Opinion: Everyone ought to be able to enjoy the park — including adults without children

To the editor: Children’s safety in public parks is not a trivial issue, yet Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell’s proposal to prevent “creepy activity” by prohibiting adults unaccompanied by children from entering playgrounds is over the top. Imagine a park sign reading, “No dogs or adults unaccompanied by a child allowed.” (“L.A.’s proposed ban on single adults near playgrounds is fear-based policy making at its worst,” editorial, Dec. 27)

Frightening or obnoxious behavior is a public park is a serious situation and requires serious, realistic attention, perhaps starting with improved police attention and especially attentive parents. Parks are there for everyone, and they are often used by workers who need some quiet time outside the office or by delivery truck drivers on a lunch break.

People ought to be able to enjoy the park because it is there.

Harvey Barkan, Studio City

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To the editor: The proposed playground ban of adults without children is wrong, as your editorial points out without real emphasis of the main point: It is a breach of freedom.

Homeless people (as they are called) are allowed to intrude on public property where some of them commit all sorts of wrongdoing and crimes including unsanitary activities, but a park visitor just hanging around might get cited?

I hike in Griffith Park. Sometimes, if I am near a playground, I take a break and watch the children play. So do other grownups. I am a retired lawyer with two grown daughters. If and when I am cited, the next step will be court.

Michael H. Miller, Los Angeles

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