This advisory, regarding supervision of minors, arrived today via e-mail. Now, if only folks would take the message seriously; the next advisory should cover pet owner regs. I've seen five loose dogs in the past three days. :/

Families are reminded they must follow the Fort Riley regulation in regards to leaving children unattended. Fort Riley Regulation 190-19 requires the following supervision of minors:

- Children under the age of 10 years old may not be left unsupervised in Fort Riley housing without direct supervision.

- An adult or certified babysitter over the age of 12 must supervise any children under the age of 10 in the home at all times.

- Children between the ages of 10 and 11 can be left alone in the home for a maximum of two hours.

- Children between the ages of 12 and 15 can be left alone for a maximum of four hours.

- Children under the age of 10 years will not be left alone in a motor vehicle.

- Children must have an adult or designated childcare provider with them all times while outside.

- Children are not permitted to play in streets or traffic ways.

If you witness unattended children, call Military Police at 785-239-6767. 

They had this in the community news letter at the neighborhood office last week.

I agree with MOST of it but think some of it is rediculous!
- Children must have an adult or designated childcare provider with them all times while outside.
my kids are 7 and 8 years old. They, unlike most kids in the area, know the rules and I feel they are old enough to be able to play in the front yard or back WITHOUT me sitting outside watching their every move! Here it is weeks into the summer and my kids have maybe gone outside 3 times bc I don't like being in the heat and refuse to sit on the porch watching them draw on the driveway with chalk or play football with the boys behind us! 

There were young kids riding their bikes-in the middle of the street-at something past nine; right around when it was settling into dark. A Chevy sedan had to swerve as to not hit them. Their parents were nowhere in sight; probably didn't live on the same road. 

IDK all I know is I think the whole anyone under 10 can't be outside without direct supervision is excessive. 

It's in the post paper as well, all the time. I have to laugh at the last one, because it's common sense. Obviously it's happening or else it wouldn't be stated. Visit most neighborhood parks on post and you'll see unsupervised children at any time of the day. Some as young as 3 or 4 with older siblings. Some of those siblings are 5 or 6. Just crazy. 

There are kids playing in the street ALL THE TIME in Forsyth. Sometimes the parents are watching, sometimes they are not. And the kids are usually no older than 5. I see the MPs there frequently. Common sense, I mean really. My kids are 7 and 8 and I think they are okay to play without me having to sit there with them at all times. I mean, who would ever get anything done sitting outside all the time?? But, they know the rules also and know what can and can't be done. Some parents should never be allowed to procreate. 

Mine are 1 and 3 and common sense is for me to be outside with them always. There are plenty of kids who are in the same age group, still in diapers, who are unsupervised. Where are those parents and what is more important than your child's well being? My oldest sneaks out every now and then, but I usually figure it out within a few minutes and I, would feel terrible if something happened. 

Of course it's common sense...I think it is harsh to say ANYONE under 10 has to have direct supervision...anyone under 7 maybe or 6 should be expected to have direct supervison but like I said before I shouldn't have to sit outside on the front porch with my 7 and 8 year old when they want to draw with their chalk or play with their friends! I also have a 2 year old and I would NEVER let him outside alone...even when he plays in the fenced in yard I keep the door open so I can hear him 

Doll while your 7 and 8 year old might be able to handle being outside without you there are TONS of children that age here on post who can't and do indeed still need that supervision. So then it comes down to the fact that they can't say oh well you can let your kids outside without you but the other families can't. At the end of the day while it might seem harsh it's a rule made to help keep children safer which is not a bad thing. 

I agree with all the rules regarding parent supervision. The neighborhood playground is right behind my house and there are children 2-ish and up roaming around the playground at all hours. I had one little girl painting on the side of my house in mud, another sneaking into my fenced backyard "looking" at my garden, other children sticking their hands and arms through the fence of my neighbors yard petting the dogs. While you may feel your children are responsible, that doensn't mean all are. The rules are in place to keep all children safe and make parents take responisiblity of watching their children (not saying that your not responsible). Just because we live on post doesn't mean children are safer. My children are 6 and almost 2, I take them outside everyday in our backyard. While they play, I garden or sit and read a book, or we go out front they play while I crochet. I agree it's hot, try going out early or later in the afternoon when its cooler :). 

I do not have a fenced in yard to keep my kids contained, so I spend a lot of time chasing mine and paying attention to them. I am lucky if I can get a chance to check my email when they are outside. I had a social worker and another person knock on my door a few months back in regards to a 4 year old several houses down. They were asking a lot of questions similar to these rules....had I ever seen a parent outside with him, does he have older kids watching him, etc. I am sure someone had turned it in, but it is sad nothing ever came about it. I saw him last night a few blocks from his house on his bike all alone in his pajamas and it was dusk. Seriously? If you are going to invest the time and resources to look into neglect or whatever at least do something about it! I feel so sorry for the child. He has played with my kids several times for hours and no parent has ever come looking for him. These rules are for those types of parents! 

Just had a little boy still in diapers come knocking on my door. He ran across the street before i could get him. I think he had been knocking on every door hoping to get his parents yelling mommy! The people directly across from us let him in right after he came knocking. He could have easily been hit! I'm not one to be nosey about other people's kids and their parenting but i cannot stand the thought that something could have happened to him. I have a feeling this will not be the last time something like this happens. We see the kids across the street outside jumping on their parents cars and practically out in the street all the time. I think its time to start calling the MP's. 

@mill1987 I would if it continues to happen. Because if something does happen to the kids, the mp's or cps might question you wondering why you or someone else didn't notify them. Also its the right thing to do when a childs welfare is in question. 

At the end of the day while it might seem harsh it's a rule made to help keep children safer which is not a bad thing.

Are you kidding me? Did I say it was wrong all together, no. Do I think the age is a little harsh, yes...do I think if the MPS actually patrolled instead of just driving by then maybe there wouldn't be so issues, yes! I understand rules, I agree with having them but I think anyone under 10 is a little harsh. Of course I'm not saying a baby or a 2 year old should be outside alone, I don't even think a 5 year old should be outside alone but I remember the days when I was a kid, growing up on a military base, and leaving the house in the morning and not coming home till after dinner! I was RAISED with rules and knowing right from wrong just like my kids are. If there were more consiquences for parents doing wrong then there wouldn't be kids running the streets in diapers.
When we first moved on post I let my kids to to the park alone. The only reason that happened was because I could see it from my back door and livingroom windows. 10 minutes later an MP escorted them home, took mine and my husband's info and said if they were there alone again we would be in trouble. I honestly didn't know it was illegal for kids to be at the parks on post so I didn't think we were doing anything wrong. Since that day I have NEVER let my kids go to the park unless I was there, period. That is an example of parents following the rules and teaching their kids to do the same 

I take them outside everyday in our backyard. While they play, I garden or sit and read a book, or we go out front they play while I crochet. I agree it's hot, try going out early or later in the afternoon when its cooler

I have 5 kids, 5 kids that aren't close in age that all want to do different things. I refuse to spend my entire day sitting outside so the littele ones can play in the morning, then the bigger ones can be in the front on their bikes in the afternoon. That is wonderful that you have hobbies outside, I don't. I have no desire to be out in the heat, if I wanted that I would live in a tent! I'm not saying the rules are wrong, I'm saying a little harsh and if they delt with the parents then the kids wouldn't be this way. 

I dont let my kids play in the front, I think its retarded. We all have backyards, fenced or not, thats where you play. When my young ones are in the back I make sure the screen door is open so I can hear them, and I do things in the kitchen or living room so I can keep an eye on them. 

DLD..I am the opposite of you. I hate being inside! I love being outside with the fresh air and whatever the weather. I am content just watching or playing with them. My kids never get a chance to tear up my house, lol. 

I am not fond of burning in the sun but for my kids to be safe I go out and deal so they can play. I am not on post but I wish they would enforce better around me. I have a neighbor who lets her kids loose and they break stuff in my yard because she doesn't parent or want to be bothered enough to watch them or even inquire to see if they are doing things they shouldn't be doing since they are out and obviously not educated on how to behave by themselves. Those are the parents who are lazy and need something to give them a wake up call. 

I think y'all have legitimate concerns and should take them to the post commander. I can understand how everyone has a problem with a regulation that requires you to watch your own kids, to prevent them from being hurt or kidnapped.....the nerve of some command. 

I don't mind taking the kids out, knowing they'll have fun and tire themselves out. It's also for me to get some fresh air, I hate being cooped up in the house. But I do agree the rules were made for the lazy parents too concered with themselves to care about their childrens whereabouts. 

lmao @ a1796458uu 

I dont let my kids play in the front, I think its retarded. We all have backyards, fenced or not, thats where you play. When my young ones are in the back I make sure the screen door is open so I can hear them, and I do things in the kitchen or living room so I can keep an eye on them. 

I do this. Or if its not too deathly hot out walk to the park and watch them play there under the shade thing. The rules dont bother me, I'm glad they have them. 

This rule goes down in the "Well duh" category for me.

And my kids play in the front yard because we have nothing but weeds and dirt in the back. Mud+sprinklers is a no go in this house. 

EXACTLY...its a duh situation! YOUR KIDS YOUR RESPONSABILITY...to watch them, teach them right from wrong, teach them how to follow the rules and so forth. There are tons of issues around forsyth with these teenagers doing stupid stuff at the parks and vandalizing neighborhoods, pretty soon is it going to be said that anyone under the age of 18 needs direct supervision?
IT's all common sense. Do I think one thing is excessive, yes but like I also said I have no problems following the rules. Since I saw this in the neighborhood news letter a few weeks ago my kids go outside when it works with EVERYONE's schedule, if it doesn't they don't go outside, period. I'm not an idiot, I don't need to go crying to command or make a news story out of it it just seems a little excessive. If the parents cant be responsible community members then they should be moved off of post. It is a privilege to live in housing not a right and if you can't control your family then you shouldn't be on post, simple as that 

And my kids play in the front yard because we have nothing but weeds and dirt in the back.

AGREED AGAIN!

We pay $30.00 for a fence, $200.00 for a trampoline, and more money for all the toys out there and come june EVERY year we can't utalize our backyard because it is infested with wasps and the ground is COMPLETELY covered with stickers. Every summer they spray, say it won't come back and it does. The only time my 2 year old is out front is if we are there and he is being pushed by the bigger kids in his stroller or he is playing in his powerwheels in the driveway or on the sidewalk next to our house. The bigger kids were allowed to go outfront to play with their frinds on the porch with their toys bc we don't allow them to take their toys out of the house except on the porch. 

I need some of that Forsyth grass. 

LMAO grass?!?! I'm waiting for them to tell me we have to pay to re-sawd it! I asked how much it cost to do that so we could actually use our yard and she said $750.00! WTF? I don't think we should have to pay for that if they've sprayed for the last 3 summers and it won't go away...it's not like I sprinkled sticker seeds all over the grass lol 

I'm with you DollLikeDeceptions. Some kids are more mature than others. Some parents raise their children with manners, respect and responsibility, while others don't. I allow my 7 year old at the park by herself, because I can see the park from our house. She checks in regularly. I'm the type that likes to be outside though, so sometimes I'll take our dogs and walk around the park a few times. I'll sit outside and read and pull weeds. Whatever. Just to be outside. I understand the rules, but 10 is a little old in my opinion. They had to pick a number somewhere though. 

When are these rules going to be enforced? I live in Forsyth and I've never once made it in or out of the neighborhood without seeing unaccompanied toddlers.
And I'm curious why under 10 is extreme to be left alone outside when they can't even be left alone INSIDE? I'm comfortable leaving my newborn and 3 year old inside alone for 60 seconds while I grab the mail or put the trash at the curb, but I would never leave them on the porch to run inside and grab something. The whole leaving a 2nd grader outside for hours by themselves confuses me. I'm betting you'd be mad if their teachers did that. 

When are these rules going to be enforced?

And that, is the magic question.

Until any of those policies are enforced on a wide, sweeping scale, everyone can expect more of the same. Yes, some of it is common sense and the competent parents are being punished for the actions of the incompetent parents, but these policies are nothing without enforcement. You can drive around nearly any housing area on post at almost any time of the day and see unattended children, so what is there to do unless someone in a position of authority starts cracking down on it? Until then, it's just more 'cover your butt' rhetoric the post puts out to prevent any liability in case something tragic happens.