A Story That Needs To Have A Happy Ending

I believe the following story to be true. It was told to me by the father of the child involved and it goes something like this.

A young child is enjoying outdoor playtime and was riding their scooter on the sidewalk in a residential section of Buckhannon. The scooter was not motorized and you propelled it by pushing ahead with one foot.

While on routine patrol, one of Buckhannon's police officers noticed the child riding on the sidewalk. The officer stopped and informed the child that riding on the sidewalks of Buckhannon was not allowed. The officer advised the child that riding in the street was permitted or at the skate park adjacent to Jawbone park. And lastly the child was told that the officer had the authority to confiscate the child's scooter. One of the child's parents has discussed the incident with Chief Gregory.


To have a happy ending I think our city ordinance for sidewalk use needs to be examined. I have not researched the ordinance but I would make this a priority if elected to council. I know that there is a "no bicycle, no skate board" restriction for Main Street and I think this is appropriate as there is substantial pedestrian traffic. But I have to think it's okay for our children to ride and play on sidewalks in residential areas. It may be that our sidewalk ordinance allows bicycle riding in residential areas. Time will tell.


Another happy ending to this story would see a change in our policing policies and procedures. This story should never have happened. I don't see a community minded police approach in this incident and the idea that our officers are community ambassadors is lost on strict enforcement.


I relay this story fully realizing I have received information from only one side of the equation and I may be too quick to jump into uncharted waters but I feel compelled to share this unfortunate incident.