RUSSELL, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A city in Greenup County has passed an ordinance to ban skateboarding on city property.

The ordinance prohibits the use of skateboards by any person on Russell public streets or sidewalks or on any property owned by the city.

The ordinance says the use of skateboards is also prohibited on any private property where signs prohibiting such use have been put up by the owner.

Neighbors say skating has become an issue in the Bellefonte Woods and Belhaven neighborhoods and on Monroe Drive and Red Devil Lane.

Some neighbors told WSAZ that they don't mind kids skateboarding, but it's become dangerous with younger kids playing outside and dangerous for drivers, nearly hitting skaters head-on.

"It was a little concerning to me as a parent having my small, little girls in the yard and also I feel it's a danger to the people driving up the hill because they fly and they're going very fast," one neighbor said. "I've driven up the hill before and there was a skateboarder coming straight at my car, and I basically had to swerve the car to avoid hitting them."

But for Chase Bates, the ban is disappointing.

"It's what we love to do, it keeps us out of trouble, it's unique," Bates said. "You don't see it a lot around here, we do it pretty often."

Bates and his friends like to long board.

That means they need the hill to skate on and they typically go fast.

Bates thinks a skate park could be a good idea for younger kids but doesn't cater to long boarding.

"It still would be beneficial to have some of these kids that have regular skateboards with less control," Bates said.

One reason neighbors are concerned is because long boarding typically requires high speeds from the skaters.

But Chase says they're careful and promote safety.

"We wouldn't do anything we weren't capable of or anything we didn't feel comfortable on," Bates said. "We try to promote safety. I've even seen kids on bicycles, younger children, that are riding, trying to go down a sidewalk or something and not wearing a helmet and I'll try to say, 'Be careful guys, if you've got a helmet throw one on'."

Some neighbors on Monroe Drive say it's not the skateboarding, it's the vandalism that has come along with it, including eggs being thrown at their homes.

Bates says he and his friends have never taken part in any sort of vandalism and it's disappointing for him that others have to ruin it for everyone else.

In fact, he says skateboarding has kept him out of trouble.

"It's a good thing to keep your mind off maybe going out and drinking, I might just want to go skate one night, you know," Bates said. "It's kept me out of trouble in the past and hopefully it can in the future as long as it doesn't keep getting banned in all these places."

People who don't follow the ordinance will be cited and fined $50. If you violate the ordinance two times in two years, there is a $100 fine.

A $200 fine will be handed out to anyone who does it three or more times in two years.

The citing officer can also take the skateboard and it would be returned only by the order of Greenup District Court.

The skateboard ordinance takes effect June 1.

Mayor William Hopkins says the city needs to start looking at ideas for things kids can do.

Mayor Hopkins tells WSAZ the city may need to think about a skate park or something else.