Smoking weed in playground and no one cares
Two nights ago my son dragged me to the playground on Park Place bet. Grand/Classon. The park was filled with 20-25 kids and about 30 adults.
A row of young men (some fathers of the children playing) sat on the benches right next to monkey bars, slides, etc. all smoking weed and blowing the smoke litteraly into the kids faces.
What disturbed me the most was that this did not seem to bother anyone.
The moms were oblivious, they didn't care. Everything just seemed status quo.
In the future I will simply avoid this playground. But I just had to get this off my chest.
A row of young men (some fathers of the children playing) sat on the benches right next to monkey bars, slides, etc. all smoking weed and blowing the smoke litteraly into the kids faces.
What disturbed me the most was that this did not seem to bother anyone.
The moms were oblivious, they didn't care. Everything just seemed status quo.
In the future I will simply avoid this playground. But I just had to get this off my chest.
Comments
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In the future you should call the Police and provide a detailed description of the perpetrators.
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I'm not saying this is right but it could be worse
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i have been in that playground a number of times and aside from some loud music and kids playing basketball on the monkey bars, i haven't had any trouble, but i usually go there in the afternoons. It's not the fanciest playground, but it works for us. On the other hand, i know that smoking pot is illegal but honestly it doesn't bother me if people do it. You have to face the fact that smoking pot is part of the "culture" in this part of town. You don't have to like it, but that's where you live...sometimes we either have to make peace with things we don't like, do something to change them, or leave. Forgive me if my comments come across as offensive, it's not my intention, it's just my opinion. And no, i don't want you to leave!
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Wow! Doing illegal drugs is the "Culture". Thats pretty messed up! I think we have just identified part of the problem. The fact that people accept this illegal behavior as the norm. Thats why the Neighborhood will continue to be the way it is. What else should we make peace with? Gang activity? Getting Robbed? How bout being randomly attacked by teens?
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Well, at least they weren't drinking Nighttrain or Funky Monkey. You get a row of young men drunk on alcohol and you never know what will happen. At least with weed they usually don't start any trouble.
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I think it is rather ridiculous to compare smoking marijuana in public with gang activity, robbery and teen violence. If anything if we gave the gangs robbers and teens more weed to smoke they would stop doing the things that are undesirable. I don't want to start a whole debate on the legality of marijuana but the truth is that marijuana is ilegal in this country for all the wrong reasons and if you had to choose between people smoking weed in a park or drinking alcohol that most sane people would say smoke the weed.
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Well, thank heavens they weren't smoking cigarettes. Filthy nicotine addicts!
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MeredithB wrote: Well, at least they weren't drinking Nighttrain or Funky Monkey. You get a row of young men drunk on alcohol and you never know what will happen. At least with weed they usually don't start any trouble.
and they would probably move off if you asked them nicely due to the children. -
I think that you all have missed kdb's original point, which was not that smoking marijuana per se is wrong, but that blowing the smoke into the faces of small children whose bodies are still developing is inexcusable. Regardless of our beliefs on the legal or moral issues of marijuana, I think we can all agree that blowing the smoke into the face (or even in the presence) of a child should be frowned upon. IMO, this is no different than children being exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke and should not be casually dismissed as "culture".
So, kdb, I'm on your side and I commend you for your post. -
I can only speak for myself but I definitely agree that smoking anything in the presence of children is wrong and should not happen, especially in public places like parks, etc.
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This post was not about smoking weed, but 1) about doing so in presence of children and 2) about the "non chalant this is so normal" vibe encountered.
It made me think of all the behaviours that are not right and the community's tolarance/embrace of them. However I too, rather than speak up or do something, simply avoid places and situation that make me uncomfortable. I do this because i just don't know what to do to make the community better.
Overall, I feel there is a take it or leave it kind of attitude. For the most part we really like living here, and don't want to leave. -
I occasionally bring my kids to this park and hadn't seen this behavior, but will avoid the place from now on. What adults do in the privacy of their homes is their business, but I do NOT want my young children being exposed to weed. I don't even want them knowing about it, and if they see a bunch of men smoking "funny cigarettes," they might ask.
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Bricktop wrote: I do NOT want my young children being exposed to weed. I don't even want them knowing about it, and if they see a bunch of men smoking "funny cigarettes," they might ask.
Good luck with this.
I'm not sure where you should move to, maybe Utah. -
it's more than a crime, it's poor parenting as well. I have seen (not at this park in particular) parents bring their young children with them to the corner to buy drugs. I would expect those kids to grow up thinking drugs are OK. I think that's a bigger problem.
BTW what is "funky monkey"? -
To the OP:
When you say "literally blowing it in their faces" do you mean that they were stooping down to give the kids a "shotgun"? -
wirenut wrote: it's more than a crime, it's poor parenting as well. I have seen (not at this park in particular) parents bring their young children with them to the corner to buy drugs. I would expect those kids to grow up thinking drugs are OK. I think that's a bigger problem.
Think of marijuana as medicine. Funky Monkey is (or used to be) a cheap bottled mix drink like Nightrain.
BTW what is "funky monkey"? -
I agree with KWAC. Illegal behavior is too often condoned. I think we have identified the problem.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/nyregion/12guns.html?scp=1&sq=testilying&st=nyt -
I thought it was called Brass Monkey.
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Subject: where did you people grow up?
Well I grew up in a rural area where as a kid it was normal to see adults in my town, whether it be a party or town celebration, with drinks in their hand. After moving to New York and spending time with other families I have witnessed and heard about the same type of behavior at parties, in Prospect Park, at bars (Union Hall?) and the like. I am sorry, but I don't think that smoking pot and relaxing in a local park is that different from all that. Why not explain to your child what those guys are doing? Are you going to let your kids be blind to the act of smoking weed until they are in junior high and trying it for themselves? -
Subject: Re: where did you people grow up?
bitsy wrote: Well I grew up in a rural area where as a kid it was normal to see adults in my town, whether it be a party or town celebration, with drinks in their hand. After moving to New York and spending time with other families I have witnessed and heard about the same type of behavior at parties, in Prospect Park, at bars (Union Hall?) and the like. I am sorry, but I don't think that smoking pot and relaxing in a local park is that different from all that. Why not explain to your child what those guys are doing? Are you going to let your kids be blind to the act of smoking weed until they are in junior high and trying it for themselves?
Good point. Reminds me of this children's book about marijuana. -
Good opportunity to introduce kids to another part of the "culture" aka "the police"
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Subject: ha.
yeah, it is true. police are part of our "culture". i've never had trouble smoking the entire time i have lived in this city. you know what i have been busted for? riding my bike on the sidewalk and putting my legs up on a subway seat. the guys in uniform in this town are a whole different lesson. -
Subject: Re: where did you people grow up?
bitsy wrote: Well I grew up in a rural area where as a kid it was normal to see adults in my town, whether it be a party or town celebration, with drinks in their hand. After moving to New York and spending time with other families I have witnessed and heard about the same type of behavior at parties, in Prospect Park, at bars (Union Hall?) and the like. I am sorry, but I don't think that smoking pot and relaxing in a local park is that different from all that. Why not explain to your child what those guys are doing? Are you going to let your kids be blind to the act of smoking weed until they are in junior high and trying it for themselves?
It's illegal. Drinking in one's home is not illegal. Neither is drinking in a bar, even if a child is present. Most likely in your hometown public drinking bans are rescinded for celebrations and holidays, much as they are here in NYC for certain occasions (street fairs, concerts, etc).
Smoking weed is illegal and as such until laws are changed - is to be done away from public view, like most other illegal activities.
What if they were doing lines, or shooting up, would that be cool?
If not, why? Plenty of people in this world; myself included; friends; loved ones have done one or all of the above, so why not do it in public?
I think because there is clear line between being oneself and setting yourself apart from societal norms (potentially a huge list of behaviors ranging from tattoos, clothing, being gay, liking hip-hop, unicycling...) and telling the world around you to fuck off.
I mean there are tons of places to smoke - in your home or your friend's home or some hidden public place away from prying eyes. You can smoke at certain bars, clubs or concerts, etc. - but to choose a child's playground? You’re an asshole because you are now forcing your ADULT bullshit into a place it does not belong. The kids may be puzzled and frightened by your weed smoking and the parents/guardians present now have to account for your complete asshattery in terms relatable to the child.
What I’m trying to stress here isn’t that it’s the weed that’s scary and weird – it’s adults who smoke weed in a public place devoted to children who are scary and weird. As scary and weird as if I was in a playground in broad daylight shooting dope, or engaging in full-contact bare knuckle boxing or having sex – it’s not the appropriate setting to be doing that shit. The weed smokers are out of line.
I feel the same about people who smoke weed on street corners or on their front stoop – it’s not the place for your bullshit. -
I'd like to add that most members of the local "culture" (i.e. African-American and Caribbean) would be appalled by what the OP described.
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Reminds me of when I taught an after-school program in Bed-Stuy. We had an end of year performance and the whole auditorium stank like weed from the audience. Sad.
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Subject: Weed
The whole illegal argument is crap. There are DEFINITELY things that are illegal that are part of our culture. Speeding. J-Walking. If anybody tells me not to J-walk because it's illegal, I'll laugh at them. The real problem is that smoking weed is not part of YOUR culture so you have a problem with it, and the fact that it's illegal is the justification for your complaint.
If the problem is simply a matter of the children's health, then you would have a legitimate argument: except that cigarette smoke is as bad, or worse.
With respect to the children thinking that smoking weed is scary or weird, I can't imagine that they will recognize the difference between guys smoking joints and guys smoking cigarettes. If a child were to ask what the guys were doing. You can say smoking. If they notice that it's different than cigarettes, just explain there is more than one thing that people smoke (cloves being another legal option) and that smoking IN GENERAL is bad for you. If you are putting yourself between a rock and a hard place because you, yourself, smoke cigarettes in front of your children. Well, then, you have a bigger problem than worrying about what OTHER people do in front of your kids. -
Subject: Re: Weed
WrightLeft wrote: The real problem is that smoking weed is not part of YOUR culture so you have a problem with it, and the fact that it's illegal is the justification for your complaint.
I feel the same way about... hmm... female circumcism, bigamy, and child brides.
Oh, and trafficking in Nordic sex slaves. -
Subject: Re: Weed
WrightLeft wrote: The whole illegal argument is crap. There are DEFINITELY things that are illegal that are part of our culture. Speeding. J-Walking. If anybody tells me not to J-walk because it's illegal, I'll laugh at them. The real problem is that smoking weed is not part of YOUR culture so you have a problem with it, and the fact that it's illegal is the justification for your complaint.
Without getting into a whole thing - name a "culture" where weed smoking in front of your kids and others in public is common and acceptable.
If the problem is simply a matter of the children's health, then you would have a legitimate argument: except that cigarette smoke is as bad, or worse.
With respect to the children thinking that smoking weed is scary or weird, I can't imagine that they will recognize the difference between guys smoking joints and guys smoking cigarettes. If a child were to ask what the guys were doing. You can say smoking. If they notice that it's different than cigarettes, just explain there is more than one thing that people smoke (cloves being another legal option) and that smoking IN GENERAL is bad for you. If you are putting yourself between a rock and a hard place because you, yourself, smoke cigarettes in front of your children. Well, then, you have a bigger problem than worrying about what OTHER people do in front of your kids.
Like, the cannabis leaf is on the flag, or bedtime stories are filled with stories of how the hero smoked a blunt and slew the evil witch, or on a girl's 16th birthday her mom and grandma and aunts take her out and they all get stoned together as a bonding ritual - you know "culture".
Inform me, please. I think some Amazonian aboriginal tribes may chew on a narcotic leaf of some sort. Are you talking about a culture like that, but with weed? I'd love to know. -
Subject: Re: Weed
daver wrote: [quote=WrightLeft]The real problem is that smoking weed is not part of YOUR culture so you have a problem with it, and the fact that it's illegal is the justification for your complaint.
I feel the same way about... hmm... female circumcism, bigamy, and child brides.
Oh, and trafficking in Nordic sex slaves.
Good point - But you don't need to justify complaints of those things by citing the law against them. you could list lots of reasons why that those things are bad.
No one's given any reasons why smoking pot in the playground is any worse than smoking cigarettes. And if it's not... both should be illegal and reported.
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