Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE -ÊSyracuse Town Marshal Tom Perzanowski wants to add inline skating and scooters to the town's skateboarding ordinance.
On Tuesday, he sought input from the town council regarding adding the two recreational activities to the ordinance and enforcement of the regulations.
He said the town's current regulations only address skateboarding, not inline skaters or scooters, with which the town is having trouble.
Users are reportedly moving around town in large packs and not following rules. Perzanowski said it isn't just children under age 18, but adults as well. They're riding on sidewalks, alleys, streets and parking lots. The schools have banned them from their property, but if they get kicked out of one place, Perzanowski said, they move to another. "It's becoming more of a nuisance."
The current regulations prohibit any person to ride, operate or use a skateboard on any property owned by or under the control of the town, including streets, public rights of way, sidewalks or parking lots.
Violation of the ordinance is subject to a maximum fine of $100.
Any officer within the town, when they are satisfied that a child under 18 has ridden a skateboard in violation, may impound the skateboard for up to five days for the first offense.
Carol Koble, town councilwoman, said scooters are a way of transportation for some children. She said she has mixed feelings about any more regulations.
Chairwoman of the council, Barbara Carwile, said she's been looking into the issue for a couple months and said she'd like to see the town set up a skateboard park. However, she said, she can't come up with any property to use. The town, she said, would cover the liability insurance for the property, but the users would have to provide town council-approved the ramps and jumps.
"The kids have no place to go," she said.
A park, however, would not change what Perzanowski is trying to do regarding safety in town, Carwile said.
Town manager Brian Redshaw said one concern of skaters is when they come down the hill on Harrison Street really fast and it's hard for them to stop, he said.
Koble said that while safety is a concern, "I hate to see everything cut out for kids."
When the ordinance was set up, it was about the time "everyone was into skateboarding and we were putting in new pavement," she said.
More time is needed to think about the issue, said Koble.
There are places in Syracuse, councilman Paul Stoelting said, that are dangerous for the skaters and scooter riders, but the town needs to find places for them.
Perzanowski told the council he can research what other municipalities are doing regarding the issue and enforcement of the regulations and report to the council at its June meeting.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce director Steven Hite asked if a skateboard committee could be started to work on the issue. The committee would involve the children so they can take part in the decision and take responsible for what they are doing.
No action was taken on the committee issue.
A boy told the council signs need to be put up so skaters and scooter riders know of the violations.
Koble made a motion to allow officers to assess a $25 fine for skateboard infractions until the ordinance is clarified and settled. The council approved by a vote of 4 to 1, with Stoelting opposed.
