(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Skatepark safety

Skatepark assault ‘not common’: City Hall

May 10, 2019 | 12:01 PM

Violent incidents at the city’s skatepark, like the one earlier this week involving two teenage boys, are rare according to the city’s director of community services.

Jody Boulet was asked by paNOW to comment on what security measures were in place at the park, and whether the city would be adding more security in response to the incident May 7.

“Staff, security and programming will be commencing soon,” Boulet said in a statement. “These types of incidents are not common and the added presence that comes through these on-site resources will assist with monitoring any unwelcome behaviour. There is also a supervisor staff position in the spring and summer and the city provides programming in partnership with the BMX and Skatepark Association.”

According to police, around 9 p.m. Tuesday, two teenage boys were assaulted and had their scooters stolen. paNOW was initially told the boys were both 16 years old, but has since learned through one of the boys’ families, the boys are actually 14 and 16 years old. The younger of the two boys suffered a swollen eye after getting punched in the face and had a knife held to his throat.

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According to information provided by city hall, security starts on the weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sundays) in May starting May 17, and the security guards will be on duty from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Kiley Bear, the city’s communications manager, informed paNOW the hours are further expanded in June to reflect weather and demand. Security will be on site every day in July and August, before scaling back in September, Bear said.

Rob King’s 12-year-old son has been going to the skatepark every day for the past month and he said he had no concerns about his son’s safety.

“I’ve hung out at the skatepark in years when he’s been younger and I would sit and watch and people who are coming there to use it for its intended use are not trouble makers,” he said.

After the incident this week, King said he talked to son who told him he continues to feel safe at the park.

“From what my son tells me, all the [users of the skatepark] are really respectful and when there are problems, they kind of watch out for each other as a group,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell