$50 skateboarding fine issued during zero tolerance blitz

Watch the video above: Walk-along with Saskatoon police

SASKATOON – Beat officers and the bike patrol unit with Saskatoon police are enforcing a zero tolerance policy.

Beginning Sept. 15, rather than issuing warnings for bylaw violations, breaking the law will directly result in a ticket.

Thursday evening, Global News cameras were permitted to follow the officers between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. In a 12-hour shift, the officers cover approximately 16 kilometres.

While patrolling Broadway Avenue, officers handed out several tickets including a $50 fine to a couple skateboarding on the sidewalk.

This violation falls under the city’s Walk your Wheels bylaw. Skateboards, longboards and rollerblades are not allowed in the downtown, Riversdale or Broadway Business Improvement Districts (BIDS).

The bylaw areas are marked with ‘Walk your Wheels’ stickers placed at eye level on traffic lights. The slogan is also painted on the side walk at intersections in the BIDs.

Over the next month, officers will be enforcing city bylaws including issuing tickets to those who ride bikes on sidewalks, jaywalk, spit, urinate or smoke near the door of an establishment.

Traffic offences will also be enforced by the officers who will be looking for distracted driving, red light violations and failing to buckle seat belts.

The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act will also be used to ticket violators.

Thursday evening, officers stopped in at several establishments on Broadway. All were in compliance.

A vehicle with open alcohol in the front console and the rear passenger wheel parked on the curb was ticketed.

The zero tolerance blitz ends Oct. 15.