Good parenting is one of the things no longer allowed, thanks to the government’s heavy-handed coronavirus response.
A man in Colorado was arrested by local police–after he was “caught” playing tee-ball with his wife and their 6-year-old daughter in the park.
Matt Mooney, 33, was handcuffed by three police officers at Donelson Park in Brighton, Colorado. Police told him that he had violated the state’s “social distancing” orders.
Mooney refused to show identification to officers, asserting that he was doing nothing wrong–because, contrary to the cops’ claims, the park was not closed. A nearby sign clearly said: “In groups of no more than 4 persons, parks remain open for walking, hiking, biking, running and similar activities.”
However, the cops refused to listen to reason–and put Mooney in handcuffs.
Mooney explained how distressing the event was for his daughter:
“She’s like, ‘Daddy, I don’t want you to get arrested.’ At this point, I’m thinking, ‘There’s no way they’re going to arrest me, this is insane.’ I’m telling her, ‘Don’t worry, Daddy’s not going to get arrested. I’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t worry about it,’ and then they arrest me,” he said, in an interview with local media.
But he also explained his rage at how the officers, not his family, were the ones violating the order.
“During the contact, none of the officers had masks on, none of them had gloves on, and they’re in my face handcuffing me, they’re touching me,” he said.
The police admitted that they were very clearly in the wrong, saying that the officers were “incorrect” in claiming the park was closed. They also issued an apology to Mooney and his family.