Man with no kids at playground

[Anonymous]

I love how people keep making up ways in which this person is dangerous.

A few posts ago he was going to somehow magically make the playground equipment that he wasn't on collapse. Now we are worried that small children will run into him. Small children who have the right to not look where they are going on a playground that has babies to step on, and metal equipment to run into. Oh, but those things aren't dangers. Just this man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you are truly delusional. I will continue to trust my gut and teach my kids to watch for suspicious behavior as well. People do not have the right to act however they want in a society and expect others to adjust to them. Sorry, that is just not how it works. No one lives in a vacuum or total freedom. There are expected social norms and behaviors and if you deviate, know that you will be looked at suspiciously. Still your right to choose to behave oddly but it is also others right to be wary of you.

OP is welcome to be wary. She is welcome to watch her kids and the park. She is welcome to pick a different playground. She is welcome to remind her kids that she doesn’t want them to talk to strangers. She is welcome to pick a different activity.

But if she is asking whether her wary feelings justify putting someone at risk by calling police on them, or advocating for the individual to be excluded, that’s the line.

OP's children have a right to use the playground and be safe. OP has the right to confirm that the environment is indeed safe for her children. I don't see how calling a non emergency line is putting the man at risk. What do you suggest she do? Just avoid all playgrounds that have potential safety issues instead of seeking to rectify those issues?

Again, no one has the right to do whatever the hell they want without consequences. I am a woman and many environments and activities are off limits to me because of safety issues. Does it suck? Yes but that is life. So no, a man doesn't get to just do whatever the hell he wants, regardless of disability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you are truly delusional. I will continue to trust my gut and teach my kids to watch for suspicious behavior as well. People do not have the right to act however they want in a society and expect others to adjust to them. Sorry, that is just not how it works. No one lives in a vacuum or total freedom. There are expected social norms and behaviors and if you deviate, know that you will be looked at suspiciously. Still your right to choose to behave oddly but it is also others right to be wary of you.

OP is welcome to be wary. She is welcome to watch her kids and the park. She is welcome to pick a different playground. She is welcome to remind her kids that she doesn’t want them to talk to strangers. She is welcome to pick a different activity.

But if she is asking whether her wary feelings justify putting someone at risk by calling police on them, or advocating for the individual to be excluded, that’s the line.

At risk? LOL

Who cares about the risk to the kids! Let's just worry about the man.

Men above women and their kids. amiright?

Seriously…I can’t believe how many people on this thread are so focused on this man’s well being and willing to totally disregard the little children that may be in danger. It’s disgusting. If he isn’t doing anything wrong and has a good reason then what’s the problem? Why are you all so fixated on this man’s protection but not the kids?

Because some of us know, perhaps because of experience with our loved ones, that adults with IDD are as valued and loved and worthy of protection as small children. So prioritizing protecting the children, when there isn’t any risk to them, by putting a vulnerable adult in danger makes no sense.

My guess is that OP has the ability to just go to a different playground. It’s likely this man doesn’t.

We have absolutely no idea if this man has IDD.

You're right. It's possible he doesn't. But calling the police because people act in ways that are common for people with IDD leads to people with IDD being hurt. So, whether or not he does, it's still not OK to call the police on him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you are truly delusional. I will continue to trust my gut and teach my kids to watch for suspicious behavior as well. People do not have the right to act however they want in a society and expect others to adjust to them. Sorry, that is just not how it works. No one lives in a vacuum or total freedom. There are expected social norms and behaviors and if you deviate, know that you will be looked at suspiciously. Still your right to choose to behave oddly but it is also others right to be wary of you.

OP is welcome to be wary. She is welcome to watch her kids and the park. She is welcome to pick a different playground. She is welcome to remind her kids that she doesn’t want them to talk to strangers. She is welcome to pick a different activity.

But if she is asking whether her wary feelings justify putting someone at risk by calling police on them, or advocating for the individual to be excluded, that’s the line.

At risk? LOL

Who cares about the risk to the kids! Let's just worry about the man.

Men above women and their kids. amiright?

Seriously…I can’t believe how many people on this thread are so focused on this man’s well being and willing to totally disregard the little children that may be in danger. It’s disgusting. If he isn’t doing anything wrong and has a good reason then what’s the problem? Why are you all so fixated on this man’s protection but not the kids?

Because some of us know, perhaps because of experience with our loved ones, that adults with IDD are as valued and loved and worthy of protection as small children. So prioritizing protecting the children, when there isn’t any risk to them, by putting a vulnerable adult in danger makes no sense.

My guess is that OP has the ability to just go to a different playground. It’s likely this man doesn’t.

We have absolutely no idea if this man has IDD.

You're right. It's possible he doesn't. But calling the police because people act in ways that are common for people with IDD leads to people with IDD being hurt. So, whether or not he does, it's still not OK to call the police on him.

Dumb

[Anonymous]

How can you all tell if someone lurking around a playground has IDD or is just a creep?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can you all tell if someone lurking around a playground has IDD or is just a creep?

This is about a man walking in the open not a man lurking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sums up what is so frustrating with our society. There used to be some semblance of a common good where one individual didn’t get to take over a space that was intended for another group.

A public playground is for kids plain and simple. There are plenty of places a grown man can circle around without making parents nervous. By being there he is sucking out the pleasurable enjoyment of the playground for many parents and kids because everyone is on edge. Same for people with big dogs who think it is cute to bring the dog in and use the playground equipment and drug addicts using be playgrounds.

This really affects poor and middle class families who can’t afford to pay for indoor play experiences and /or who don’t have backyards.

Wow, that’s a stretch. We have an acre of land but it doesn’t have kids to run around or fancy playground equipment so we love to go to playgrounds.

I would have said hi to him, especially since he’s there every day. Start a conversation, hear his story. You learn a lot from people with friendly conversations.

[Anonymous]

Man, inclusion has really gone too far, at the detriment of moms and children. Playgrounds are for human children, full stop. If you are a single adult with no kids and you a hang out at the playground, you are a weirdo. As someone else pointed out up thread, we aren't talking about entire PARKS in general, but the actual playground section. Go find another picnic table or walking spot, you complete and utter potato.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly what law gives this man any right to just wander around a children’s playground without kids??

I am not a fan of random men in playground areas. That said, public playgrounds are usually part of public parks and open to the public. Suspicious behavior can be reported, but simply being an adult in a public space isn't a crime.

While public parks are certainly open to the public, courts have found that it is in fact legal to pass ordinances that restrict a tiny bit of the park, such playgrounds to kids 12 and under and their caretakers. Many jurisdictions do just that because of situations like the OP describes. It sets parents on edge to have a grown man circling the playground equipment repetitively. The adult can circle the outside of the playground all they want and walk all over the park. It doesn't matter if there adult male has a disability or not. OP never stated if he did or not.

The other factor is that play equipment is safety designed at most city parks for ages 5-12 (with separate equipment for younger kids). Adults using standard ages 5-12 playground equipment like swings and slides can often cause the chain or plastic to prematurely wear and break.

If cities want playgrounds for all ages then they should be specifically built with specialized equipment for larger weight loads.

It is legal to pass such ordinances but OP’s community clearly hasn’t. Putting someone at risk, by calling the police on them for something that could be illegal but isn’t is bizarre. I have lived in places where you can get a plastic bag for free at the check out. Should we call the police on those businesses because we know from other places that it’s possible to make a law against that?

OP has not said that this playground is in a larger park. Some are and some aren’t.

Also, he’s clearly not getting on the equipment, he’s walking around it. Can I assume that you call the police whenever you see someone who isn’t 5-12 on the equipment? Because I see toddlers and parents on it all the time.

Have you lost all common sense? What a stupid analogy! A toddler isn’t a potential creep lurking at the park.

We don’t know the set up of the park if it’s a park or standalone playground are there other walking paths or what not again she feels there’s something wrong with the situation. She should speak up and have somebody who is trained come out and check it out.

This is OP — Answering this question — there are walking paths all over the larger park that the playground is within. People use the walking paths all the time. The fact he is choosing to circle the playground equipment vs use the well maintained paths in the broader park is part of what makes this behavior so strange. This has also been ongoing for WEEKS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can you all tell if someone lurking around a playground has IDD or is just a creep?

You can't. That's why you leave it to the authorities to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly what law gives this man any right to just wander around a children’s playground without kids??

I am not a fan of random men in playground areas. That said, public playgrounds are usually part of public parks and open to the public. Suspicious behavior can be reported, but simply being an adult in a public space isn't a crime.

While public parks are certainly open to the public, courts have found that it is in fact legal to pass ordinances that restrict a tiny bit of the park, such playgrounds to kids 12 and under and their caretakers. Many jurisdictions do just that because of situations like the OP describes. It sets parents on edge to have a grown man circling the playground equipment repetitively. The adult can circle the outside of the playground all they want and walk all over the park. It doesn't matter if there adult male has a disability or not. OP never stated if he did or not.

The other factor is that play equipment is safety designed at most city parks for ages 5-12 (with separate equipment for younger kids). Adults using standard ages 5-12 playground equipment like swings and slides can often cause the chain or plastic to prematurely wear and break.

If cities want playgrounds for all ages then they should be specifically built with specialized equipment for larger weight loads.

It is legal to pass such ordinances but OP’s community clearly hasn’t. Putting someone at risk, by calling the police on them for something that could be illegal but isn’t is bizarre. I have lived in places where you can get a plastic bag for free at the check out. Should we call the police on those businesses because we know from other places that it’s possible to make a law against that?

OP has not said that this playground is in a larger park. Some are and some aren’t.

Also, he’s clearly not getting on the equipment, he’s walking around it. Can I assume that you call the police whenever you see someone who isn’t 5-12 on the equipment? Because I see toddlers and parents on it all the time.

Have you lost all common sense? What a stupid analogy! A toddler isn’t a potential creep lurking at the park.

We don’t know the set up of the park if it’s a park or standalone playground are there other walking paths or what not again she feels there’s something wrong with the situation. She should speak up and have somebody who is trained come out and check it out.

This is OP — Answering this question — there are walking paths all over the larger park that the playground is within. People use the walking paths all the time. The fact he is choosing to circle the playground equipment vs use the well maintained paths in the broader park is part of what makes this behavior so strange. This has also been ongoing for WEEKS.

Yeah, this is not okay. Especially given the other trails. Let the police know. They can explain to him that he needs to walk on the walking paths, not circle children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sums up what is so frustrating with our society. There used to be some semblance of a common good where one individual didn’t get to take over a space that was intended for another group.

A public playground is for kids plain and simple. There are plenty of places a grown man can circle around without making parents nervous. By being there he is sucking out the pleasurable enjoyment of the playground for many parents and kids because everyone is on edge. Same for people with big dogs who think it is cute to bring the dog in and use the playground equipment and drug addicts using be playgrounds.

This really affects poor and middle class families who can’t afford to pay for indoor play experiences and /or who don’t have backyards.

Wow, that’s a stretch. We have an acre of land but it doesn’t have kids to run around or fancy playground equipment so we love to go to playgrounds.

I would have said hi to him, especially since he’s there every day. Start a conversation, hear his story. You learn a lot from people with friendly conversations.

Not OP. But I feel zero need to have random conversations with strange men at parks. Absolutely not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sums up what is so frustrating with our society. There used to be some semblance of a common good where one individual didn’t get to take over a space that was intended for another group.

A public playground is for kids plain and simple. There are plenty of places a grown man can circle around without making parents nervous. By being there he is sucking out the pleasurable enjoyment of the playground for many parents and kids because everyone is on edge. Same for people with big dogs who think it is cute to bring the dog in and use the playground equipment and drug addicts using be playgrounds.

This really affects poor and middle class families who can’t afford to pay for indoor play experiences and /or who don’t have backyards.

Wow, that’s a stretch. We have an acre of land but it doesn’t have kids to run around or fancy playground equipment so we love to go to playgrounds.

I would have said hi to him, especially since he’s there every day. Start a conversation, hear his story. You learn a lot from people with friendly conversations.

Not OP. But I feel zero need to have random conversations with strange men at parks. Absolutely not.

Why have a conversation when you can have him put down by your armed goons? That's much cleaner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sums up what is so frustrating with our society. There used to be some semblance of a common good where one individual didn’t get to take over a space that was intended for another group.

A public playground is for kids plain and simple. There are plenty of places a grown man can circle around without making parents nervous. By being there he is sucking out the pleasurable enjoyment of the playground for many parents and kids because everyone is on edge. Same for people with big dogs who think it is cute to bring the dog in and use the playground equipment and drug addicts using be playgrounds.

This really affects poor and middle class families who can’t afford to pay for indoor play experiences and /or who don’t have backyards.

Wow, that’s a stretch. We have an acre of land but it doesn’t have kids to run around or fancy playground equipment so we love to go to playgrounds.

I would have said hi to him, especially since he’s there every day. Start a conversation, hear his story. You learn a lot from people with friendly conversations.

Not OP. But I feel zero need to have random conversations with strange men at parks. Absolutely not.

Why have a conversation when you can have him put down by your armed goons? That's much cleaner.

Found the poster who hates the police. I hope they are available to you should you ever need them.

Many of you are giving this man way too much leeway. the situation is not appropriate. I think we can safely say this person is not typical because a typical person would know not to do this. So the only options are 1. He is a creep or worse. 2. He has a disability of some sort or is otherwise neurodivergent in a way that he may not understand that his behavior is not appropriate. If it’s the second, the officers can explain to him that he can walk at the walking trails located in the same park (as the OP confirmed that they are present). If he is functional enough to be out alone then he is functional enough to understand an officer telling him to walk nearby instead of at the actual playground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Man, inclusion has really gone too far, at the detriment of moms and children. Playgrounds are for human children, full stop. If you are a single adult with no kids and you a hang out at the playground, you are a weirdo. As someone else pointed out up thread, we aren't talking about entire PARKS in general, but the actual playground section. Go find another picnic table or walking spot, you complete and utter potato.

Yes. And don’t forget that almost all male pedophiles caught by police are men.