Biometric entry planned for California skate park!

Things are definitely getting out of hand when you start reading articles like this – the City of Poway in California is going to introduce biometric scans of skaters thumbs to allow or disallow entry into the skate park. One thing is making sure vandalism, bullying and disregard of certain rules don’t take place, but making a skate park look like you are trying to travel overseas and you are getting on a plane? What do you think about it – leave a comment, I want to know!

Here’s the complete post from the San Diego Union Tribune website:

“POWAY — City officials hope to reduce vandalism, bullying and other problems at Poway Skate Park by requiring that children and adults enter the park via a “biometric” thumb scanner.

Skaters and visitors will only gain access through the park’s turnstile once their thumbprint is scanned by the device, which officials hope to have installed by Friday and functioning by April 19.

Park users will be asked to register at the park starting tomorrow to coincide with spring break. Skaters will be required to sign a liability waiver, provide a thumbprint and have their photo taken. The photo and thumbprint will be uploaded to a computer. There is no cost for registration, and admittance to the park is free.

Surveillance cameras also will be installed at the park, so that city officials can match video of violations with photos on file. Skaters may be denied access to the park for days, weeks or indefinitely, depending on the severity of their actions.

Greg Sundberg, Poway senior recreation supervisor, said the skate park has recently experienced many problems, including vandalism to the restrooms, graffiti, fires and visitors bringing bicycles into the park, which is not permitted.

Poway parent Shelly Smart said her sons, ages 7 and 9, are only permitted to skate on Family Night because of her concern about recent events. She said she would be more comfortable allowing her children to visit the park at other times once the scanner is in place. City staff does not monitor the park regularly.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Smart said of the scanner.

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