Thanks, police!

To the Editor,

I was quite pleased to read that Swarthmore Mayor Marty Spiegel had asked Police Chief Ray Stufflet to increase the police presence in the downtown area. I am not the only one of my friends who has complained about kids riding bicycles on the sidewalk along Park Avenue. Most or many of those kids are behaving extremely rudely, ignoring requests to stay off the sidewalks or to ride in a way that allows others to walk comfortably on the sidewalk. The way they are riding their bikes is also disruptive to people who are using the parklets, which are a wonderful addition to downtown. We should be proud of our police, who are, to a person, very considerate of Swarthmore residents: They know us, and reflect the values we hold dear. When they enforce the ordinance that prohibits biking on our sidewalks, they are only doing their job. I would hope the parents of those violating that ordinance would recognize how important it is to teach manners and consideration for others.

Peg Christensen
Swarthmore