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.

Walking is against the law? Exactly what has he done OP?

Anonymous wrote:See something, say something

And it will fall on deaf ears

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

Sorry, but there is no guarantee in a public setting that your child will not be "upset." If you don't like that, don't take your child to a public park. And many, many (most?) adults with autism are fully functional without supervision.

OP, this is one of those things that you have to accept as the price of living in community and in society. He has just as much right to be there as you do.

LOL - No, childrens' playgrounds are not build for cognitively disabled adult men to circle. They do not have a socially acceptable right to be there, even if it is not against the law. You are insane.

There are no such things as “socially acceptable rights”. People with disabilities have exactly the same civil rights as other citizens. Whatever right your child has to be there is the same as his.

These are the people who 100% be in a lynch mob if the opportunity struck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

Thanks for you opinion that when SN kids grow up they need supervisors always.

Welp, I certainly wouldn't let my moderately autistic son wander around aimlessly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

Sorry, but there is no guarantee in a public setting that your child will not be "upset." If you don't like that, don't take your child to a public park. And many, many (most?) adults with autism are fully functional without supervision.

OP, this is one of those things that you have to accept as the price of living in community and in society. He has just as much right to be there as you do.

LOL - No, childrens' playgrounds are not build for cognitively disabled adult men to circle. They do not have a socially acceptable right to be there, even if it is not against the law. You are insane.

You ok boo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are right to be concerned. As others have said, call the nonemergency number for the police and let them know. Even if this person is no threat to the kids (which he likely isn't but we have no way of knowing that), he needs to understand why circling a playground with children on it is inappropriate and find another more appropriate place to walk/pace around outside.

Walking in a public park is very appropriate.

Walking inside the fences of a literal playground circling a play structure and swings as an adult male is very appropriate?? okay weirdo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

Sorry, but there is no guarantee in a public setting that your child will not be "upset." If you don't like that, don't take your child to a public park. And many, many (most?) adults with autism are fully functional without supervision.

OP, this is one of those things that you have to accept as the price of living in community and in society. He has just as much right to be there as you do.

LOL - No, childrens' playgrounds are not build for cognitively disabled adult men to circle. They do not have a socially acceptable right to be there, even if it is not against the law. You are insane.

There are no such things as “socially acceptable rights”. People with disabilities have exactly the same civil rights as other citizens. Whatever right your child has to be there is the same as his.

Anonymous wrote:OP, you are right to be concerned. As others have said, call the nonemergency number for the police and let them know. Even if this person is no threat to the kids (which he likely isn't but we have no way of knowing that), he needs to understand why circling a playground with children on it is inappropriate and find another more appropriate place to walk/pace around outside.

Walking in a public park is very appropriate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

Sorry, but there is no guarantee in a public setting that your child will not be "upset." If you don't like that, don't take your child to a public park. And many, many (most?) adults with autism are fully functional without supervision.

OP, this is one of those things that you have to accept as the price of living in community and in society. He has just as much right to be there as you do.

LOL - No, childrens' playgrounds are not build for cognitively disabled adult men to circle. They do not have a socially acceptable right to be there, even if it is not against the law. You are insane.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We need more information. How old is he? Does he just walk or does he do anything else (look at a phone, listen to music, etc.)? Is he dressed appropriately for the weather/activity? Do you get the impression that he's mentally disabled or on the spectrum?

I'm a prosecutor and my initial thought is that he is cognitively disabled or on the spectrum and that he enjoys the playground, but doesn't appreciate that his behavior is alarming to others. Walking around in a small area draws attention to him, which is something that you wouldn't expect an actual child predator to do.

That's a lot of assumptions there. Your law school should have taught you better.

How so? I said “my initial thought” not “the undeniable and inescapable conclusion.” It sounds like you didn’t quite understand what I wrote.

Anonymous wrote:See something, say something

Except there’s nothing to see. Is it a public playground? Is he doing anything illegal?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

None of us know how anyone would react if approached. Many people with disabilities can still do leisure activities independently. OP should watch her child to make sure they don't go off with this man or any other stranger, but she should be doing that anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

Thanks for you opinion that when SN kids grow up they need supervisors always.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you handle this situation?

On a daily basis there is a man with no kids who walks in circles around the local playground for a LONG time. Like literally around the equipment not like on a path or something.

It is super creepy and makes us avoid going, which feels unfair to my children. Should I reach out to 311? How would you handle?

I agree that this is likely behavior related to neurodiversity, and that it is unfair to your kids to have a parent who is intolerant of neurodiversity to the point that they restrict healthy outdoor activity.

What to do? Go to the park.

Bingo. OP, it seems that you are the problem here. In case you didn't know, people who prey on children are often the most socially-savvy and pleasant people you meet. They develop that persona to lull you into a false sense of security so you give them access to your kids. Often they're coaches or volunteers.

Dp. I understand why op is concerned. While he likely isn't a predator, his behavior is unusual. Even if he is autistic and this loop of the equipment is part of his routine, none of us can tell op how he would react if he were approached by a child or adult. We don't know if he might behave in a way which may upset a child. Also, if he is on the spectrum or otherwise cognitively disabled, why is he not accompanied or supervised by another adult?

Sorry, but there is no guarantee in a public setting that your child will not be "upset." If you don't like that, don't take your child to a public park. And many, many (most?) adults with autism are fully functional without supervision.

OP, this is one of those things that you have to accept as the price of living in community and in society. He has just as much right to be there as you do.