A concerned mother took to the Chittenango Community Facebook page to warn local parents after a disturbing incident at K Park left her 9-year-old daughter feeling uncomfortable enough to leave the playground.
Jacquelynn Smith posted the warning, saying a group of children at the park were using inappropriate language, including repeated swearing and the N-word.
She urged parents to speak with their kids about respecting others and practicing good park etiquette, especially around younger children.
The post quickly gained attention from community members who shared their thoughts on what happened and who may be responsible.
“The Problem Started With Their Parents”
Many residents were not surprised by the incident and pointed the finger at the home environment. Christina Magen commented,
“Unfortunately, the problem started with their parents who do nothing but spew racist, ignorant and vile statements.”
Her words resonated with many in the thread who agreed that children often reflect what they hear and see at home.
Richard Sheley echoed the same sentiment, writing,
“Too many parents are too lazy to teach their children anything for that matter.”
Others called for more adult supervision at the park, noting that the absence of parents may be exactly why the children felt comfortable behaving that way.
Lynda Kolodziej also weighed in, asking whether any parents were even present at the time and suggesting the children might benefit from counseling.
Dale Ogborn went further, calling for police to get involved and return the children to their parents.
“They Know Better” Says Commenter as Debate Grows
As the thread grew, so did the debate over how to handle the situation. Lisa White took a firm stance, saying someone needed to hold the kids accountable. When Vivien Westcott pushed back on the tone of that comment, Suzann Hensley stepped in to add,
“Perhaps a bit harsh, but lack of adult intervention is why this group thinks their behavior is okay.”
Lisa White stood her ground, responding,
“Harsh? No. It is called being held accountable. I do not care if they are kids. They know better.”
An interesting twist came when it was revealed that the children doing the swearing were also young kids themselves.
Dylan Thompson, who said he was present at the park with his friend Becket Ireland, confirmed that the two children they heard using the N-word and other profanity were little kids, not teenagers.
This added another layer to the conversation about where such language is being learned at such a young age.
Becket Ireland had initially commented in a dismissive tone, which drew criticism from several community members including Wilma McAlister and Joe Stout, who felt the response was disrespectful given the seriousness of the situation.
Jacquelynn Smith, the original poster, blocked one commenter she identified as a fake profile.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation in Chittenango about parenting, community responsibility, and what kind of environment families want K Park to be for their children.
Smith’s original post ended with a simple but direct request: talk to your kids, remind them to be respectful, and be mindful that younger children are listening and watching everything around them.
