Skateboarding is not a crime…or is it?

If you’ve hopped on your skateboard and ventured outside the confines of the skate park or your private property, you know that skateboarding isn’t smiled upon by the rest of the community. “No skateboarding” signs and skatestoppers are familiar sites in most parks and on other city property. Skaters are often ostracized, hassled, and likened to thugs and hooligans.  

It’s true that some obnoxious skaters can terrorize a community; but most of us are respectful individuals just looking to have fun. It’s understandable that law enforcement, city officials, and business owners lump us into the same group of troublemakers.

According to Dallas city code 1941, Art. 140-11, you may not skate in any city street, except when crossing at an authorized crossing. And if you’re riding on the sidewalk, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians.

For their own safety, most skaters know to stay out of streets and off sidewalks. But skaters can find themselves in hot water when they visit Dallas’ skate spots. The list below, courtesy of the City of Dallas, outlines a variety of offenses and their respective fines which skaters can be given.  

Up to $200 fine

·         failure to yield to pedestrians

Up $500 fine

·         trespassing on school grounds

·         criminal trespassing

·         obstruction of street or passageway

·         disorderly conduct

·         endangering park patrons

·         loitering

·         criminal mischief (damage to property)

Up to $2,000 fine

• breaking a park’s curfew

Before visiting the “Spot of the Week: Verizon Gap” in Coppell, TX, be aware of the city’s skateboarding laws. Coppell’s city ordinance number 2008-1200 states that skateboards shall not be ridden “upon any sidewalk, pathway, monument, amphitheater, stairway, handrail, wall, fountain, roadway, and other structures” including anywhere in the Town Center Complex, MacArthur Park, Andrew Brown East, Andrew Brown Central, Wagon Wheel Park, designated playgrounds, or any parking lot owned by the city.

Similar to Coppell, Lewisville has laws restricting skateboarding within city-owned property. In regards to skating on private property, the City of Lewisville website states “no person shall operate a skateboard…on private property without first obtaining permission from the owner, agent of the owner, or other person authorized to give permission.”

We don't advocate breaking the law. Always get permission from the owners of private property, and know, and follow the rules of the cities you skate in. If you happen have a police encouter, stay cool, be respectful, and they are usually pretty understanding. Unless you get officer Dick; then you're SOL.

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