SILVER SPRING, Md. — On Saturday, a group of parents gathered at Ellsworth Park in downtown Silver Spring. The guardians feel they — not the state — should decide when their children walk somewhere alone.

“Free range parenting” has brought national attention to the city; a local couple was found guilty of neglect when they allowed their children to walk home alone.

Danielle and Alexander Meitiv are appealing the decision. Matthew Dowd, an attorney for the Metivs, says they’re going through the appeal process at [child protective services] and “we’re confident that we’re gonna vindicate their position as parents.”

“My key role as a parent is to let my children get more and more independent so they can figure out [for] themselves what is safe and what is not,” says Anna White, a Silver Spring resident.

Those who see children walking alone shouldn’t call 911, says Max Simon, co-founder of Empower Kids Maryland. His partner, Stana Kimball, says her eight and 10-year-old children can visit nearby playgrounds on their own. She knows parents and other children will be around.

“If they fall and break their leg, I am [100] percent sure there is going to be someone else who can call for help,” Kimball says.

At the park, many of the parents say their kids know how to react to emergencies. So parents should determine if children can walk home home safely, says Silver Spring resident Richard Fox.

“Is a well meaning citizen gonna call the police if he sees my son walking to school?” Fox says. “And the next thing you know [child protective services] is gonna be knocking on my door?”