UNMPD needs proactive approach to stop skaters

Editor,

Last month on the day of UNM’s sustainability festivities, I was walking down the mall when I heard a loud and familiar sound: “clack.” As I got closer, I saw a common sight: skateboarders jumping on and off the base of the “Fiesta Dancers” sculpture across from Popejoy Hall.

Some of them looked familiar. I had seen this group the week before, performing their antics on the same spot. I had phoned the campus police — yes, stunts are against campus regulations — and reported these delinquents that day, which apparently had no effect.

Then yesterday, as I walked south on the mall to meet my wife for dinner after work, I again saw a skateboarder jumping on and off of some of the bancos, despite metal rods added to prevent this. Further on, I spotted a group of boarders seeing how far they could jump off the steps of George Pearl Hall, our new architecture building.

I again phoned the UNMPD dispatcher, who said he would send someone out. But the scofflaws had plenty of time to disperse before anyone showed up.

What is wrong with this picture? Obviously the “reactive approach” — waiting until one sees vandalism before contacting the police — is not effective at controlling this problem.

How about a “proactive” approach? Regular patrolling of the campus, for example. I think there is virtually no patrolling during the daytime on campus. I’ve worked at UNM for nine years and could count on one hand the number of times I’ve ever seen a UNMPD officer. And yes, I’ve tried just asking violators to stop, pointing out that they were damaging public property and suggesting they go to one of the local skateboard parks. For my efforts I’ve been called names and even threatened with violence.

The days of respect for authority are long gone, so it falls to the cops.
I think police officers on foot or bikes, frequently moving around campus, would be a more effective deterrent. As it stands now, certain areas have become popular spots for jackass-type tricks.

One can easily see where the base of the fiesta statue has been blackened by skateboards. Soon they will have to add metal bars to prevent it, as was done around the “Is It Art?” sculptures.

All of the main pedestrian areas could be easily covered and certain areas could get extra attention — the SUB mall and Smith Plaza, for example. Plus they could head towards any loud “clack” sound. While they’re at it, they could stop smokers in nonsmoking areas.

Why is there no patrolling? I understand that UNMPD has about 30 officers — where are they? What do they do all day? UNM is not a quiet campus in a sleepy college town. This is an open campus in an urban area that has a crime rate above the national average, situated along a street well-known for panhandlers and drunks. You would think there would be regular patrolling after a student was stabbed on campus last year.

Just consider the liability. I often see skateboarders that are definitely below college age, especially in the summer after school lets out. What if one of them breaks an arm doing stunts on campus? Don’t think their parents wouldn’t sue UNM. It would be much less expensive to prevent this problem. I wonder if Chief of Police Kathy Guimond has any answers to my questions.

Larry Compton
UNM staff member