A sign of the times even though it's sad

[Normsel]

My grandson was visiting me from St Louis and wanted to go metal detecting with me. He asked if I knew of any tot lots and I told him I knew if one that was always good for a cpl of bucks in clad. We hunted on the fringes of the park because little kids and parents were using the slides etc in the play ground area. We found a few coins and in about an hour the play ground area didn't have anyone in it so we moved over there.

We really didn't pay any attention to anyone in the park and more often than not people approach and ask if we ever find anything. I had guy approached me and I thought he was going to ask if I ever find anything. Instead he asked what an old man was doing in the park. I told him we were metal detecting. He then said you have no business detecting in a park besides what do you find maybe a quarter. I said it's a hobby and I have found rings in parks and actually returned one to the owner. I also said it's a public park and we are not breaking any laws. He said you're creeping the kids out. I said what do you mean. We haven't spoke to a child or even looked in the direction of a child. He said my daughter and her friend come home and said a creepy old man was in the park. He said it's just my perspective that you're here for more than metal detecting. I said well we do this all the time and he replies it's my perspective.

Just before he approached me I seen him by the fence talking to two young girls about 10 - 12 years of age and I actually thought that was weird that a guy would be talking to young girls but I minded my own business and kept metal detecting.

He then says to me as he was walking away you two shouldn't be here. I kept my cool all along and never raised my voice nor did I try and defend myself other than saying I was in a public park and I was doing nothing illegal.

When it all sunk in after I got home I was bothered about it. I have never been questioned by anyone why I was metal detecting anywhere. Over the years people always approach me and ask if I find anything and want to watch so I usually throw a coin on the ground and let the see and hear the detector. Most love it.

More often than not I have little kids following me in parks to see what I find. In most cases their parents are near by and the parents are saying don't bother the man.

Now I ask myself is this a sign of the times or just some parent with freaked out kids.

 

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[Tom_in_CA]

Normsel, it's things like that , that are the reason where 90% of my park hunting (esp. nicer turf) is done at night in the dark now. So peaceful. So serene. No busy-bodies.

 

[civil_war22]

Don’t let it get to you man. I’ve seen many old timers in the parks and when I was a patrolman I would drive by and see them in parks and vacant lots and wherever else they could find some goods. If their minding their own business then I mind mine. I always looked at it that if that’s your hobby and you can and are still able to get out and enjoy it then go right ahead

 

[PullTabSlayer]

I wouldn't sweat it. He sent the kids out of the house so they wouldn't be a bother to him, they came home and interrupted his Jerry Springer, Oprah watching time so he took it out on you.

 

[choppadude]

These time are different than the old days. This is the reason that I always have my GoPro camera on me, if I am in public and am approached by kids I always record my interaction. That way if something like this occurs I have a record. It is really a shame since I used to enjoy it when kids would come up and ask me if I found something or watch me dig a coin. Now all I see is the need to protect myself against accusations that may arise.
A few years ago a cop pulled up to a small neighborhood park I was detecting, there were probably 3-4 kids playing about 50 yard away, he said he got a call from a parent who was concerned that I was in the park around their children. I told the officer what I was doing and that I had no interaction with the kids. I followed up by telling him if the parents were so concerned about their children then maybe they should shut off the computer or TV and come out and actually WATCH their children. HE agreed with me and told me to have a nice day and that was that.

 

[TommyB]

Sounds like that guy used to watch tooo many of the old Laugh-in shows.
"would you like a wallnetto" ? My advise is to do what you do and not worry about it

 

[Peyton Manning]

I think you were a lot nicer than I might have been
it's still a free country

 

[fuzzy535]

so the guy never questioned the fact you were out doing stuff with your grandson? wow..to me he sounds like the aggressor in this case. your off minding your own business and because his girls said it was a creepy old man he assumed it was you...not cool. kudos to you for keeping your cool. though you should have ask him why his kids wern't inside playing video games or on their phones...i wouldnt stop going you have just as much right to that park as anyone. hell if your there as a constant presence maybe thats preventing some really creepy guy from being there.

 

[sawmill man]

Well look at it this way , he could not even been a parent ,maby some scum that did not want you seeing him there.

 

[Yak1366]

Interesting post. It's a shame you had to endure that.

 

[BigWaveDave]

Before too long, FOX News is gonna be all over this....

 

[WaterScoop]

I would have told him that I appreciate his concern however it does not apply to me. If you feel that I am doing something against the law please feel free to call the authorities. The good thing for both of us is that we live in United States and you are entitled to our opinions without the fear of persecution as so am I.

You should be more concerned about “ your optics” as you fraternize with those young ladies then this old man metal detecting with his grandson.

I wish you well Good day to you sir as my grandson and I will continue use to spend time together and metal detect.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Don't let it bother you sir. The world is full of nutty people.

I do my best to let things like that slide. Consider the source, is what I say. If anyone says something to me like that, I ask them if I can see their badge, they NEVER have a badge, so I tell them if you got a problem with me, I suggest that you call the police. It works well for me. I do not like confrontation, but I will not back up until I see a badge AND a gun.

Good luck, and try not to let it get to you.

 

[digger460]

He was probably a child molestor, and he was pissed that you were on his territory. If it happens again, maybe you should show him the serrated side of your shovel.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Maybe he is a pedophile and thought you were messing up HIS game. Never let an idiot mess up your karma.

 

[against the wind]

Yep, I agree,, that dude is suffering from a case of Felonious Stupidity.

 

[CoinFetcher]

Maybe he is a pedophile and thought you were messing up HIS game. Never let an idiot mess up your karma.

My guess he is projecting his own thoughts and lifestyle into this confrontation.

Don’t worry. The people are are happy you are their don’t always come and say hi. Only the losers who are some how against detecting

 

[GB1]

as long as your minding your own business he needs to mind his own plus your not the creepy one he is

 

[Loco-Digger]

He must be related to my wife, by God when she has an opinion, YOU are going to hear it!!!! Those types are everywhere, I am happy to have ever ran into one, while detecting, and he is a local cop who I think suffers from Napoleon Syndrome. All the other police have never done more than ask if I am finding anything and wish me good luck.

 

[faribo]

I deal with hundreds of child molesters every day. The kids are much safer if I am there than if I am not. It is entirely possible that the clown really does want you gone because you are cramping his style.