Los Alamitos : Curbs for Skaters and Skateboarders

The City Council has tentatively approved an ordinance banning roller-skating and skateboarding in certain areas of the city.

The council, in approving the ordinance unanimously this week, was responding to growing complaints by citizens and business owners about property damage and inconvenience caused by roller skaters and skateboarders, officials said.

Police Cmdr. Gary Biggerstaff said most of the complaints came from owners of businesses near Katella Avenue and Siboney Street.

“I don’t think these kids are there to damage property,” Biggerstaff said. “It’s just the result of what they do.”

Biggerstaff said the teen-agers, particularly skateboarders, skid along the edgings of retaining walls and curbs, causing damage after repeated jumps. In addition, he said, police have received complaints from business owners about broken windows and other property damage.

Biggerstaff said there was not much the police could do in the absence of a city ordinance prohibiting roller-skating and skateboarding in that area of the city.

The council is expected to formally adopt the ordinance on April 26. It would take effect 30 days after that.

With the ordinance, Los Alamitos would join Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Seal Beach, which have enacted similar ordinances restricting skateboarding and roller-skating.

Violations of the ordinance are considered infractions. The first violation is punishable by a $25 fine. A $50 fine will be imposed on the second violation.