For years, the Hollister Police Department has received reports
of people on bicycles, scooters and skateboards on the Veterans
Memorial Building property. For the most part, the HPD has let it
slide.
For years, the Hollister Police Department has received reports of people on bicycles, scooters and skateboards on the Veterans Memorial Building property. For the most part, the HPD has let it slide.
Now, after a recently completed $4.4 million renovation of the city-owned downtown landmark, the City Council adopted an ordinance Monday prohibiting the activities on the grounds of the 76-year-old building.
“It’s been a problem for years,” said HPD Capt. Richard Vasquez. “We want to make sure the nice new building won’t be damaged.”
Police have received reports of teenagers riding skateboards and scooters on benches in the plaza area and down stairs that enter the building, according to a staff report.
Anyone caught riding bicycles, skateboards or scooters on the grounds will be ticketed for a misdemeanor offense, according to City Attorney Elaine Cass.
City officials have already banned bicycling and skateboarding in several areas of the downtown district for more than two decades, according to HPD Capt. Bob Brooks.
However, the Veterans Memorial Building was never previously included among the localities enforced, Cass said.
Brooks said such bans exist to protect both pedestrians and riders. At times, Brooks said he has seen youths place ramps and perform jumps outside of the Veterans Memorial Building, which creates a dangerous environment for pedestrians.
Moreover, he said damage can done to the property’s cement and benches.
“The cement wears down,” Brooks said. “It scars it up.”
City Manager Dale Shaddox said a bench on the Veterans Memorial Building grounds has already been damaged since the building’s rededication ceremony two weeks ago.
From the riders’ perspective, Brooks said the activities are dangerous downtown because parking motorists often open car doors without looking in the rearview mirror.
“We don’t want people opening doors of cars and hitting a kid,” Brooks said.
