This appeared on my neighborhood social media site:

“Hi all, I’m a babysitter in the neighborhood and witnessed some suspicious activity at the Costanso Fire Station 84 Park. There was an older man taking photos of children through the fence at the park. When I asked him what he was doing he responded with - “I remember when my kids were that young”. As he continued taking photos I took out my phone and took one of him. Please be careful at this park and others in general. I’ve encountered some interesting people here before but this was over the line. When you’re at a park it’s not only extremely important to keep an eye on your kids but the environment around them as well. I’m a caregiver and have to be proactive when I have children under my care. I have an obligation to bring attention to things that seem out of the ordinary. He didn’t seem like he was a photographer or a passerby that was admiring kids at play. His behavior was bizarre. Just trying to inform everyone to be aware! “

There were many replies. The general tone was supportive. Two typical replies that stuck with me are included below:

“Sorry, it's creepy and inappropriate. If you're a photographer, there are plenty of other ways to take pics of children, i.e, kids of friends, relatives etc. For me, taking pics of random kids is a reason to be suspicious. There are to many pedophiles around. It's our job to protect our kids, better over protective than not enough and something happen. This will be the next guy you see on the news being arrested for having thousands of pics of kids on his computer. Good looking out girl!!”

“In today’s world No one should be taking photos of any children they do not know through a gated fence in a public park period. That gate is open and if it is a father/grandfather he could have gone inside to take photos of his kids.”

In 1968 I worked as a newspaper photgraher in Montreal. On a slow and HOT news day in Summer, the editor would dispatch me to the park or the beach to shoot kids in the wading pools- folks at the beaches, etc. Back in the day, the parents would encourage their kids to "splash around in the water for the photographer". They would come over and ask when the pictures would be published and ask if they could buy copies of the unpublished ones for themselves.

Nowadays, I wouldn't be caught dead with a camera in any of those locations- a park, beach or playground where there are kids. I'm sure someone would call the police or attack me.

If I need to work at any of those locations on a commercial job, I don't take on the assignment unless the area is cordoned off, we use professional models, and all the paperwork, permits and releases have to be in order.

One day, not long ago, I have hired to photograh the exterior of a building that's housing a recreation center. Two women and a security guard accosted me and said: "what are you doing- there are children in that building"! There was not a child in sight and I assured them that I did not have an X-ray camera that could see through the concrete walls. The security guard looked hostel so I told him I was going to call the police if did not step away. Then I produced the work order from the city that authorized me to photograh the building. They apologized and walked away!

It's disgusting. I suppose what with the proliferation of child pornography and so many reported cases of pedophilia caused criminal activities, folks have begun to equate certain kinds of perfectly legitimate and proper photogray with voyeurism and child molestation.

It's certainly is a sad commentary but it is now ingrained in our society along with many other serious misconceptions.

So... randomly shooting kids in the playground, even the "bathing beauties at the seaside" is a thing of the past. Forgetaboutit!

Yes! There are bad guys out there and we all have to be vigilant and protect our kids and all kids. It's just that some folks tend to indiscriminately "profile" others who they don't even know and oftentimes jump to the wrong conclusions.

My coping mechanism is simple. I concentrate on what I am allowed to photograph, not what is restricted, prohibited, forbidden or will cause undeserved grief. There's lots of stuff to shoot out there and plenty of folks who love being photographed.

Unfortunately and seriously- this is nothg to joke about- it's a real problem.

Another "Free Range" kid, 50's and 60's - - but it is a more crowded and sinister world we live in today. Sounds like over reaction, but in light of the pedophiles, and mass shooters, etc. easy to understand folks concerns. The authorities are pushing the "see something, say something" mindset constantly, so I understand the reaction. And the sources of pedophiles abound, clergy, scout leaders, cops/firemen, civic leaders, neighbors, their own relatives, etc. etc.

A couple decades back, when my son was still in school and we were heavily involved in RC car/truck racing, I went to do a nitro truck engine break in and test session at the schoolyard (needed the open area, and no cars/trucks like on the street - Sunday afternoon, middle of summer and there were no children there when I arrived) - after about 20 minutes of running this truck I suddenly found myself surrounded by probably 15 kids on bikes and walking. They were nice and very interested and watching from the sidelines, no trouble at all. I had about another 40 minutes of running to reach the point of fully "broken in motor" when I was "swarmed" by a small group of local mom's - talk about a scary experience!!

They were sure I was there to lure kids and abduct, do horrible things, and they were intent on running me out. Very unfriendly group, there were 3 primes and a couple "hangers", it was very confrontational, in my face - When I said everyone was welcome to watch until I was finished (moms included), that wasn't good enough!!! Needless to say, I packed up my gear and left, as they were threatening me!! I will never forget that experience. This was in the pre-cellphone days, so calling the cops from where I was parked was not possible.

I was an innocent person (I do not have a record, have never been arrested, or even investigated for any criminal activity, did posses security clearances, confidential and secret, which I had been investigated for). I told the moms I'd be glad if the children left, but they made it clear that I better clear out or they wouild call the police, with insinuations..... I felt it best to leave, and if I ever went back it would be with my kids, or my wife in tow, or both!.

To this day I understand their concerns, but being run off my son's schoolyard through "mob mentality" was a very disheartening experience. Some say I should have stuck it out, some say I should have left..... I chose the latter, but the whole episode still bothers me some 25 years later.

For 12 years, I did candids of events at a school for their yearbook. It became natural to cover events that way, including weddings and street festivals. Left the US for 22 years in '94. When I came back, I was at a restaurant with some friends and a bunch of high-school kids came in, all dressed up after their Senior Ball. I instinctively snapped a shot as a documentary of American life to show my friends overseas. My American friends were shocked, told me to "Stop that!". When I asked why, they said, "It's creepy!" This is just one of the many changes that are still giving me reverse-culture shock as I return to the US.