1978.
The proposed Huntington Beach ordinance also would allow police to cite skateboard riders if their activity “threatens injury to persons or property, creates an obstruction or hazard . . . or generates loud or unreasonable noise.”
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