Student receives IUPD warning after IDS article about hobby

Junior Geoff Stewart, featured in Tuesday's issue of the Indiana Daily Student, is officially banned from practicing Le Parkour -- a physical discipline based on finding creative ways to move around obstacles -- on IU's campus for an entire year.\nStewart said that upon walking into work Wednesday morning he was met by IU Police Department Officer Phil Delay.\nStewart said Delay handed him a notice of trespass saying he is prohibited from "climbing on any structure on the IU campus that is not designed for that purpose" for an entire year, as of Wednesday. Stewart said, according to the notice, he will be arrested if he fails to comply with the orders.\nIn the photo that accompanied the article "Parkour jumps the pond," Stewart was pictured on top of the arch at the west entrance to the IU Arboretum.\nLe Parkour involves a series of complicated moves, unique to each participant, to get from Point A to Point B in the most efficient way possible. It usually involves jumping or climbing over various objects. \nIUPD Capt. Jerry Minger said the notice was issued not only because Stewart was climbing on structures not intended for that purpose, but because he was also "endorsing the practice for others" in the future. Minger said that Stewart had probably planned to continue the practice and that IUPD had to tell Stewart his behavior was dangerous. \n"We hate to take a position like this," Minger said. "But, unfortunately, now this person has sensationalized an illegal activity -- a dangerous activity." \nMinger said students should refrain from practicing dangerous activities that could cause harm to themselves and others. Such activities, he said, include skateboarding where cars drive and climbing on structures and fences.\nStewart said this was not the first time he's been warned the sport is dangerous.\n"Absolutely I've been warned before and it hasn't stopped me," Stewart said. "I think they're just trying to make an example of me."\nAlthough IUPD has never dealt with students practicing Le Parkour, the department has had plenty of experience with trespassing and dangerous activity, Minger said. Similar cases have included students driving on sidewalks or entering buildings after they have closed. Students have also been arrested for climbing fences to go swimming in pools after-hours.\nSimilarly to Stewart's Parkour, many students have been arrested for climbing on the Venus sculpture in the Showalter Fountain, outside the IU Auditorium. Minger said that the structures are not intended for these purposes and that the IUPD tries to discourage people from using artwork for anything other than its intended purpose.\nRegardless of the notice, Stewart said he plans to continue to practice Le Parkour -- off-campus.\n"Something this small can't discourage me from something I love doing," he said.