There is this man (at least 65) that hangs out in the same park that my son goes to, a local park that is closeby. He has no kids of his own and no reason to be in this park, it is a kiddie park and is completely closed off (except for one door) with swings and a jungle gym. He brings his 2 guinea pigs to the park and sits them on the bench with him, which I see as bait to bring the kids over to talk to him. I have a strong feeling he is a pedophile. Is there anything I can do to get him out of the park? Do I have the legal right to ask him to leave? What would you do? Other parents have mentioned that he is creepy and they want him out as well.
2006-07-15 05:51:00 · 17 answers · asked by frogaholic2006 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
look for his picture on the sex offender registry, IF he is listed, he is most likely NOT supposed to be in the park.
IF he is listed, call the police the next time you see him there, they can come and get him and put him in jail IF he has been in trouble for that before and is on probation or parole.
IF HE IS NOT THERE: he may be a potential threat, OR he may be just a weird guy who is harmless. It is incumbent upon the parents to always WATCH DILIGENTLY where ever you are in public.
YOU DO NOT have the right to ask him to leave, it is a public park. Try introducing yourself, you may find he's just a lonely person. They are everywhere, and being lonely and going out to the park is not criminal activity.
If he still makes you uncomfortable, you could make a report of your concerns to one of the community outreach officers most police departments have now, and they can give you guidance.
OR take your kids to another park.
Good luck
2006-07-15 05:56:00 · answer #1 · answered by redsoxfan11x 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well, the answer certainly isn't standing around talking to each other....he's still coming to the park.
how do you know he's a pedophile? how you know the guinea pigs are kid bait? do the park rules indicate that if one doesn't have a child, one cannot visit the park? probably not, and it may not be illegal for him to be there otherwise. if you and the other parents are uneasy about his presence, then take preventive steps...let the man know you're aware of him and unaccusingly ask him why he visits so frequently, each parent talk to his/her child(ren), and in addition to those steps, each of you alert your local police with your feelings NOT unfounded suspicions so they can monitor the park. you cannot claim he's a pedophile when you haven't got proof.
c'mon this isn't rocket science.
2006-07-15 06:01:17 · answer #2 · answered by loving 40+ 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
how do you know he is a pedophile you need to be real sure before you make that call because he is an old man and my just need someone to talk to you said he has no kids do you know this for sure i mean you are judging someone you dont know and if you push this to far you could destroy the mans life so you as a parant need to look into this very well does any one bother old ladys in the park with out kids maybee the old man just wants to be a nice guy yo the kids or he might be a retired police man him self think befor you accuse him of any thing
2006-07-15 06:43:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If this man has approached a child in a wrong manner then you have a legal complaint. Watch your children and don't let them alone. If the man is just talking to them this is not illegal. I understand your problem. If this park is a public place he can not be restricted unless an activity he has done breaks the law. I would also be slightly careful of discrimination against the elderly.
2006-07-15 06:14:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you should go one day without your children and talk to him. Maybe he has a story that isn't creepy, ie a grandfather who never gets to see his grandkids. Regardless, this way you can find out his name and check it in the sexual predator database online. It should be accessible from your state's website. If you get to talk to him, you'll know soon enough what his intentions are. And if he gives you the heeby-geebies still, if he gives you a weird story, if he seems not forth-coming, or if he refuses to talk to you, definitely report him to the police. Your kids are too important to risk it, but there is no need to embarass the old guy if he truly is harmless or just lonely.
2006-07-15 06:13:56 · answer #5 · answered by Allison G 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
PERSONALLY I feel you are heartless and acting all mighty. He's a single lonely OLD MAN with possibly no family. Instead of rotting away shut in a room somewhere he takes his pets out and sits in a PUBLIC PARK. He is the public. If you don't want anyone you don't see as perfect and fit up to your standards of a human being exposed to your child go to a Private play house or club thing. If you feel he's trying to lure children the police can be called as to questions about him. If he has no record is not drinking or breaking park rules mind your own and tell your kids not to go around or talk to him. I think it's stupid to have BLIND fear of a old guy. You are teaching your kids anyone who's not like them is defective and BAD. You seem very sheltered and like to gossip and cause needless trouble. Even young people hurt kids! WOMEN have hurt kids so just ask everyone to leave when you arrive to make you feel better. You don't want anyone with unpure thought around your kids.
2006-07-15 07:16:13 · answer #6 · answered by ally'smom 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
What if this guy was someone's grandpa, husband, dad? You have no idea who this guy is. He might just really enjoy people and love talking to kids. Why don't you try to talk to him, ask his name and then look him up on familywatchdog,com to see if he is a pedophile? He could be completely innocent and you women just might be jumping to conclusions. You know how we are. I just had the same experience. I saw this creepy looking guy in a motorized wheelchair at the park. He was talking to my son, and I made my son come over and sit with me. It turns out, he was just there with his family, they just weren't over by him. I felt stupid and sad, because I judged him just by how he looked.
2006-07-15 05:57:30 · answer #7 · answered by Good Gushy 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he is just lonely and misses having kids around. Maybe you should get to know him and find out his background. If he still gives you the creeps, you can politely tell him that your children are not allowed to speak to strangers.
You can also look him up on the sexual predators list on your state police homepage.
2006-07-15 05:56:20 · answer #8 · answered by mynickname 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Until you actually see him do something illegal you may not have much recourse. Unless you are the guy with the guinea pigs try to find a way to avoid detection.
2006-07-15 05:53:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just watch him and your children close. Go in (or call) and let the police department know of your concern. They should be willing to watch for him also. Another idea is to go to a city council meeting or talk to one of the members about an ordinance to keep sex offenders out of public playgrounds. Where I live, this law just passed. Of course, if he has never been convicted it will do no good, but still a good idea!
2006-07-15 08:37:11 · answer #10 · answered by Brooke 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋