Los Angeles Politician’s Proposal Would Punish Adults Who Don’t Have Kids
By Tyler Durden
Submitted by Carey Wedler via TheAntiMedia.org,
A Los Angeles city councilman provoked harsh criticism this week when he proposed a new city motion to ban single adults from parks and playgrounds.
As local outlet KTLA reports:
“If you are in a playground without a child and you’re not a guardian, you’re not allowed there.”
This proposed ban, introduced by L.A. city council member Mitch O’Farrell, would apply to individuals who go to the park to exercise. KTLA reporter Christina Pascucci, who filmed her story at a local park, motions to a man exercising near the edge the playground, explaining that “according to this new motion, that would not be allowed because he is not with any kids.”
Pascucci describes the details of the proposed policy:
“How is a playground area defined? Play areas and city parks are delineated by a perimeter, whether it’s sand, shrubs, a gate or a fence, and these areas would be clearly marked with signage stating the limited access — and you could be ticketed if you’re within that area.”
O’Farrell claims his motion is intended to address complaints from his Hollywood constituents that individuals are selling drugs in public parks, which endangers children.
The ban is rooted in precedents set by other major cities, including New York, where “police caused a minor uproar several years ago by ticketing people for sitting on playground-adjacent benches to eat donuts or play chess,” a Los Angeles Times op-ed on O’Farrell’s proposition notes.
Even as the Times acknowledges that measures must be taken to deal with illicit activity, the Editorial Board argues:
“But if drug dealing or vandalism is occurring at a site, then have police or park rangers patrol it regularly. If there is a childless adult hanging around, leering at kids or taking photographs, then enforce the state law that already makes it a criminal offense to loiter at a playground or school with an unlawful purpose.”
Indeed, loitering laws are already in place to prevent illegal activity around children, making it unclear how additional rules will bolster security.
L.A. residents at the park where KTLA reported the story rejected the new proposed regulations. Michael Paris, a single man, said:
“I don’t have kids yet…for the time being, I have my dog only. So if you’re going to kick me out of the park close to a playground, that to me is not fair.”
Another resident, Danielle Carrig, commented on the difficulty of enforcing a rule like O’Farrell’s. “Who’s gonna come by and look at adults over by the park and say, ‘Do you have children? And if you don’t you can’t be here,’” she wondered.
“I think we just have to be a better neighborhood and a better community together.”
Another local also advocated solutions within the neighborhood. “The point for me would be making the community more vigilant,” Patsy Cox observed.
KTLA reported that they couldn’t find anyone at the park who supported the motion, though others tweeted messages of support. One argued that because adults have segregated spaces where children …read more
Source: Los Angeles Politician’s Proposal Would Punish Adults Who Don’t Have Kids
