LETTER: A child walking alone isn’t cause for panic

I disagree with Sherry Hobbs’ Sept. 23 letter, “Danger walk.”

She is “seeing” facts not present in the actual editorial. She does not know whether that half-mile walk in Virginia by the 5-year-old was along a busy street or on a rural lane. Nor does she know of the maturity of the children involved.

I remember myself at 5-years-old walking all around my hometown. I knew and followed the rules of walking along in traffic and across railroad tracks. I was never approached by a stranger and, if I was, I knew not to talk to them.

I believe it’s a personal choice whether to allow children to walk alone. Only a parent understands the level and maturity of a child. Governments should not be involved in these choices.