Every day, at Hathaway Park, dozens of innocent children come to play, laugh, and enjoy their childhood. Trouble arises when across the street, a building houses registered sex offenders and child rapists. These nefarious individuals can overshadow the precious moments of our children's lives with a dark cloud. The safety of our neighborhood and the innocence of our children is under threat due to this chilling proximity. As it stands, there are regulations preventing such individuals from being near schools and daycare centers, yet inexplicably, no similar protection is in place for parks.

According to the Department of Justice, the majority of victims of sexual assault and related crimes in the U.S. are under 18, signifying the crucial need for expanding child protection measures (U.S. Department of Justice, 2020). After schools, parks are the second most frequented space by children, making them particularly vulnerable areas (American Planning Association, 2019). Simply put, parks should not be overlooked in the protective legislation.

This petition pleads for the inclusion of parks in areas where registered sex offenders are forbidden to live or stay near. It's our moral and social duty to protect our children. Your signature can contribute to build a safer environment for our community's young ones. Please, sign and share this petition to get parks on the prohibited list for sex offenders and ensure the safety of our children.