Lakewood Fourth of July Sign Garners National Attention

A sign posted in Lakewood has garnered national attention after The Lakewood Citizen tweeted a photo of it last month, the website reports.

Tosh.0, a television show featuring internet videos, posted The Lakewood Citizen's photo on its blog and poked fun at it: "Welcome to Park Buzzkill ... Just stand in one spot and enjoy your freedoms."

Reddit and Cheezburger.com have also posted the photo. 

Online commenters on the national platforms are mostly critical of the sign.

"The NSA 4th of July BBQ!" said one Tosh.0 reader. A Reddit user questioned the constitutionality of searching bags. Others called the sign ironic, saying that on Independence Day, park goers are "free to do what we tell you."

But Lakewood Mayor Michael P. Summers told Fox8 that the rules are necessary to keep residents safe during the large gathering, and added, "One of our concerns was that if we were going to create these rules to protect our citizens, how are they going to know? So perhaps this is the way." 

What do you think of the rules — do they take away freedom, or are they a necessary evil? Tell us in the comments!