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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As a student intern working with the Community Policing Officers in Downtown Hilo, I have <br /> <br /> frequently walked about the downtown area during the day, as well as at night with the Citizen's Patrols. <br /> <br /> <br /> I recall that when this Bill was first introduced, there was a question of whether it was a <br /> <br /> transportation issue. I would like to clearly state that it is not. Since I began my irdem a few months ago, I <br /> <br /> have yet to see anybody use the skateboards for transportation purposes. Rather, they are seen staying in <br /> the same place for extended periods of time attempting potentially dangerous stunts, which become even <br /> -FREC8VM VII <br /> more so when taking into account the locations at which they most frequently skate. liy <br /> it <br /> County Council <br /> A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reported the number of skateboarding injuries has <br /> <br /> increased from 16,000 in 1983 to 56,435 injuries in 1992, most of which were head injuries. The study <br /> <br /> recommends that skating be done in areas away from pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic. <br /> <br /> <br /> The skaters are ofien seen along the downtown streets, jumping back and forth from the sidewalk <br /> <br /> to the roadway, or in driveways, where they use the depression in the curb as a ramp from which to launch <br /> off. Sometimes as they skate down a sidewalk, pedestrians find themselves having to jump off the <br /> <br /> sidewalk to avoid being run over. In speaking with pedestrians who encounter this, I have received stories <br /> <br /> of the skaters being very rude and vulgar when asked to discontinue their hazardous behavior. A couple of <br /> weeks ago, I personally observed a skater attempting to jump down some steps, whereupon his skateboard <br /> <br /> flew out across the street, and the skater had to chase after it into the street. Fortunately, there were no can <br /> <br /> passing at the time. <br /> <br /> <br /> Clearly, something must be done to ensure public safety in this matter, and this Bill would be the <br /> perfect tool to begin with. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> I believe the penalties suggested by this Bill to be both reasonable and necessary. The intent here <br /> is not to go about destroying skateboards and preventing kids from having fun. Rather, the penalties are <br /> <br /> designed as a deterrent to skateboarding in dangerous environmenis. The combination of the fines and the ~y <br /> <br /> Comm No. 6 O • 10 6 <br /> Z <br /> File No. N C C <br /> Anf. Tot Pras"ted CovNCs, <br /> Rat. Date_ OCT 7 M <br />