By: Tarah Waters
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Hunter McRae/Colorado Springs Gazette/KRT
Newport, R.I.- Jay Nippert, a Salve Regina University security officer, still remembers that day in 1988 when he was skateboarding in Freebody Park on Middleton Avenue in Newport. It was a sunny and warm day, the perfect conditions for skateboarding. As he was enjoying his skateboard a cop passed by Nippert, got out and ripped the skateboard out from under his feet giving him a ticket and a court date.
Skateboarding and long boarding are a main way of transportation for many Salve Regina students. On any day when walking on Salve’s campus one is likely to see at least three people using their skateboard or long board to get to class, back to a dorm or to Miley for a quick bite. It is the fastest way to travel when cars are inaccessible. However, the city ordinance that has been in effect since the 1980s may cause some students to think twice before stepping onto the board. The ordinance states: A Newport City Ordinance prohibits skateboarding on all city streets. This includes all streets that intersect with Salve Regina campus. This is an ordinance violation whereby city police officers may issue a ticket summoning you to municipal court to pay a fine. Alex Williams, a sophomore at Salve Regina University and a long time skate boarder chafes at the city ordinance. “In a society that seems to be obsessed with so many bad activities, I think it is wonderful that a skateboarding community gets so much pleasure from such a healthy and morally acceptable activity,” Williams said. He explained that skateboarding holds a high value in his life serving as his main mode of transportation and stress relief. He believes that the new city ordinance could cause issues especially in the winter when kids, as temperatures start to drop kids, are going to be less likely to attend class. Skateboards in his opinion were away to cut down on the low attendance issues because it is a faster way to class which means less time to spend in the cold. Williams said that the new ordinance would not stop him from skateboarding. Though he understands the significance of safety he believes that the Newport City Police should be more lenient when enforcing the ordinance. John Mixter, head of Salve’s Safety and Security, spoke about the ordinance, recalling when a student was clipped by a side view mirror on campus. “If I had done nothing to inform the students and another accident would have occurred, I would have felt responsible,” Mixter said. He explained that the safety and security office wanted to assure students that Salve’s campus is a safe place to skate however all skateboarders must still be aware of their surroundings. He stressed especially being safe on Ochre Point Ave because of the larger tourist and student traffic. “The safety of the students is our primary concern,” Mixter said. “The reason we posted the signs throughout campus was simply to educate the students. If an e-mail was to be sent out, the story would be brushed off much like other emails sent out by the security office.” As for the Newport City police, they plan on simply keeping an eye on those who are skateboarding on city streets. Anthony Moran, a senior at Salve Regina University, interns with the police department three days a week. He is an administration of justice major and holds knowledge on the ways police in Newport enforce laws. He assures that no skateboards will be taken by the police. However, they will be looking out for the safety of all skateboarders. He said that if the police see a situation that seems unsafe, they will be sure to mention something to the skateboarder. Another issue that has arisen is hanging on to the back of cars and trolleys Moran explained. If an officer sees this there is no doubt that the skateboarder will be ticketed and/or sent to court. This is a very reckless and immature act, Moran stated. Those who think they can get away with it are mistaken. The police are here to keep the residents of Newport safe. After graduation, Moran said he hopes to be working for the Newport police. Newport saw a large jump in skateboarding in the 1980s causing the city ordinance to come in effect. The ordinance was created after city officials received a large amount of complaints from local residents. Signs informing the students of the city ordinance have been posted throughout campus and also have been discussed during floor meetings in the residence halls.
