Village clamps down on Skateland

Rink in Butler claims forced 6 p.m. closure is based on race of its customers

By DAVE SHEELEY
dsheeley@journalsentinel.com

Posted: Dec. 11, 2006

Butler - Butler Skateland is alleging that race is a factor in the village's decision to force the popular rink to end its nighttime hours, but village officials say the step is necessary because a spike in sometimes violent disturbances at the business is consuming the resources of a small police force.

Skateland

Village Cuts Night Hours

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The message also asks church groups and other customers to join Skateland in its fight against the village and invites them to contact the business, which will put any interested people in contact with the attorney, Dean Richards.

Attempts on Monday to reach members of the Laufer family, which owns the Skateland in Butler and rinks in Waukesha, the Town of Cedarburg and Watertown, were unsuccessful.

However, the audio recording containing the race allegation was removed from the phone line hours after a reporter contacted Richards and attempted to reach the Laufers. It was replaced by a message listing hours and other information but not the controversy with Butler.

Village President John Ehlinger blasted Skateland's contention that race played a part in the village decision to shut down the rink at 6 p.m. daily.

"I couldn't even tell you the race of customers down there," Ehlinger said of the rink on W. Custer Ave. "I disagree with that 100 percent. I think it's very easy for people to play a race card, but that's not going to change my mind. I think charging racism on this is uncalled for, and I think it shows a desperation on their part."

He added, "If there are gunshots going off, that's not a race issue."

Ehlinger was referring to an incident on the night of Aug. 24, when an officer saw about 100 vehicles quickly leaving the rink, as several people hung out of vehicles or yelled. Security guards at Skateland saw a man fire a gun into the air, and a melee ensued. A witness said several people flashed gang signs. No injuries were reported.

Village officials have reported a swelling in disturbances at the rink in the past year, such as fights, battery and disorderly conduct. Village officials say the calls for police service at Skateland leave the rest of the village vulnerable and have punctuated the need for an eighth village officer, which the Village Board recently agreed to fund at a cost of $71,000.

"I'm not quite sure they (Skateland) understand the way the trustees and myself know what kind of pressure they put on community resources," he said.

Two village officers are sometimes stationed at the rink when hundreds of skaters pour out at closing time, Ehlinger said. Trustee Tim Nelson described the stack of complaints and police reports related to Skateland as "huge."

Ehlinger said problems are happening at Skateland as well as elsewhere in the village.

"To me, it was coming down to a necessity," he said of hiring an additional officer. "Butler is no longer the suburb sitting way out in the outskirts. We are part of the metropolitan area, and certain problems come with that."

Police Chief Mike Cosgrove couldn't be reached for comment, but Ehlinger said the chief wanted a new officer in light of his struggle to schedule officers for shifts to ensure proper police coverage.

Village trustees unanimously approved a change to Skateland's conditional use permit last month that restricts the business' hours to between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Depending on the day, Skateland was previously open as late as 9 p.m. for those younger than 25 and 11 p.m. for those who are older.

Days after the permit change, Skateland filed an appeal of that decision with the village's Board of Appeals. That board might deliberate on the matter this month.

Richards, Skateland's attorney, said the appeal is not based solely on the race issue, but on the overall concerns the village has with the rink.

"To across the board limit business hours to 6 p.m. is too drastic in our view, and we think there are more narrow modifications," he said. He said alternative proposals are being investigated.

Ehlinger said village officials are willing to look at ideas other than the 6 p.m. shutdown, but Skateland representatives haven't come up with better proposals.

Trustees relied heavily on advice from Village Administrator Tim Rhode and Village Attorney Hector de la Mora in taking steps that led to the permit change, he said.

"From my understanding, the Village Board has had enough of the tomfoolery that has gone on down there, if you will," Rhode said. "It is time to take action."