Skateboarders facing $1,000 fine for defacing Philly public property

Philadelphia City Council has voted to impose hefty fines on skateboarders who deface public art and memorials.

 

 

The bill approved Thursday specifies a $1,000 fine for those skateboard, bike or rollerblade on property where it’s clearly prohibited.

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It is primarily aimed at keeping skateboarders from grinding down public property.

Among those testifying for the bill was veteran Chris Hill.

“Shouldn’t the penalties for vandalizing the memorials to our brave fellow Philadelphians be commensurate to their sacrifice?” Hill said.

Claire Laver of Franklin’s Paine Skatepark Fund says the fine is too high even though it is half of what was first proposed.

“We believe that through better signage and communication we can achieve these goals working together rather than with harsher legislation,” Laver said. “While $1,000 is lower than the $2,000 fine … it would become the highest fine in the nation for anything related to skateboarding.”

The bill now goes to Mayor Michael Nutter for his approval.

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