I would say this...having been around some parts of Maryland...if this area in question is Baltimore, then the cops were right. Even some areas of Rockville....are not that friendly.
or Bowie.
Woodside Park in Silver Springs is pretty upscale, much more so than the rest of Silver Springs.
The mom in this case is an oceanographer and treehugger.
In a small town this may be fine these days but the country has changed a LOT since I was a 10 year old in the late seventies.
1. There are a lot more people even in the more rural suburbs and a lot of these people are strangers unlike in a small town where everyone knows everyone and they will look out for kids.
2. Our facebag, computer and cell phone habits have created a very reclusive society. Most people don’t spend any time outside or get to know the people in a 1 mile radius. Not all people but most.
3. There are fewer kids playing outside, so they can’t have safety in numbers. My kids play outside all the time and I let them go to the park down the street but then again its not 1 mile away. They sometimes have trouble getting other kids out of their houses to play.
4. Pedophiles are more plentiful due to the internet and easy available child porn. These people have always existed but with the internet and the exposure to porn, I think some people that would normally live life without abusing a child may be lured into that lifestyle more easy via the internet.
5. People that see bad things happening seem to reach for a cell phone to take video rather than help someone in trouble. So if my kids were attacked by a dog or something, I wonder if a bystander would help or run and call the police? I saw a news story last night where a 70 year old lady pulled a man from a burning car! At least one young male witness went on about how brave she was to help the man. IF HE SAW IT HAPPEN WHY DID HE NOT HELP!!!? He looked to be about 22 years old! Once all the older folks die off, will anyone help someone in trouble??
6. In most places, both spouses work. There are no women at home keeping an eye on the neighbors kids when they roam around the hood. Houses are empty, and even when people are home, all windows and doors are shut, so you have no idea what is going on outside.
Sorry,this is never right the kids belong to the parents not the frigen village