June 6, 2007

Nassau County Legislators Ban Skateboarding and Rollerblading on Nassau Community College Campus

At this week’s Legislative Meeting, Legislator Richard Nicolello joined in a unanimous vote to approve a new ordinance to prohibit skateboarding and rollerblading at the Nassau Community College campus.  According to the Nassau County Police Department’s Public Safety Office, the campus attracts riders from all over the region and is listed on the internet as a hot spot for skateboarders.  Most of the people who skateboard or rollerblade at Nassau Community College are not students at the College. 

This usage of the campus as a skate-park has caused costly damage to campus structures, including benches, stairs and railings.  The skating has also resulted in many injuries to riders, is hazardous to innocent bystanders, and has resulted in at least one lawsuit against the county.   

This ban will protect the health and safety of the students and faculty, and reduce the burden on the taxpayers who support the college.  The legislation provides that no one may operate a skateboard or rollerblades within campus buildings, on campus stairs or benches, on campus railings or banisters, or on campus sidewalks, walls or ramps.  Fines for noncompliance start at $350.   

“The Nassau Community College campus was not constructed to be a skate park.  Therefore, it is not equipped with the proper precautions for recreational use by skateboarders and rollerbladers.  I believe that this ban will prevent many unwanted injuries and will make the campus safer for students and faculty,” said Legislator Nicolello.