Metal Detecting At Schools?????

[mylady8882]

when we took our son to soccer practice, we threw the detectors in the car and figured we would detect around the school yard while we waited for him to get done. It wasn't 10 minutes later and the school custodian came over and asked what we thought we were doing. My husband told him we were looking for coins and he said not in this yard your not. He said we couldn't do it without permission from the principal. I told him I thought we were allowed since it is public property, It was 5:30 pm and school had let out 3 hours ago, and we were not harming anything. I told him we would leave, but I still dont think we had to. anyone know if there is any rules about metal detecting at schools?

 

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[Moonshadow]

I'm sure of one thing......they all have their own rules. Guess it depends on who sees you doing it. I've never personally have had anyone approach me at a school, but I also typically hunt on Sat. or Sun. I suppose they totally have the right to ask you not to detect on their property. No since in making waves. There are plenty of other parks and schools to hunt. I was asked not to metal detect 2000 acres once. All wooded!! Go figure

Happy Hunting,
Moon

 

[Monty]

I have detected at nearly every school in my immediate area and only had one person accoust me. He was some flunky summer help guy that moved desks around when school was out. He asked if I knew I was on school property. I told him of course I did, after all, I paid for it. He didn't know what to say and just mumbled to himself and left. As long as school is not in session I 'm pretty sure there is nothing to keep you from detecting on school property...no law that is. But you have to use common sense. I wouldn't go digging in manicured areas such as the middle of the grass in a football field, or the flower beds, or possibly some area that had been freshly seeded. If I had been denied permission, just because , I would complain to the school board. I would write a letter and follow it up with a phone call. I would word the letter so that a written response was required. If I got no satisfaction that way, I would write another letter and make a pone call requesting to be put on the agenda at the next board meeting. Then I would appear along with any other detectorists in the area who might be willing to appear and present my case. It depends on how strongly you feel about it how far you would want to go, but there is finally legal recourse in the courts. I was never one to be satisfied with a "Just because" and probably would carry it further than most. Monty

 

[wmas1960]

I would have probably done as you did. Especially in the case of a Public School yard. I tend to just go ahead with some reason and common sense and if I were to be confronted, then I would try to reslolve any issues. It is public property and you should be OK to search it if you are not doing anything destructive.

I have searched a few and as a general habit, I don't search around lawns etc. If I do, I only look for stuff lost on the surface or in the turf. I don't do any digging. Mostly, I search after hours and I search around the play equipment or in sand boxes. Looking around Jungle Gyms and swings etc. I never go around when kids are present and if kids come up to play on the equipment or swings, I stay out of their way. I figure the playgrounds are intended for them and not me and my detecting. As they move on, I will, if still around, go back and search.

I have never been confronted but if I were, I would respectfully leave. I figure there would have to be a misunderstanding between the custodian, a person who is entrusted to protecting and maintaining the property, and my intentions. Perhaps a call to the school or a letter describing your confrontation to the principal would be appropriate. I would keep it constructive and respectful on the basis that there may be a misunderstanding and seek some sort of official permission. If you are fortunate enough to get a letter back, concenting to your interests, keep that with you when detecting. Just in case you are confronted by someone else. Explain your intent and interest in not harming the area. I have heard, in the past, of some who have gone as far as showing the kinds of things they have found on the playgrounds, to the principal or other authority. Sometimes people find things that could be dangerous to children playing and if done with the right intent and all, detecting can actually be a good service to the school as we often remove broken glass rusty pieces of metal, nails... beer cans and bottles and Some have found bullets, drug needles and knives on such playgrounds.

Don't cause any confrontations or anything. Just leave and contact someone of authority or go back another day. It could just be one custodian or janator that, being unsure of you , your activity and intent, has asked you to leave. The CYA (Cover Your A**) attitude.

 

[mylady8882]

I wasn't trying to make waves, and I was not mean to him. I was just wondering what our rights are as far as what public property means to metal detectorists?

 

[wmas1960]

Not speaking on any legal authority or anything but I would think we have the expectation of a right to detect on public property as long as we are not being destructive and leave the area in as good if not better condition when we leave. That is why, unless it is specifically posted, I just go ahead and search at will. I feel that I use good respect and common sense with my detecting and all and I try not to leave any reason for anyone to question my activities. I don't go during school hours or when children are using the park etc. I don't search in manicured areas, gardens etc. Personally, I only search areas where there is an expectation of digging anyways. The chips or sand in a play lot or a schoolyard sand box etc. Those are areas where, when I am done, I can refill my holes, tamp them down with my foot an a few hours later when the dampness from the fresh dug hole dries out or the wind has drifted the area over, you don't even know that I was ever there.

However, there can be official rules, laws or ordinances that might prohibit or restrict that right or access. To know for sure, you would need to contact your city or village parks district, the school district, maybe police department or other authority. Usually, unless clearly posted, if you fall into one of those situations, you will be told to leave. That is why your response was a proper one. You say you didn't challenge the authority of the custodian or create a confrontations. Now, if it were me, I would inquire with the school district offices or the principal of that school as to whether there is, in fact, a law, ordinance or something. This may be an issue that has never officially come up before and someone was making rules on the fly. They may just need the assurance that you are not some hack that is going to leave gopher holes all over their soccer field or leave holes in the tot lot for some kindergarterner to trip in and break an ankle. There could be outright bans in some areas, Especially around special facilities or areas like athletic fields, stadiums, village offices and facilities.... For example, detecting the front lawn of village hall or the police or fire department might raise a few unsympathetic eyebrows. If a law doesn't exist, you can be sure that one soon will. Some schools might have similar restrictions. Note also that some public parks can be specifically posted also.

One last point, as I think about it, I wouldn't jump too high on the list of authorities. Start with the specific school and check with the principal or other authority. The higher you go, the more likelyhood that you will cause some curiocity that may lead to an over reaction on a higher, more wide spread level. If you go to the police, you might just be told to check with the school district or school anyway. Start with the school and see if it may be an issue of their own policy. Avoid rocking too many boats, I guess.

 

[Southcacalaky]

I have never had any problems so far. I usually use the weekend or after school hours. Yes it is public propety and most of us pay school taxes but I don't metal detect infront of city hall or the police station. those are pulic property as well. A letter or a visit to the principle would not hurt. I have keep a bag of trash from the school grounds with glass, nails or anything that could harm a student just to show individuals just the type of things we find at our schools. Hope all works out for you, HH Art...

 

[goldencoin]

I've MD'ed a school for about 4 consecutive years and never ever got yelled at, even when i did it in frount of the janitors and park patrons. Even so, i pick an old home site then a school park anyday!

-GC

 

[The Seeker]

The problem with schools are ,there a great place to detect but like most places you should ask someone if you can detect the grounds....there might be areas that they don't want any digging and might let you in another area.....I have asked at some of our local schools and was told to come back on sunday....When they are closed ,also if construction is being done at a school ask the contractors ....they will usually let you....! Asking permission is your best bet !!! Seeker

 

[Sandman]

Schools are public property and most states have different rules about who can be on school property and when. However sometimes you run into a person that thinks they have more authority than they do and just want to exercise some power. Maybe they are on a power trip or really think they are doing the right thing. Perhaps it's just a slob that detects there themselves too.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

An idea about permission or approval, show the custodian or the principal all the trash you are picking up. I have found knives, bullets and other dangerous objects at schools and I don't detect them much. HH, Mike

 

[Gypsy Heart]

I detect every school I find...and have never had a problem. There are usually curious people who come and talk to me ,but I never have been told to leave. I liked Monty's answer...since we are paying for it. But I also agree with never digging in the lawns or flowerbeds....I do carry a large digging knife, which, when I am on public property, I dont flash around but carry close to me as not to attract unwanted attention. And if any kids come around,I exchange it for the screwdriver.

 

[bigrig40]

I have only had 1 problem in 2 years so I hit em and see what happens.peace,bigrig

 

[grizzly bare]

Schools are not public property. They are owned by the School Board in a public trust. Totally different thing. Since schools are owned by an entity (which is treated the same as an individual under our laws) that entity can set up any REASONABLE use rules they wish. For example, noone would get upset if you were having a picnic, but try having the same picnic on the football field on a Friday night in the Fall. We all know that this is not truly public property: try wandering around there at recessTo protect yourself, get permission from the School Board before you detect.

grizzly bare

 

[Michigan Badger]

anyone know if there is any rules about metal detecting at schools?

No one has the right to damage public property. Public means it's open to the public, and usually paid for by the public, but it doesn't really belong to the individual members of the public. The public may own it as a whole, but never as individuals.

Destruction of public property by the public is in violation of the law most anywhere.

Now, we coin hunters know we're not destroying public property. However, some school employees don't see it our way. To them we're all in the same class with kids that like to do swirls on the grass with their cars and trucks.

In a situation where the grounds boy is hostile, your only recourse is to go over his head. Just locate someone over the custodian and get their permission.

I just finished hunting a school yard myself. I had no problems this time. If confronted I'd leave and if I thought the area worth it I'd seek permission.

 

[trk5capt]

MYLADY, All The Schools Around Here Are Surrounded By Security Fences, Back in The Day I found Some Nice Things Around Old Schools. trek5capt...

 

[Born2Dtect]

Yes schools are public property but all public property is managed by someone. In your case it appears to be the principal. The good news is a little email campaign will net great results. I emailed 10 schools in my area Maryland and got 10 yes answers. One did say they had to check with the school board for possible regulations but came back with yes. Modern schools are not great for finding older 50+ year items but are great for a quick hunt a couple of times a year.

Ed Donovan

 

[Justadad1999]

If your school district has their own police then check with the Chief of Police for that district and any other districts you may want to look into. That's how I did it and of course get it in writing.

Larry>Katy Texas

 

[diggemall]

I've found that there are quite a few variations in ordinances that apply to MD-ing in public places. What has worked best for me is to contact the municipalities clerk first, to find out if there are any ordinances pertaining to MD-ing. Next, assuming the ordinances give a go-ahead, I contact the head groundskeeper for the district - let them know that you're real respectful of the grounds, that you dig SMALL plugs and that they will have a hard time even seeing where you dug (use a square of plastic or a handkerchief so all the dirt goes back in the hole), and that you will remove any and all trash that you dig, and that you won;t detect during school hours.

The same approach works with county lands. Keep it clean and above board - that way nobody gives MDers a bad name.

 

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