Posts Tagged ‘skate 22’
Jan
01

Skate 22, a popular rink for New Jersey/New York R&B skaters, was shut down by the city last week after a teenager was murdered in the parking lot after having attended an all night skate party.  An investigation is ongoing but law enforcement officials are indicating the shooting may have been gang-related and a result of an altercation between 2 groups which started inside the rink and then moved outside to the parking lot.

Read more from news reports via these links:

Progress in Rink Murder Investigation (New Jersey Star Ledger)

 Lessons from Skate 22 Tragedy (New Jersey Star Ledger Editorial)

 Skate 22 Shut Down in Wake of Fatal Shooting (Union Local Source)

 City Votes to Shut Down Skate 22 After Teen Death (MSNBC)

  Pleas for Justice at Slain Teen’s Vigil (New Jersey Star Ledger)

 Also, based on some of the reader comments to the Star Ledger editorial, views are split; some supporting the closure of the rink and making comments indirectly along racial lines, insinuating the problem stems from poor parenting skills of Black and poor people, others finding the move to be hasty and not well thought out.  Here are a couple of those comments:

Posted by t83088 on 12/30/08 at 12:05PM

Skate 22 is my second home. I brought my first pair of skate there, perfected my skating, met many new friends, even formed a second family. What happened on Christmas Night is very unfortunate & my hearts goes to the D’Haiti family, but let’s not forget, it could’ve happened anywhere. Closing Skate 22 was a very bad choice, now all the “wannabe thugs” are just gonna go to Union Theatres or somewhere else to cause chaos. Why should me and other skate families suffer because of one dumb teen trying to “prove a point”? The rink has gospel night, kid’s night and throws kid’s birthday parties…it means good. It should DEFINITELY be reopened…everytime I go there are always poilice cars outside making sure everyone gets home safely or finds there ride…where were they at on Christmas night?????

Posted by sehjah06 on 12/30/08 at 11:11AM

The way this generation is heading they will have no where to go except be home. Now its Skate 22, next will be the movies, a private party held a hall, a high school game, etc. etc. Most of these young children do not respect their own mothers and fathers and this enhances their disrespect for human life including their own. Babies having babies, being grandparents at age 35, deadbeat mom and dads, kids self entitlement, etc. etc. All of this sh$t is just plain crazy and it starts at HOME. Skate 22 has to decide whether its all about money or if they want to provide a fun place for children and parents to go and then set boundaries

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