by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
UNM Physical Plant spent more than $5,000 last year repairing building damages created by skateboarders.
Joel Straquadine, manager of facilities maintenance, said that money could be used for better things, like repairs and paint jobs to old buildings.
"Not only do they do a share of damage, but we put a share of funds toward the damage," he said. "Last week I could have used the money on roofs."
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He said $2,000 was put toward the Cornell Parking Structure for about 100 feet of anti-skid coating on the steps, which keeps people from slipping and deters skateboarders from doing tricks. He said the sandpaper makes it difficult to perform tricks.
"It just tears the heck out of a skateboard," Straquadine said. "It works as a good deterrent."
The anti-skid coat was placed on the stairs because skateboarders would wax the edges to grind, he said.
"I think there are places where they can skateboard without causing damage," Straquadine said. "With wax and rain it becomes slippery."
Straquadine said the most damage caused by skateboarders was in 2003. He said there was $22,000 worth of damages - most of the money went toward repairing Johnson Center's stucco walls.
"The skateboarders were hitting the wall by the rope course," he said. "The stucco was falling off."
Skateboarders often damage walls when they try to do tricks, because they send the skateboard flying toward a structure's wall, Straquadine said.
He said money to make repairs caused by vandalism comes from the state.
Elias Jaramillo, a UNM freshman, said he should have the right to do skateboard tricks on campus - because he can.
"It's an art form, whether you believe that or not," said Jaramillo, while attempting to do a kick-flip with his board.
Jaramillo said if skateboarders can hurt themselves doing tricks, there is no point in worrying about damage to a building.
"If I'm not going to care for my body, why should I care for some building?" he said.
Cmdr. James Daniels of the UNM Police Department said he didn't know how many skateboard-related citations are reported each week, but said they are dangerous to people passing by.
"If they slip, the board becomes a projectile," Daniels said. "It's so dangerous. We've had incidents where people have gotten hurt."
Daniels said when skateboarders do tricks they can abuse buildings, and it is considered vandalism. Skateboarders commuting to classes is fine, he said.
"Skateboards are allowed to be used for transportation to and from class," Daniels said. "We will remove them from campus if they are doing tricks. We can arrest them and take them to jail depending on the circumstance."
Skateboarders can be kicked off campus, he said, and can be charged with criminal trespassing if they are caught back on campus.
Justin Stewart, a UNM senior who rides to his classes on a longboard, said there is a place for those who want to do tricks.
"They don't need to be doing it on the buildings," he said. "The University is not a skate park."
