pond != school.

Ponds are notoriously unsafe and even treacherous for small kids.

In any case this is law enforcers overreaching and creating unneeded and useless trauma in the family just because they can. Should never went so far.

Yup, this is the part that bothers me.

5 year old kid who has been properly trained walking alone--I have no problem with that. My mother was blind, I was taught safe street crossing from an early age. I do not recall when I was crossing residential streets unsupervised, I do recall I was crossing major streets (at traffic lights) alone at 7. I'd take the bus to go visit grandma--no escort on either end.

But 5 year old unsupervised at a pond is another matter. Unless they have plenty of swimming experience that disturbs me.