If I saw those kids I'd be watching them and afraid to leave them alone even if I didn't know them
There is something “unnatural” about the “parenting” style professed by these geek parents. Maybe the authorities are being overprotective ( I don't think so, people who see these little kids roaming a mile or more from home know in their gut this isn't safe) but it is safer for the kids if they err on the side of caution
54 years ago my 6 year old brother and I were at the ballpark playing baseball as we were most days with our friends and cousins. Some creep grabbed my brother and I beat him down literally with my baseball bat until some older folks came over and held him until the beat cop got there. I was 10.