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L.I. Gymnastics Coach 'Highly Offended' By Public Safety Officer's 'Pedophile' Comments

LIDO BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A gymnastics coach claims he was insulted by a public safety officer and kicked out of a public park that he was training at last week.

Ryan Mallon, 25, and a fellow coach were practicing in and around a playground at Lido Beach Park last week when they were confronted by two public safety officers with the Town of Hempstead.

Mallon caught the encounter on video with a GoPro camera that was attached to his helmet.

L.I. Gymnastics Coaches Outraged After Being Kicked Off Public Playground

In the video, the officers are seen trying to explain that Mallon and his friend are too old to be on the playground.

"To use the playground grounds you have to be that age or accompany a child of that age," one of the officers said.

The same officer later says, "Bottom line is I don't like pedophiles and you guys hanging around a bunch of little kids makes you look like pedophiles."

Mallon told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera that he was "highly offended" by the comments.

"I'm a professional athlete as well as a coach," said Mallon said. "I work with kids and that could've had a backlash for me professionally."

In a statement, the town said the men were asked to leave because playground equipment is not for adults and the officer has been counseled for his public interaction.

"Safety and common sense dictate that playground equipment is not designed for adults. There are signs specifying the age ranges for which the play equipment is appropriate at each facility. Park personnel asked the men to get off the apparatus and when they refused, public safety was called," the statement read. "At that time public safety officers told the men to leave or they could be cited for disorderly conduct. While the employee in question has been counseled on his public interaction, the town's first priority remains the safety of the children using the playground."

Mallon and his friend practice and teach the Parkour method, which involves jumping, vaulting and somersaulting, many times in public parks and playgrounds.

Mallon would not comment on whether he planned any legal action, but said the officers "should be held accountable" since "statements they say could have potential negative impacts on both profession and livelihood."

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