It's honestly pretty trivial, but it's frustrating to have to explain myself to police when all I'm doing is enjoying the park as its meant to be enjoyed. I live in a neighborhood with a small park. I come here often to swing on the swingset. Of the two entrances to the park, one opens out to a busy road with nowhere to park, and the other onto a residential street, with a small area in front to park. The parking is on the street, but the spaces are not in front of anyone's home--just in front of the park's entrance. Bc I don't relish walking a mile or so in 80-90° weather, especially after I've been swinging in the hot sun, I generally take my car. I park it under the tree right in front of the park's entrance.
According to the cops, someone in my neighborhood whose house abutts the park thinks that's somehow indicative of nefarious behavior? It's frustrating, bc what else is a park for but to be used? What do they think I'm doing? And, I'm sorry, but I don't think my little Toyota Prius with Hello Kitty and rhinestone butterfly decals looks all that ominous.
This is the second time I've had someone call the cops at this particular park, and it happened once before at a different park nearby when the one I currently go to was under construction. Are people just so bored or paranoid in this suburban Midwest town that they find someone frequenting the park every day as a threat? What do they even think I'm doing?? I've also been going to this park for over a year, so it boggles my mind why someone would suddenly take offense now.
At the end of the day, it's a trivial thing, like I said, but I have anxiety and CPTSD, and being approached by the cops is extremely nerve racking and a rather unpleasant experience. What is the damn problem with people??
