Creepy man at playground

[Anonymous]

Yesterday, I was at the playground with my 2 kids. It was during the day, and there were a couple of other women there, each with one or two children. In addition, there was a middle aged man standing on the side, nervously adjusting his clothing. When he saw me and one other mom looking at him, he went over to the monkey bars and pretended he was there to do pullups, but he couldn't pull himself up. My daughter went down the slide to the other side of the jungle gym, and I told her we were all going to stay on one side. She asked why and I said I want us to be extra careful about staying together and not wondering off so we can all be safe. She said ok and both kids kept playing.

My issue is that the man at the park didn't do anything wrong, or break the law-- he just creeped me out. There is no reason for a grown man to be standing alone at the playground at 10:30 on a Friday morning. When I got home, DH said that I should have either called the police or confronted the man and asked him if he had any kids with him. I think I would have been out of line either way. I am curious what other parents would have done.

[Anonymous]

Oops wrong forum. Will move to general parenting!

[Anonymous]

I know you said you will move this to another forum but I thought I would point my opinion on the issue. I once saw a grown man punch a woman square in the jaw for "confronting" him. So, I am not big on confronting unless there is an immediate danger. I would of called the police to report a suspicious man and kept an eye on him while at the park.

[Anonymous]

Was he just standing there staring at your kids or was he sitting on a bench or something just minding his own business? If it was a public park he has every right to be there.

[Anonymous]

What park was this at? It sounds creepy.. i would have called the police.

[Anonymous]

I had a similar experience at a pool once. It was the toddler swim time and this creepy middle aged man was there "showering" under the water features, following me and my two boy charges as well as other little boys, trying to engage them etc. We left because every time I tried to get a life guards attention the creepy man was right next to me. It still creeps me out. I emailed the pool director who said there's nothing they can do about that.

[Anonymous]

Some (not all) parks don't allow adults without children for this very reason. I probably would have just left if I was alone with my children. Calling the police or confronting him is pointless because it isn't illegal for creepy people to roam around child friendly areas unfortunetly.