This great article about dealing with security while practicing Parkour and Freerunning is written by Adrian of MIAPK . Adrian has a lot of experience, as he is friends with and trains many local authorities in the Miami area. He is well on his way to becoming a member of the force himself and when he does, bad guys are in for a very tough time! (Read more for the article)
Thanks to Adrian and Miami Parkour for allowing us to reprint this article.
Dealing with Security
For most of us who train in Parkour, crossing paths with security and
law enforcement personnel is a likely inevitability. The routes we take
to traverse and maneuver through our environment are attention
grabbing, to say nothing of strange to the untrained eye.
For those unfamiliar with the discipline, the sight of someone cat
crawling across a wall, or leaping from place to place can strike them
as devious endeavors.
It is the job of security personnel to keep property safe and look out
for the interests of the owners. Many are concerned with damage to the
property they are charged with guarding. Unlike other urban activities
however, we scarcely leave an impression or mark where we train and
actually value the condition of our training spots. The cleaner, more
stable, and intact a structure is the better it is for us and them.
This mutual vantage point is not however the core issue. Often there is
the fear of liability. In a society plagued with law suits and a lack
of taking responsibility for ones actions, our commitment and
dedication to what we do (at no one’s expense but our own) goes by the
wayside.
If you find yourself being stopped and questioned about what you’re
doing, take the opportunity to explain what parkour is and what you’re
training for. Recognize the opportunity to spread awareness and educate
the public about the discipline. The battle to gain respect for what we
do and to be seen as ambassadors, doesn’t need the setback of
insubordination. You may have that one chance to expose them to the
sport, so make the best impression possible. More than likely however,
you won’t be given the chance to do so. It’s common place for security
to simply dismiss us as trespassers and order us off the property
without caring to understand what it is we’re doing. I feel it’s
important to inform everyone that even though training itself is not
illegal, refusal to vacate the premises once asked is grounds for
arrest (at least here in Florida).
Remember that the world is our playing field, so there’s no sense in
fighting over a single location. Keep searching and you’ll find
friendly areas to train movements. If a location appeals to you for its
cinematic potential, speak with the owners/managers about filming a
sequence there. I guarantee they will appreciate you coming to them
first and not sneaking about the property. It’s truly a toss up as to
whether or not you get their permission. However, they will recognize
you as an ambassador to the sport and may gain respect for your
practices and the way you go about choosing locations. Here in Miami,
we’ve campaigned for access to various malls and landmarks that would
make for some great footage. Even when turned down however, the
response from location owners has been nothing but positive and
praiseworthy. Those who have allowed us access (you’ll see the
locations in upcoming videos) have done so with curious enthusiasm and
open-mindedness. All across the country Parkour has received
recognition and embrace on so many levels and we all play a part in its
reputation.
It’s worth mentioning that security, law enforcement, and military
personnel are among those seeking to train in parkour. They’ve
recognized the functionality of it and transfer to job specific
demands. Here in Miami and elsewhere, they are welcome additions to the
sport.
Also check out this older article on the subject written by Antwawn.
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Good article man! 
