We the undersigned residents of the town of Apex request that changes be made to the municipal ordinance 14-28 Playing upon streets, sidewalks, and public places. 

We are compelled to petition that our town council members move to amend this ordinance immediately by differentiating residential streets in private neighborhood communities from other public streets which may be more impacted by pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Our specific neighborhood in Scotts Mill is FULL of children who routinely play outside. In their yards, on the sidewalks, and yes sometimes in front of their driveways in the street. It is perhaps one of the best parts of living in this particular neighborhood! We are conveniently located to a top rated elementary school which is in walking distance, and our children enjoy playing in their quiet and safe neighborhood. 

With the current ordinance, law enforcement has the obligation to respond to non-emergent calls from disgruntled neighbors who are not in favor of children playing outside or near their property citing this ordinance if the children step into the street or play on the sidewalk out of the street regardless of the level of parental supervision provided. Law enforcement may use their discretion in response to these types of calls, but this ordinance should not be used as a threat by our neighbors to parents, and more importantly to our children when they have engaged in healthy outdoor play! But IT IS happening....my 6yr old daughter learned how to ride her bike 2 weeks ago without training wheels for the first time! She was so proud of herself. Now instead of keeping that positive memory, she will remember the time when her neighbor repeatedly called the police. She was devastated, and begging to move. How can our children help but think they have done something wrong by simply and innocently playing and just being kids?

Thank you for your continued support, and engagement in this matter!