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!"
Follow up to your thread.
Pedophiles pay taxes, too.
If she faces jail time, she is entitled to a jury trial in NYC.
Shall we start voire dire? Panelist #1, have you ever....
NO pics please.
Good thing she wasn't smoking a cigarette: she'd be facing the death penalty.
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.
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!
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?
Playground - not park.
Odd comment.
Someone has been listening to Aqualung a little too much.
Ditto that.
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.
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That's what you think this says? Wow.
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.
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.
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.
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