As concerned New Canaan moms and dads, we respectfully ask for clarification from the police department as to where the line is drawn with respect to using parental judgment to run our family life, and when making an informed personal choice in that regard becomes a felony. Those of us who feel blessed to live in this community, who allow our young children to ride bikes outside with friends or walk to town, walk home from school (across South Ave.) beginning in first grade, leave older children to watch younger children, and allow our young teens to babysit even younger children, are now fearful of crossing these undefined lines ourselves. How is that so different from a parent making a judgment in their own home about what a child can or cannot handle?

Furthermore, we are concerned about what message is being sent when someone calls 911 following an accident, only to then be called out and punished for doing so. What if no one calls for help the next time a child suffers an accident if the situation could possibly be turned against them? What if that child suffers serious injury or worse because someone is afraid to call the police?

We hope the police department will take this opportunity to host a town hall or write an open letter to address our concerns and ensure that we can continue to feel comfortable being good parents who can trust our own judgment, and also work as partners with our local police and not feel they are our adversaries.

Please sign this letter if you would like to hear a response from our police department.