HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0968.004 1996-1998
SKATEBOARDING TESTIMONY
Some of you here believe that police should leave the skateboarders alone and worry about other
things. The fact is that police have been called by the community and have been spending a lot of time
attempting to resolve concerns about skateboarding in Downtown Hilo. Is skateboarding safe in
Downtown Hilo? The facts I am about to present will show that skateboarding in Downtown Hilo is a
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nuisance and is dangerous to pedestrians as well as the skateboarders. m„` By
Count' Council
It is clear that skateboarding is a nuisance and a concern in the Downtown Hilo area. So far in
1998 we have had 37 Complaints about skateboarders in various parking lots, and sidewalks in
Downtown Hilo.
Skateboarding in Downtown Hilo has also proved to be dangerous to pedestrians and
skateboarders. Officer Apele has already mentioned to you about the traffic accident on Waianuenue
Avenue, and the skateboarder riding into a pedestrian on Kamehameha Avenue.
In early September, 1 was patrolling in my car in the Downtown Hilo area. I almost ran into a
skateboarder on the roadway within Furneaux Lane. He did a "launch" off of the sidewalk onto the
roadway, landing a few feet from my car. Fortunately, 1 did not hit the skateboarder with my car.
Although he was warned, I later saw him on Shipman Street doing the same thing. Warning skateboarders
do not make a difference. Consequences are needed to ensure compliance.
We have tried many different ways to prevent these incidents from occurring, we have warned
skateboarders of the dangers, however, they continue to place themselves and others in harm. They refuse
to accept responsibility when these incidents do occur. They do not respect the property of some
businesses and continue to damage property despite the requests from the businesses and police.
Despite our efforts to warn skateboarders and provide a site where they can skate, Skateboarders
continue to cause disorder in Downtown Hilo. < aowZ IQ~ 68 05(
FYIe No.- 14 CC
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Ftt. Date OCT 7 1998
SKATEBOARDING TESTIMONY
What is the result of a little untended disorder? An increase in crime.
For those of you skeptics who do not believe that a little disorder may increase crime in the long
run, I quote from an article called "Broken Windows. " It is a study of crime written by James Q Wilson
and George Kelling in the March 1982 issue of the Atlantic Monthly. They suggest that `untended'
behavior leads to the breakdown of community controls:
"A stable neighborhood can change, in a few years or even a few months, to an
inhospitable and frightening jungle. A piece of property is abandoned, weeds grow up, a window
is smashed. Adults stop scolding rowdy children; the children, emboldened, become more rowdy.
Families move out, unattached adults move in. Teenagers gather in front of the corner store. The
merchant asks them to move; they refuse. Fights occur. Litter accumulates. People start drinking
in front of the grocery; in time, an inebriate slumps to the sidewalk and is allowed to sleep it off.
Pedestrians are approached by panhandlers."
"At this point it is not inevitable that serious crime will flourish or violent attacks on strangers
will occur,"
-Broken Windows
George Kelling, and James Q. Wilson
March 1982, Atlantic Monthly
If a group of people cannot be responsible, respect the property of others, or control themselves
so that they do not place members of the public and themselves in danger, then it is necessary for our
County to take the necessary steps that will prevent harm and danger to our citizens and visitors.
Moses Kaoiwi Jr.
October 7, 1998