Street not appropriate place for kids to play

Regarding The Gazette July 28 editorial, it would appear that The Gazette does not understand the purpose of a city street. Using a public thoroughfare as a basketball court/playground should be against the law. There is also a city ordinance against children playing in the street.

For three years, we've had to tolerate our street as a playground for tossing a football back and forth and traffic being slowed or stopped. Located very close to our residence is Cleveland School playground and Apache Park, both excellent play areas and not overly used.

Using streets as playground soon turns neighborhoods into “hoods.” Children of all ages need to learn that appropriate places to play do not include streets. These concepts will not be realized if we make exceptions to the rule: safety, impeding traffic, common courtesy, common sense.

There should be a heavy hand for law enforcement. Some individuals when given an inch will take a mile.

James J. Heffernen

Cedar Rapids