Letters – September 8, 2017

Skateboarding: Dangerous and Illegal

Dear Editor,

I am appalled that you would publish such a misleading, and one-sided article about skateboarding Tuna Canyon. It is a dangerous and illegal activity and is not welcomed by the community.

Contrary to what the article states, it is prohibited by LA County Code 15.54.010:

Skateboards—Prohibited on greater than three-percent grade. No person shall ride on or propel any skateboard, as defined in Section 15.08.185, on any county road, street, highway, lane or alley which has a grade in excess of three percent, nor shall any person ride on or propel any skateboard on any county road, street, highway, lane or alley in excess of 10 miles per hour.”

The skateboarding activity noticeably increased when Tuna Canyon was reopened as a one-way road and social media has only made it worse. There have been many incidents involving uphill cars and skateboarders. I have been passed on the left while making a left turn into my driveway and have had many near misses over the years. It is very difficult to get any law enforcement action because, by the time they show up the boarders are long gone. It would be far safer if they confined their illegal activity to the one-way portion of the road.

I would encourage anyone who has any problems with them to contact Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s field office as well as calling the sheriffs and CHP.

I might expect a reporter would talk to the Sheriff’s Department about the legality and not rely on anecdotal information [or] contact the fire department to find out about paramedic calls involving skateboarders. There were no interviews with residents or people using the parkland who would have an opinion on the subject. Fox News is more fair and balanced.

 

—Larz Anderson

 

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