Every skater we’ve spoken to or hung out with during Red Bull Manny Mania has a story about getting hassled by security of some sort. Whether it’s a personal anecdote or something that happened to a friend, no-one has stood on a board outside of a park and not had a run-in with the law.
Whatever it is that the authorities don’t like about skating, there are a few things to keep in mind because for some reason, skaters generally aren’t treated the same as other athletes.
Even though a skater’s natural habitat is the untamed urban landscape, it’s important not to ‘go wild’ wherever you want. Following are a few tips to help you know where you stand with The Man if you do find yourself sessioning and run into a ‘situation’.
Private Property
The bad news is you pretty much have to do what they tell you on private property. If, however, you weren’t aware that you’re on someone else’s property, remember that your constitutional rights are fully relevant. That means that if someone stops you from riding and you agree to leave in a calm and peaceful manner, they can’t hold you against your will, threaten you or confiscate personal property.
Public Property
The first thing to be aware of is if you’re a danger to the safety of others. So if you’re skating around lots of pedestrians and could potentially injure someone, the police can tell you to stop. Secondly, if you’re breaking stuff, the police can lay a charge against you and arrest you. So if you’re doing your thing away from a crowded space and not causing any sort of damage, you have the same rights as everyone else.
Be Cool
The key thing in both these scenarios is your state of mind. If you’re hostile, loud, abusive and threatening, life is going to be difficult. In a nutshell: stay calm and be reasonable.
Have you been hassled by The Man? We’d like to hear your stories, see your pics or check any vids you may have shot of encounters with law enforcement. We’re just curious…
Hassled by The Man?...
Article Details
Related Content
Manny Mania South Africa Finals in Joburg 28 Jun 2011
Manny Mania South Africa came to an end on Sunday, with Cape Town native Moses Adams coming out on top to represent the country at the World Finals in New York. The level was exceptionally high this...
Manny Mania Tricktionary Episode 4 17 Jun 2011
Rising skate star Jean-Marc Johannes brings you the Manny Mania Tricktionary, your guide to perfecting the manual.
Manny Mania Tricktionary Episode 3 10 Jun 2011
Rising skate star Jean-Marc Johannes brings you the Manny Mania Tricktionary, your guide to perfecting the manual.
Manny Mania Setups (Part Two) 01 Jun 2011
Skating is about personal expression. A dozen people can do the exact same thing and it’ll look different every time. Part of that is their personal style, and the execution of that style is achieved...
Comments
Add a comment