Unfortunately the helmet law that was enacted with the help of Jim Fitzpatrick and IASC will be enforced by LAPD starting on Dec.1st. VSA is voicing concern over LAPD policing policy to LA City Council and Mayor's office as the stance LAPD is taking is outright profiling. The specific concern is creating an environment of criminality by issuing tickets to kids and adults in the skatepark (when others outside the skatepark are not subject to the same ordinance).What we do not want is a 3.5 million dollar skatepark that is not used because of police action, just take a look at the Culver City Skatepark. The VSA is of the opinion that the helmet law is unfair and was enacted without proper research and should be investgated for conflict of intrest and other inappropriate intrests of IASC.Perhaps you are unaware but skateboarding has been included in the hazardous activities list which is a list of activities that an assumed risk is involved in participation of said sport.This being the case the municipality is released from injury or death liability. This inclusion in (HAL) is enough protection and any criminalizing of skateboarding is highly unadvisable.The VSA is in favor of an ordinace that is akin to the helmet law in place for bikes-18 and younger wear helmets. An adult can make their own decision.
1 comment:
I think that enforcing helmet laws only results in an excuse for the police to come down on the skaters. When the cops roll up to skateparks with helmet laws, they are not worried about the kids' heads getting cracked open. They are there to give out costly tickets. The skaters without helmets see the fuzz and start running- making them into criminals. It's not right, plain and simple. Think about all the dangers at playgrounds, yet no helmets or pads are required there. Should the surfers have to wear brain buckets? Let's be that "free country" we are so proud of.
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