Advocacy & Safety - New Llano, Louisia: Too much crime, better ban bikes.

This seems unbelieveably idiotic to me.

http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/articles/2007/09/07/news/news1.txt

Top Story
for - Saturday, September 08, 2007

New Llano man concerned about possible bicycle ban
By KELLY MOORE/Staff Writer

Curtis Scott of New Llano rides his bicycle to work every day. If new Llano passes the “no wheels” ordinance he will have to walk.

NEW LLANO - New Llano resident, Curtis Scott is concerned that banning bicycles will do more harm than good when it comes to the people of New Llano.

Scott has lived in New Llano since 2006 and is currently employed at Spirit's West. His only mode of transportation is his bicycle that he rides to and from work and anywhere else he needs to go.

Originally from Baton Rouge Scott moved to New Llano when his daughter and son-in-law were stationed at Fort Polk and his son-in-law was deployed.

“I decided to stay because it is a good place to live. There is low crime and it is just a good place to live,” Scott said.

Scott described how he learned about the proposed ban.

“I was at my house when my roommate told me that I wasn't going to be able to ride my bike to work anymore. I thought they were just talking so I didn't put much thought into it. Then when I got to my job one of my coworkers asked me what I was going to do about coming to work and I learned that New Llano was trying to pass that you can't ride you bike, skateboard or roller-skate anywhere in town,” Scott said.

Scott asked that if the reason to ban wheels is because of the vandalism that is going on in the park why don't the police put a man on foot patrol to catch the people who are causing the damage.

“You don't have to punish everyone just because some people are up to no good. Arrest, fine or punish those people and leave everyone else alone,” Scott said.

“Laws like these are what gives a town a bad name. Just think of all of the kids who aren't going to be able to go out and play now. There are a lot of older people who like to ride their bikes for leisure and many of these people probably choose to live in New Llano because it is a small town and there is low crime.

It normally takes Scott 10 minutes to ride to work, longer if it is raining. If the ban passes he will be forced to walk to work which will double his travel time.

Now when Scott goes to the store he is able to manage 6-8 bags of groceries and other items while riding his bicycle. If he is forced to walk it will be difficult to manage a 20-30 minute walk loaded down with goods.

“It just doesn't seem right that the town can make me suffer for something that others are doing,” Scott said.

Scott suggested that New Llano might try and start a community watch system and to possibly have officers patrol the area more to eliminate the crime, without eliminating the wheels.

“It is wrong to try and punish everyone for what just a few are guilty of doing. I understand that something needs to be done, but taking the rights of the people who voted you into office away is not the right thing,” Scott said.

Scott said that he is planning to attend the public hearing concerning the ordinance on Sept. 25, so he can speak out against it.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Llano,_Louisiana

Here is an earlier story—

http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/articles/2007/08/30/news/news1.txt

No Wheels Allowed
By KELLY MOORE/Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:40 AM CDT
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The New Llano Town Council held their first meeting since their new town hall opened. Their meetings are held at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month. (Leader photo by KELLY MOORE.)
NEW LLANO - The Town of New Llano will soon be off limits to skateboards, roller blades, roller skates and bicycles, unless on private property.

During Tuesday's Town Council meeting, Councilman Charles Balthrop introduced an ordinance that will prohibit the use of skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, bicycles, etc. anywhere in the corporate limits of the Town of New Llano with the exception of the individual's private property.

None of the items listed above are to be used in or around any area of the New Llano Community Park, on any road or street, or on any public property or business/ commercial property.


New Llano Mayor Freddie Boswell said the reason they introduced the ordinance is because the town is being victimized by vandals. “It is mostly the skateboarders who are tearing things up,” Boswell said.

Boswell described how thousands of dollars in damages have been inflicted on the town's property including the water fountain and lighting system in the park.

The water fountain has been repaired at least five times because of vandals and though there is a sign stating that skateboards are prohibited the council feels that unless there are consequences for breaking the skateboard ban the vandalism and disregard for park rules will go on unchecked.



If the ordinance is passed, and once it is implemented, when individuals are found to be breaking the ordinance the first offense will be a $50 fine and/or 30 days in jail. The fine for second offense will be $100 and/or 30 days in jail. The fine will continue to increase by $50 per violation with the maximum not to be more than $300 and/or 30 days in jail.

Boswell confirmed that if individuals are caught in the act of vandalism at the park they will be required to make restitution for any and all needed repairs.

In other council business, an ordinance was introduced setting weight and width limits of vehicles within the town limits.



The town defined excessive weights and widths as:

€ “Gross Weight” means the weight of a vehicle and/or combination of vehicles without load on all axles including the steering axle plus the weight of any load thereon.

€ “Width” means the total outside transverse dimension of a vehicle including any load or load holding devices thereon but excluding approved safety devices and tire bulge due to load.



€ “Load” means a weight or quantity of anything resting upon something else regarded as its support.

The ordinance also prohibits vehicles on any public street inside the town limits with a gross weight in excess of 10 tons.

The width of vehicles traveling within the town limits is limited to 8 ft, 5 inches.



These limits will not apply to La. Hwy. 1211 or U.S. Hwy. 171.

Public hearings on both of these ordinances will be held at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Stupidest thing I've heard of lately. I don't see how the city council of a city of ~2,000 gets off thinking they can supersede their state legislature.


§194. *Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles
Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Chapter, except as to special regulations in this Part and except as to those provisions of this Chapter which by their very nature can have no application.
Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.


If what they really wanted was to stop the vandalism, all they would have to do is increase patrolling the area.

No wonder people are leaving and the population of New Llano is declining.

New Llano Mayor Freddie Boswell said the reason they introduced the ordinance is because the town is being victimized by vandals. “It is mostly the skateboarders who are tearing things up,” Boswell said.

If it's mostly the skateboarders, then why extend it to roller blades, roller skates, bicycles, and etc.? I think there is a better solution. Anyone caught with a skateboard within the New Llano city limits... will be immediately forced to wear a pair of roller blades, have their photo taken and posted on a bill board near the junior and senior high schools. There, that should do it.

Sounds like New Llano could use a political enema.

It would appear that the citizens of New Llano agree with our recations, judging by their responses to the story

I don't know about Louisiana, but in NC, nearly all public roads are STATE maintained, and controlled, not town. This means that towns cannot enact ordinances that would limit what vehicles can travel on public roads. Besides, if their problem is bikes and skateboards tearing up parks, what on earth do they think banning them from roads is going to accomplish. They need to learn to fix the real problem.

Sounds like New Llano could use a political enema.


Along with the rest of this schidthole that is Louisiana.

I guess they figure cars are never used in the commission of crimes

:rolleyes:

I guess they figure cars are never used in the commission of crimes

:rolleyes:

Indeed.

The impression I got from the article was that the main problem is with skateboarders damaging public facilities with their tricks. 'Grinding' can really damage things in short order. The solutions to that problem I've seen in my city is to add features to the edges that make it impossible to do these stunts. Obviously that's too logical for New Llano's Great Thinkers, but then, to decide that banning bikes will solve their problem, logic clearly isn't their strong point.

Yet another example of the "bikes are toys" perception that so many people seem to hold...

The town needed a law in the books to confiscate skateboards. In order for it not to be overturned, they included bikes and skates. Seveal kids will get a warning for "Grinding" and some may get their boards taken away. That's about all.

This guy has nothing to worry.

The town needed a law in the books to confiscate skateboards. In order for it not to be overturned, they included bikes and skates. Seveal kids will get a warning for "Grinding" and some may get their boards taken away. That's about all.

This guy has nothing to worry.

Interesting theory. Do you care to elaborate on your comment? Has this kind of law been put in place elsewhere?

They seem to primarily be concerned with skateboards and bikes tearing up the parks. Why not build a skate park, instead of banning everything? Seems like a simple solution to me.

Has anyone done any reading on the history of the town in question? Interesting stuff.

I recall that banning bicycles was determined to be illegal ... something about limiting transportation. Any lawyers around here?