College of Charleston students get around in different ways, skateboarding being one of them. Skateboarding has been a popular mode of transportation for many students. What these skate boarders did not know is that skateboarding in downtown Charleston was and is illegal and has been fined up to $1,082.
The Charleston City Council has recently proposed an amendment to the code of the City of Charleston, South Carolina, Chapter 19, sections 91 and 92. These codes cover skateboards, bicycles and motorized toy vehicles as well as designate a maximum fine of $50. The previous ordinance stated:
“No person shall skate on any roadway or sidewalk, except those areas designated as skating zones by the department of traffic and transportation,” according to Code 1975, § 33-170.
Many skateboarders in Charleston have been skateboarding to class for years without being aware of this. It has not been until recently that Charleston City Police have started fining for skateboarding on the streets or sidewalks of downtown Charleston.
As no fine was attached to the previous ordinance, the City’s general penalty ordinance applied. The general penalty ordinance permits a fine in the amount of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail. The actual fine is fixed at the judge’s discretion. With state fees applied a $500 fine becomes $1,082.
Though the fine will be reduced, many skateboarders are not pleased. “I don’t see why I should be fined for getting from point A to point B; I haven’t hurt anyone,” senior Jason Embs said.
Should this mode of transportation for many be deemed illegal on the streets and sidewalks of downtown Charleston? No. The City of Charleston police should be preventing theft and crime, not giving out fines to people for skateboarding.
With skateboarding does come a possible risk of injury. The risk of injury comes with any mode of transportation, even walking. This has not stopped people from driving cars and motorcycles, running with scissors, or walking on downtown Charleston’s uneven brick sidewalks.
The recently proposed amendment to the ordinance even covers, defines and rules illegal motorized toy vehicles powered by 12-volt batteries. These are child’s toys, why should they be ruled illegal in the streets of downtown Charleston? Why are children playing with these toys in the streets anyway? This is more of a case of bad parenting than an issue pertaining to the city council.
Charleston’s City Council needs to grow up and stop toying around with the law and focus on real issues, not skateboarding and child’s toys.