Not to sound like a codger, but I would walk a mile and a half to and from kindergarten

[NCTraveler]

61. Most of the parents I am friends with do let their children roam free in the neighborhood.

When I was growing up I was not confined to the neighborhood. My parents sent me out to play. I almost always did stay in the neighborhood. Of the parents I know, their concern is traffic, not abductors. Our road system in Pinellas County is very similar to the way it was in the eighties, even with the increase in population. It has left us with streets that are overused and angry drivers. Most parents no longer want their children around these roads. A crossing guard at an intersection I often crossed as a child was run over and killed a couple of months ago. The street itself is the same as it was in the 80's but one would never recognize that as the traffic has doubled. It is a nightmare. It was no problem crossing when I was growing up. Now most parents wouldn't even think about letting their kid go near the road, even with the crossing guard in place.

Note that this is a general assumption about the area I live. Some sections are cared for better than others. But the main concern of parents I know is the traffic.