NJ: sick of cops?

greeneggsandham · 07-21-2009, 01:06 AM

What can we do to avoid the man inhibiting our skate?

So I am thinking, in all my time spent, there is extremely rarely a flat out definition of what we are allowed to do and where we are allowed to do it. I've read of people being ticketed for being in the street, and also on sidewalks/in parking lots. Around my house there are bicycle trails that I have been kicked off of multiple times, both by police and workers.
What are we permitted to do and where can we do it? Is skateboarding technically illegal everywhere? Could I be ticketed for skateboarding? Now why is riding a bicycle legal?

I've been stopped for skateboarding on the street, on the sidewalk, at a dead end, and in a parking lot. So far every time has just been asking to leave (which of course is expected 90% of the time), but where are we permitted to ride if at all?

Typically to avoid the confrontation in general I've been skating around 2-5 am, getting home before rush hour. If I am stopped I take my headphones out if I have them with me, turn my music off, hold the board in my hand and stop. I also skate in the day, but 1/5 days of the week (if it's a good week) I am confronted.

I longboard generally to commute green, but also of course just to have a good time.

Now why are we different from bikes? Inability to stop? Foot breaking is fine at slower speeds, which are usually when an officer stops me. Bikes don't always break either/a hard stop could cause injury just as not stopping on a board can. Is it the numbers of adults vs children/teenagers?

In the years I've skated so far, I have seen nothing change (where I am); so, what can be done to improve these conditions? I was told that I was not allowed to skateboard in Red Bank, NJ yesterday at all and to skateboard in another town.
Why is Red Bank special? I shouldn't be expected to walk out of Red Bank. If I can skate in another town, I should be allowed to skate in Red Bank. I saw no posted laws.

In fact, I looked on the Red Bank website (redbanknj.org) and had no luck finding the so called "skateboarding law". I both browsed and used the search function. I do; however, know that I can be charged with several things for defying an officers orders... Now how the hell does that work? If a cop tells me to stick my $$$$ in an electrical socket, can I be charged with disorderly conduct for keeping it in my pants?

Really makes no sense, if there isn't a law against it, do I risk being arrested (OR WORSE--- FINED) to continue skateboarding, or am I allowed to just skate?

I am wondering if anybody would assist in a petition if there is some basis to have something written up giving us rights/laws like cyclists--- is it worth it?

This is not just crying because the kids wouldn't share their sandbox with me, but because they wouldn't share the beach. (metaphors and such)

TLDR: What basis is there to arrest/force out skateboarders, do we have to leave when told, and what can we do to rectify it?

bradley13148 · 07-22-2009, 06:10 PM

Next time you are confronted by an officer, you should ask them for the specific code of law that you can look up, so that you can fully understand the laws pertaining to skating. Try and look under state laws, county laws, and town laws. If you find anything in any of these set of laws, commit it to memory, including the code #, so that when asked by a police officer to leave where you are skating, you can quote the code to prove you are allowed to be there. They all have computers and can reference the laws you give them on the spot (unless its a bike cop). In NY there are very few state laws, just that visible clothing should be worn after sundown, and if a helmet is worn, it must meet or exceed snell or DOT standards. There are no laws prohibiting skateboarding in the street, and the local laws to sidewalks only say you should be traveling under 5mph. If you have tried researching laws and find absolutely nothing, explain this to the officer very politely, and ask him for specific law codes when he tells you the "laws", as most will try and make things up to get you to leave. When you know the laws, and you are within your rights, there is nothing a policeman can do to you beyond harassment. Just always be polite, and inform them that you are longboarding, not skateboarding. If you give respect to the officer, and act intelligently, they are 90% likely to have a positive response. Respect gets respect. Knowing the laws, and educating as many people in the local scene as possible, skaters and cops alike, is your best bet for a "friendly" riding environment.

Cann0n · 07-22-2009, 06:38 PM

LOL. Have you dont that? It's criminal tresspassing in MOST cases. I couldn't tell you how many times I have been confronted (16 years of skating worth).
In the street it could be obstruction of traffic. Some ordinances don't allow you to ride on side walks.
It also could be loitering. There are even private properly laws that prevent it, since people could get hurt on their property and file a lawsuit. That's common for basically anywhere you go unless it's for skating.
I've even gotten in trouble at parks...

You can argue ALL you want, but it wont do you any good. Resisting will just get you in more trouble or make it worst for the next person that gets in trouble.

Also, pay close attention to signs posted on the property you are skating at.

Most of the time they are real nice about it. Tell them you didn't know. Find a new place to skate at. Leave walking. I don't want to get my ass in a pickle for some skater punk before me vandalizing #### or causing a ruckus.

a_d_smooth · 07-22-2009, 08:25 PM

YOU NEED TO GO TO THE TOWN HALL OF RED BANK AND ASK TO SEE THEIR BOOK OF ORDINANCES. LOOK UP SKATEBOARDING... AND IF APPLICABLE, HAVE THEM MAKE A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE FOR YOU. WHAT YOU'LL READ BELOW IS THE NJ STATE LAW REGARDING SKATEBOARDING; TO SUM IT UP--- IT SAYS SKATEBOARDING IS ALLOWABLE ON ANY ROADWAY UNDER 25 MPH AND IS TO HAVE THE SAME PRIVILEDGES OF VEHICLES SHARING THAT ROADWAY. SO TECHNICALLY YOU HAVE TO OBEY THE SPEED LAWS AND RED LIGHTS AND SUCH. IT ALSO GOES ON TO SAY THAT EACH TOWN IN NJ IS ALLOWED TO AMMEND THE STATE LAW AND CREATE INDIVIDUAL ORDINANCES REGULATING THE USE OF SKATEBOARDS. YOU WON'T FIND ANY MORE SOLID INFO THAN WHAT I JUST WROTE.

READ IT HERE, AND THEN GO READ THE BOOK OF ORDINANCES FROM RED BANK

STATE LAW
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/9899/Bi...000/673_r2.pdf

Cann0n · 07-22-2009, 08:48 PM

The rest falls under what I said.

HEiGHT iZ NaSTy · 07-26-2009, 07:23 PM

I get asked to stop skating in RB all the time. I'm always using my Z-Flex shortboard just to get around. My friends and I take the bus to the beach a lot and having to stop and walk for a while sucks. I'm glad I'm allowed to skate where I live in Little Silver, I'd be pissed.