PORT ANGELES — About 40 people, including family and friends of the late Frank Russo, gathered Thursday night at City Hall to urge adoption of a city ordinance requiring skateboard helmets at the Port Angeles Skate Park.
The city also should enact some kind of memorial to Russo, such as renaming the skatepark for him or erecting a sign telling his story, they said.
“Because of one moment in time, my life has forever changed,” said Lisa Feeney, Russo’s mother.
Russo, a 14-year-old student at Stevens Middle School, was injured June 16 while skateboarding at the skatepark without a helmet, which was rare for him according to friends.
He died of his injuries the next day at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Two panels meet
The city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and the Law Enforcement Advisory Board held a public meeting Thursday to get input on a potential skateboard helmet ordinance and renaming of public facilities such as the skatepark.
Feeney said her son had a passion for skateboarding and if there had been a city law requiring him to wear a helmet to use the park, he would have worn one.
“I don’t want to see another family go through what we went through. It takes a village to raise a child and it’s time for our village to step forward,” she said.
The city also needs to do something so others can see Russo’s story and pass on his passion, Feeney said.
Ken Laidlaw, Russo’s grandfather, said the city has an obligation to adopt a comprehensive safety ordinance for skateboarders.
