Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Eric Adams Cracks Down On Borough Hall Skateboarders, Continues Ignoring Placard Abuse
By
Charline Charles
and
Jake Offenhartz
Published Oct 25, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Charline Charles
By
Charline Charles
and
Jake Offenhartz
Published Oct 25, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The city is cracking down on four-wheeled scofflaws outside Brooklyn Borough Hall—just not the ones who have multi-ton vehicles and jobs with the city.
In a bid to chase off local skateboarders, the NYC Parks Department has installed new concrete planters, metal barricades, and a turf carpet along the landmarked steps of the government building. The measures were installed this week in conjunction with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, a frequent opponent of the skaters who often gather outside his office. [UPDATE below]
"Historically we have made it very clear that the plaza steps are not to be used by skateboarders, and that has been repeatedly flouted by some people," said Jonah Allon, a spokesperson for the borough president. "We've definitely explored how to address that in an appropriate and respectful way."
But kids on skateboards aren't the only repeat offenders in the high-traffic pedestrian area. Just a few feet from the new hostile architecture elements, roughly half a dozen vehicles, most belonging to Adams' staff, could be seen parked illegally in the public plaza on Friday afternoon. Despite the presence of NYPD officers, none of the cars received tickets—presumably thanks to the government-issued placards on their dashboards.
City employees have long parked illegally on the plaza with impunity
Charline Charles
The issue of rampant placard abuse within the borough president's office was the subject of a tense public meeting this past summer. While Adams acknowledged the illegal practice, he insisted it would be unfair to hold his staff to higher standards than other city employees, who also frequently misuse their placards.
A spokesperson declined to say whether the skateboarding crackdown seemed hypocritical, given his office's own flagrant violation of plaza rules.
“I feel like they can park here because they’re privileged and they work here," said Samir, a 16-year-old who was skating on the plaza on Friday. "Most people don’t like skaters that much."
Several teenagers who'd come to skate at the plaza on Friday told Gothamist they were bummed out by the city's attempts at deterrence. "It fucks with the vibe OD, like the planters and stuff," said Miles, another 16-year-old. He said the spot was popular among local skaters because it's "super flat, and it's also just a place where you can meet new skaters."
That especially smooth surface is due to the plaza's bluestones, which were restored in 2017 thanks to a $10 million investment from Adams and Mayor Bill de Blasio. The project was meant to ensure that "bicycles, skateboards, and strollers [could] smoothly move across the park."
But the influx of skateboarders has damaged parts of the public plaza, according to the borough president. "The Parks Department’s findings show there is clear damage to landmarked steps and lamp pedestals due to skateboard grinding," Allon told Gothamist.
A spokesperson for the Parks Department did not immediately share those findings, but noted that skateboarding is prohibited on the steps and light poles. It is not illegal to skate on the plaza itself. They added that Parks Department patrol officers had been assigned to the area to educate and enforce the rules.
Asked whether the agency had any plans to begin enforcing the plaza's routine placard abuse, the spokesperson told Gothamist: "The parking policy is being reviewed."
UPDATE: The skaters have moved the planters and rolled up the carpet.
Tagged
brooklyn borough hall
nyc parks
skateboarding
eric adams
Charline Charles
Read more
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 11:36 a.m. ET
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans. We could get used to this.
Seeing high hopes dashed had become so routine, it was part of our identity. This year feels different.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans. We could get used to this.
Seeing high hopes dashed had become so routine, it was part of our identity. This year feels different.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .