Crackdown on Skateboarders in Downtown Corridor Starts Monday

Santa Barbara police are cracking down on skateboarders, in-line skaters, roller skaters and bicyclists in the downtown corridor.

Starting on Monday, police will start giving warnings and handing out flyers to remind local skaters about the regulations and inform people who may be unaware of the municipal code.

The stepped-up enforcement comes because of a recent increase in collisions with pedestrians involving or caused by skateboarders.

Police say skateboarders have hit and injured several people, including the elderly and children, walking in the downtown corridor.

There have also been hundreds of complaints of near-misses in the same areas.

Here are the areas to avoid if you are riding a skateboard, bike or skates in downtown Santa Barbara:

-Sidewalks, walkways, and public ways maintained by the City, bordered by: Sola Street to the north, Chapala Street on the west, Santa Barbara Street on the east, and Cabrillo Blvd. on the south. This area is commonly called the downtown corridor
-The south sidewalk of Cabrillo Blvd, from Santa Barbara Street to Milpas Street
-The sidewalks on either side of Coast Village Road
-The Breakwater; and docks, floats, and ramps in the Harbor
-Any other location posted with prohibitive signs

Police say repeat offenders will be issued a citation. Fines start at 155 dollars.