Common belief has it that police and skateboarders coexist about as harmoniously as sharks and minnows. Todd Smither, a Frankfort police officer and owner of the Anex Skateshop, doesn't buy it.

Smither recently opened the skateshop on Comanche Trail with the help of his family. His younger brother, Trey Waddle, used to run a similar skateshop on the east side several years ago.

Waddle, however, moved on to start a business in the automotive industry and the skateshop slipped through the cracks " until this year.

After moving the aftermarket car accessories business, Southern Rides, to Comanche Trail, Smither and Waddle decided it was time to bring back the skateshop.

"Towards end of last year we got the idea to go ahead and redo it," Smither said. "We left the spot empty for a few months and then decided, "Let's go ahead and open a skateshop.'"

Today, Smither handles the skateboard business, while Waddle runs the adjacent automotive
accessories store.

"It's kind of a family thing," Smither said. "He [ran a skateshop] back then. I'm a police officer and I knew there wasn't a dedicated scene for skateboarders, so I saw an opportunity there for a business."

Though skateboarding has thrived on a culture of risk taking and subverting authority, Smither said he doesn't see any conflict between his two roles. He said the relationship is all about respect.

"The skaters, as long as they are respecting the property, that's where the issue comes into play," he said. "As police officers, we don't go out looking for skateboarders. Citizens get annoyed because of a lack of respect."

Currently, there's no sign outside distinguishing the skateshop. Smither said one is in the works.

Raymond Owen, the manager of Anex Skateshop, said this particular shop "is a lot more professional than the old shop." He said the lack of visibility, however, has seemed to restrict customer traffic up to this point.

"There are still quite a lot of people that don't know about it," he said.

Inside the cozy store, the curled boards sit neatly on displays along the back wall. Skater shoe brands such as Deklines and Vox stand on one side and popular skateboarding apparel hangs on the other.

Wheels, bearings and trucks sit inside a glass-encased counter. Owen said the shop assembles boards free of charge and also places special orders for customers.

Owens, who said he dabbles in skateboarding himself, identified Frankfort as a skater-friendly city "as long as you're not skating around the Capitol grounds."

As a police officer, Smither said he has only had to tell a couple skateboarders to leave an area. He said he directs them to the skating area in Lakeview Park, a project his younger brother spearheaded as a teenager and brought to fruition through the Parks and Recreation Department.

Smither said he tells skaters dissatisfied with the neighborhood facilities to go through the proper channels. He said he hopes his business will allow kids to enjoy their hobby and keep them on the right side of the law too.

"When kids get in trouble it's because they are bored and want something to do," Smither said.

"I want to provide a place for kids to be able to go purchase the things that they enjoy and provide a safe environment."