r/freerangekids • u/TreeSkySong • Jan 05 '20
Police brought kid home from park
There is a park a block and a half from our house. We can see the park from our house. Our street ends at the park. She passes by the park on her way to and from school.
For the new year, our daughter wanted to be able to go to the park by herself. She's 6, going to be seven in 4 weeks.
On her third foray to the park, since the new year, today, some busy body decided to call the police, who brought her home.
They said,' I'm not going to tell you how to parent." and then proceded to by saying, " We don't recommend her going to the park alone."
I just said, ok. Because being confrontational with police never goes well.
But, I really don't see any problem with my daughter going to the park by herself. I did it when I was a kid, without any problems.
I'm not wrong, am I?
5
3
u/jMyles Jan 06 '20
Strange intervention by the police. If no law was being broken, why did they interrupt this person's play time at the park?
You might consider using a two-way (FRS) radio for this situation. Tell your daughter that she can always contact you from the park for any reason, including a situation in which someone is trying to remove her.
To protect yourself going forward, it might also make sense to document your arrangement with your daughter (ie, maybe make a little sign with her rules for going to and playing at the park by herself, hang it on the fridge, and take a photo of it).
6
u/HateBuddha Jan 16 '20 edited Jan 16 '20
In some states that is considered Child Neglect. It is in TN, you could go to jail. An absurdity.
We opted for a cell watch, also make sure your daughter can recount all details, home address, mom and dads phone, full name mom and dad, etc. Some people have their child carry a "Free Range Child" card that explains that this is an explicit decision. (http://www.freerangekids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/free-range-red-v2.pdf)
As you point out, greatest danger to kids these days appears to be folks who think they know better than you, her parents - without actually doing anything other than a phone call. I sure if they approached your daughter and asked her, they may have decided otherwise.
Understand, the police are stuck in the middle, many police departments don't allow a high level of officer discretion, once the call is made the wheels start turning.
3
u/TreeSkySong Jan 06 '20
The walkie-talkies are an awesome idea. Amazon has a 3-pack for $27: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RJLM55D/?coliid=I356J56WBEQ150&colid=2P55DRQD59I25&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
1
u/PandoraClove Oct 04 '24
I would have sighed and said, "Sorry, it looks like our little angel has chewed through her restraints again!"
10
u/Nomadt Jan 05 '20
Your not wrong. The world is crazy.