FAQ: at the U

Q & A: skateboards on campus

Q: I’ve noticed a decreased UW police presence when skateboarders descend on Red Square and turn it into a skateboarding park. Late afternoon and particularly 5 p.m. seem to be the boarders’ happy hour. It used to be that you would see police officers shooing them away, but I haven’t observed that for many months. What gives?

A: Yes there has been an increase of skateboarding on Red Square with the wonderful weather. UWPD is trying very hard to stay on top of it. It is against the rules to skateboard on campus. Warnings are usually given for the first time, but for the second offense, the skateboards are confiscated and citations are given. In addition, Facility Services is going to install some anti-skateboard devices to cut down on the abuse of University property. It would be helpful to UWPD to let us know when the skateboarders return. The skateboarders play a cat-and-mouse game with the officers trying to avoid being caught.

Vicky M. Peltzer,
Chief of Police

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