Topic: Parkour and the Police

[nymbis]

I'm sure this was really quite unnecessary but I have been in touch with the Jefferson County Sheriff's office about parkour and its legality around unincorporated and corporated Jefferson County and I received this email today. I realize that everyone probably knows this ( for its obvious) but felt like posting it. Greetings!

Vandalism (what we call criminal mischief) only occurs when there is
damage to an object.  Any activity that causes damage to someone else's
(or the public's) property is a crime.  However, using an object for a
purpose not exactly as intended would not generally be a criminal act.
For instance, there is no law that says you have to or can only sit on a
bench.  As long as no damage is done and no one interferes with someone
else's enjoyment of the facilities, there generally would be no crime.

However, keep in mind that facilities, parks, etc. can adopt their own
rules and regulations for the use of their facility and property that
may be more strict than the state law.  A violation of any rule or
regulation lawfully made by the caretaker of public property is
chargeable under the unlawful conduct on public property statutes.

So, while I do not see any inherent criminality to the activity you
describe, park officials may frown upon such activity and simply ask you
to refrain or leave.

Let me know if you have any further questions and enjoy!



Grey La Certe
South Precinct Crime Prevention Deputy
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
200 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden CO 80401
720 377-2002 (office)
720 377-2028 (fax)

[Ryan Ford]

i got a little nervous when I started reading this but thats not a bad idea. You could print that email out (maybe leave out a few select things  ) and carry it around with you during parkour in case you ever get hassled.

[nymbis]

Yeah that what I was kinda of thinking. I just thought that Id check it out with them and see what they thought about parkour. The person I talked to seemed quite interested actually.

[Berkut]

The really nice thing I like about the e-mail is the way they emphasised damage to public property. It's always good to know that the ideaology of Parkour and the law do coincide, as the damage of an obsticale in the path of the traceur is considered an ineffective, inefficent movement.

I wonder if I could get a similar response from Arapahoe County's Sheriff's Departement?

[nymbis]

You could always try... Seemed to have worked for me.