Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Readers want 'crazy' park ban benched
New York Daily News ^ | 9-28-2005 | TANYANIKA SAMUELS

Posted on 09/28/2005 8:39:28 AM PDT by Cagey

The verdict is in and most New Yorkers - at least those who took the Daily News' informal poll yesterday - think the law banning adults without children from some city parks is "crazy." "This whole idea is just absurd!" wrote one angry New Yorker in response to The News' story about a woman ticketed for sitting on a park bench in a Manhattan playground.

Cops cited Sandra Catena, a 47-year-old belly dancer, on Saturday as she sat in Rivington Playground on Forsyth St.

A sign at the entrance of the playground cites several prohibitions, including: "Adults Except in the Company of Children." Catena said she did not see it.

After confronting the woman for sitting in the playground alone, the two officers issued her a summons.

Catena now faces 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted. Her case goes to court in November.

E-mail responses to the story poured into The News. Most called the law "an outrage," "ridiculous" and "discriminating."

"We pay our taxes. We have the right to sit anywhere in the park we want to!" wrote one woman.

One incensed New Yorker called for a revolution of sorts.

"What needs to happen now is for people to descend on these parks en masse [leave the kids home] and sit on the benches," wrote Raymond of Manhattan.

Still, nearly a third of the three dozen responders said they agreed with police and parks officials who said the law was in place to protect children from pedophiles.

"It is wonderful to designate safe areas for children and those who do not belong there must learn not to use those facilities," one woman wrote. Another quipped, "If you're that tired, walk into a deli, buy something small and sit down."

One man hailed the police officers for their quick response.

"Let's give credit where credit is due. The woman was ticketed 'within minutes' of sitting alone on the bench. Great response by police," wrote Tom, of Matawan, N.J.

But not everyone was as kind.

"Let's get real," wrote one annoyed New Yorker. "The doughnut break is over, boys, let's get back to work!"


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-119 next last

1 posted on 09/28/2005 8:39:29 AM PDT by Cagey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Puppage

Follow up to your thread.


2 posted on 09/28/2005 8:41:17 AM PDT by Cagey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cagey
"We pay our taxes. We have the right to sit anywhere in the park we want to!" wrote one woman.

Pedophiles pay taxes, too.

3 posted on 09/28/2005 8:42:17 AM PDT by 4mycountry (Don't believe TheBigB's tag. Just quiver your lip a little and you'll be fine.) (: My special tag :)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cagey

If she faces jail time, she is entitled to a jury trial in NYC.

Shall we start voire dire? Panelist #1, have you ever....


4 posted on 09/28/2005 8:43:19 AM PDT by proxy_user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Cagey
a 47-year-old belly dancer,

NO pics please.

5 posted on 09/28/2005 8:43:28 AM PDT by Redcloak (We'll raise up our glasses against evil forces singin' "whiskey for my men and beer for my horses!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cagey
90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine

Good thing she wasn't smoking a cigarette: she'd be facing the death penalty.

6 posted on 09/28/2005 8:46:40 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cagey

I saw a similar sign in a park in San Francisco. My immediate thought was that if you have such a problem that a city ordinance must be developed to allow fines for using the park without kids, it's time to flatten the entire city.

I want that ordinance vigorously enforced, not ignored.


7 posted on 09/28/2005 8:47:47 AM PDT by cyclotic (Cub Scouts-Teach 'em young to be men, and politically incorrect in the process)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Let me see if I get this--if a pedophile brings a young victim to this area in the park and sits with him he will not get arrested. If the victim's mother--or father--enters looking for him she/he will. Wonderful!


8 posted on 09/28/2005 8:52:15 AM PDT by milagro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Cagey

How about a reality check...the sign is at the entrance to a fenced-off playground within a park, not the park itself. The benches to which it refers are within the fenced-off playground area. And, the officers told her that a judge will likely dismiss the matter. Now, where would the public sensibility be if a child were stolen from that playground by a woman who sat there for an hour watching and waiting and the officers in the area ignored her?


9 posted on 09/28/2005 8:54:30 AM PDT by wtc911 (see my profile for how to contribute to a pentagon heroes fund)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cyclotic

Playground - not park.


10 posted on 09/28/2005 8:55:39 AM PDT by wtc911 (see my profile for how to contribute to a pentagon heroes fund)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: 4mycountry
Pedophiles pay taxes, too.

Odd comment.

11 posted on 09/28/2005 8:56:01 AM PDT by Protagoras (Call it what it is, partial delivery murder)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Cagey

Someone has been listening to Aqualung a little too much.


12 posted on 09/28/2005 8:57:49 AM PDT by dfwgator (Flower Mound, TX)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Redcloak

Ditto that.


13 posted on 09/28/2005 8:58:51 AM PDT by Constitution Day
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Cagey

Anyone whos had to deal with the freaks, perverts and pedophiles that were most likely the impetous for this law in the first place, understand all to well the need for it.

You don't have kids, walk another block to another park.


14 posted on 09/28/2005 8:58:54 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: milagro
Let me see if I get this--if a pedophile brings a young victim to this area in the park and sits with him he will not get arrested. If the victim's mother--or father--enters looking for him she/he will. Wonderful!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

That's what you think this says? Wow.

15 posted on 09/28/2005 8:59:25 AM PDT by wtc911 (see my profile for how to contribute to a pentagon heroes fund)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Protagoras

What I mean by that statement is, good people and bad people pay taxes, but I wouldn't want the bad people hanging around potential victims just because they give their money to the IRS.

I hope they enforce this park ban. I really do. If it keeps the crazies away from the kiddies, then I'm all for it.


16 posted on 09/28/2005 9:00:58 AM PDT by 4mycountry (Don't believe TheBigB's tag. Just quiver your lip a little and you'll be fine.) (: My special tag :)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Cagey

In some Islamic countries they have little or no tolerance for single males near family activities. There are family sections in restaurants, family time at the malls, and similar rules at the parks.

I don't have much admiration for Islamic culture but this is one area that I can agree with.

Typically the adults that can't understand family areas are either extremely selfish or are up to no good.


17 posted on 09/28/2005 9:06:07 AM PDT by Eagle Eye (Liberalism is an ill fated luxury that we cannot afford at this time; it does not work in a crisis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 4mycountry
If it's a park ban, I'm against it. The logical extention of it is crazy.

If it is a ban on one fenced in area, a playground, It seems logical.

A society where people are guilty until proved innocent is not a livable society.

18 posted on 09/28/2005 9:08:06 AM PDT by Protagoras (Call it what it is, partial delivery murder)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

Comment #19 Removed by Moderator

To: Redcloak

20 posted on 09/28/2005 9:12:07 AM PDT by Solamente
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-119 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson