By Kristin Bigsby

The first person to receive a ticket for skateboarding in Haines could face a fine of up to $300 for breaking borough code.

Nineteen-year-old Kirk Opheim was cited Aug. 24 for riding his skateboard on a city street. The boarder said he was unfairly singled out for doing something "kids do every day."

"Out of 20 or 30 skaters, I’m the first one that’s gotten a fine," Opheim said. "I was skateboarding from Video 144 across the street and around the corner to Third Ave., down the shoulder or parking area or whatever it is right by the school. (The officer) passed six people skateboarding on the sidewalk to get to me."

Police Chief Greg Goodman said Opheim was picked from the crowd simply because "he’s been warned before."

"The city fathers who wrote the code did so for a reason," Goodman said. He called skateboarding dangerous, citing it as a public health hazard.

"The police said the reason it was illegal in the city of Haines is we were a hazard to ourselves, other people and cars," Opheim said. "But I know more people who have been hit riding bikes by cars than on skateboards. If they’re going to make skateboarding illegal, bike riding should be, too."

Bicycles, however, "do not become missiles when you step off them," Goodman said.

"It doesn’t stop until it hits something," he said. "Skateboards are extremely dangerous, not just for the rider who runs the risk of injury. It’s going to scare some poor driver who may be inexperienced or old or frightened, and cause an accident. I think this law’s a good one."

Because Opheim believes so strongly that skateboarding should be a legal means of transportation, he’s circulating a petition for the cause.

"I use a skateboard every day for transportation, when it’s not raining," he said. "I don’t have a bike or a car… I’d rather skateboard. It’s my way of keeping me in shape."

So far, he’s gathered nearly 30 signatures, but his petition does not meet procedural requirements.

To change the skateboard law, Opheim would need to sponsor an initiative petition, which, before it circulates, must be approved by the borough.

But municipal clerk Julie Cozzi said borough officials are taking the petition seriously.

Shortly after he received his citation, Opheim met with borough manager Keith Bettridge, who has assigned Goodman to contact neighboring communities to find out how they handle similar situations.

Goodman encourages skateboarders to utilize the skate park at Oslund Park, the designated area for skateboarding.

"It may not be conveniently located," Goodman said. "I know it’s hard to get to, but it’s there for that purpose. The borough was never under any obligation to provide for that user group. Normally, if someone wants something they need to take the initiative to organize the drive to get that."

But Opheim said the Oslund Park facility—a single wooden half-pipe atop a concrete slab, put together this summer— is "not worth skating or walking a mile to get out to it."

Goodman said he recognizes the skateboarders feel a change is needed and he will "respect that when and if it happens."

He added he’s been riding skateboards since 1963.

"The first one I ever owned, I took a roller skate apart, nailed it to a flat piece of wood. I was stopped by an officer in 1963 and told not to ride on the street or sidewalk. Things haven’t changed much in 40 years."