Many millennials could find themselves barred from public playgrounds if liberal lawmakers in Los Angeles have their way.
Public playgrounds are open to all citizens to enjoy, as are most parks, but that freedom could be threatened after a Los Angeles City Councilman proposed to ban single adults from playgrounds in the name of safety.
While the Councilman likely has good intentions regarding his proposal, it could create an atmosphere where millennials aren’t welcome. The proposal comes in the name of safety in order to keep parks “free of creepy activity.” The law would effectively bar drug dealers and pedophiles from going near parks with playgrounds. The only problem is that both of those things are already outlawed.
Existing laws make it illegal for adults to loiter at schools and playgrounds without a legitimate reason. Rather than enforcing that law, the city of Los Angeles appears to be looking to add more unnecessary regulations that could do more harm than good.
A prime example comes from the gaming community. Parks are popular areas where Pokemon Go players, many of whom are millennials, venture to enjoy their gameplay. As a result of the law, those players could find themselves branded as criminals for playing the game and minding their own business.
Parks are also popular spots for exercising and relaxation for non-gaming citizens as well. Under the proposed law, single, unaccompanied adults, who exercise or relax in a park within the vicinity of a playground, could face legal action, such as a fine.
The proposed law is based on an ordinance passed in New York City. As a result of the law, adults unaccompanied by a child received tickets for playing chess, eating a doughnut near a park playground, and other harmless activities. Violation of the ordinance can result in imprisonment for up to 90 days as well as a fine of up to $1,000.
If the law goes into effect, Los Angeles will join a handful of areas with similar legislation.
Hudson County, New Jersey passed an ordinance that banned both adults and older teenagers from going near playgrounds in county parks. In this case, the law prohibits anyone over the age of 12 years of age unless a child accompanies them.
Hollywood, Florida joined the growing list of places banning single adults from public park playgrounds in 2015. Like the Hudson County ordinance, children must be under the age of 12. If convicted of violating the municipal ordinance, violators could face imprisonment of up to 60 days as well as a fine of up to $500.
Single adults are not inherently, regardless of sex, a danger to children. That, however, is precisely how the new law would view them if liberals have their way. Almost every county has a law on the books that bans sex offenders and other undesirable people from loitering at parks near children as well as around schools. If existing laws fail to deter them, then adding more certainly won’t help and could even complicate matters further.
