Skate Or Die... (Or Get Arrested)

When I was 14 years old I was arrested for skateboarding in downtown Barrington. Since skateboarding technically isn't a crime, they got me on trespassing. The officer who arrested me claimed I had trespassed in the parking lot of a local grocery store.

They brought me in, detained me and wrote me up. A month later I appeared in traffic court for the trial. Dozens of people waiting in the court room groaned and sighed in irritation as the judge spent 45 minutes lecturing me on the responsibilities of being a good citizen. I was let off with a stern warning, but my credibility with fellow skaters launched through the roof. Two years later I got a car and never skated again.

Last week another popular video spread across the internet in a viral like manner. Its a cop beating up a 14 year old kid. In retrospect - the cop was right. His tactics are way more effective than a boring speech in a courtroom.



-Kenny Techstepper