Obviously, someone got to him and CUT THAT STRINGY HAIR.
I live in Hot Springs and have been following this case. It’s wonderful publicity for us, especially after the incident with people stuck on the ride at Magic Springs became the subject of Letterman’s Top 10 a few weeks ago!
First, there are 3 skateparks in Hot Springs, and all the kids know about them.
Second, these kids chose to come in a group of 10 for a national skate day, part of whose stated purpose is to reclaim skateboarding as a life of rebellion.
Third, 70 merchants who are right there on Central Avenue signed a petition in favor of the cop. Several were eyewitnesses and all agree that what is being put out there, on YouTube, for example, doesn’t accurately reflect the whole situation.
This was a deliberate, staged, act of defiance that could have ended more peaceably at any time if the kids had complied at any stage of warning.