Kids looking out over Belmont Harbor

I grow increasingly disturbed by the number of children I see running around by themselves in this city. This really has bothered me since I moved here.  Now, there have only been 1 or 2 times I felt uneasy about my own safety (remember, I do play volleyball in the land formerly known as Cabrini-Green), but every time I see children riding alone on the bus or walking down the street listening to their iPods, I really want to ask their parents why on earth they allow that!  I have seen plenty of strange characters on those buses.  If my child were wandering around this city alone, I would find it hard to get anything done, except maybe watch in the mirror as my hair all turns gray.  The kids in this photo were walking along the bike path next to Lake Michigan one afternoon, totally oblivious to my picture taking.  I've heard many people talk about how the folks in this city all watch out for each other, but I'm not sure I'll ever be able to trust the City with my kids' safety.