JPCA Wants Playground Signs

Many parents have long complained about the problem of loitering adults, especially men, who bother and pester young children in area parks. The problem is getting worse even though most children are carefully guarded by their parents in playground areas.

In New York, there are over 11,500 registered sexual offenders under Megan’s Law, whereas in Maine there are 269. Of the 11,500 in New York, over 700 have been protected from community notification.

To help protect children, the Juniper Park Civic Association is asking that signs reading "No adults admitted without the company of a child" be installed in children’s playgrounds within all neighborhood parks. The signs may elicit chuckles from the general population, but to a predator they can act as a deterrent. These signs would be placed around swings, pools and other areas where only children should be playing. They would not be meant to keep anyone from freely using the areas of the park, just give parents the right to call for help if anyone continually bothers their children. The JPCA has learned that if these signs were in place, and the 911 hotline number was called when these unsavory people were in the area, action could be taken. Currently these signs are used in selected parks throughout the city of New York.

Last week, through a request from the Juniper Park Civic Association, these signs were installed in the children’s playground at Juniper Valley Park. With the installation of the signs many parents have said they feel their children are safer.

The Juniper Park Civic Association is actively supporting youth by bringing readings to the park as well as holding Children’s Safety Day in conjunction with the Parks Department and the 104th Police Precinct.

For more information, contact the Juniper Park Civic Association at 651-5865 or by e-mail at juniperc@aol.com.