Run off Cook County Forest Preserve today

[p2c]

Hi all,
On my way home from work I decided to stop at my 'Money Tree' to see how much more I could harvest (got another $5.96 on top of the $15+ that I got a couple weekends ago). About 90 minutes into my hunting a white minivan parked some distance away and a woman got out and watched me (seeming angry in appearance). About a half an hour later a Forest Preserve cop approached me. I gave a friendly hello and she retorted I could not detect in the forest preserves. I said that I didn't know that and then got the swinging is okay but digging is not reply. She added that she could not allow me to detect because if her supervisor saw that she did, she'd get in trouble. I took that as a cue not to debate that my digging was clean or that I pick up trash ( a lousy argument because in all the clad I dug I had only pulled out 1 pull tab, 1 bottle cap, and one piece to connect four). She was cool with no citation or anything but was definitely firm in her position.

As I was getting into the car, I noticed the white minivan women get into her minivan still watching me. As I pulled out, she pulled out behind me. I didn't get a chance to notice what sorts of plates were on the van.

Since I got off with the ignorance game, if I run into this cop again; that wont work. Although, I am still hazy as to the rules. All I know was I strongly sensed don't contend with me from the cop.

Theory 1: The minivan woman was her supervisor and called it in.
Theory 2: the minivan woman called 911.
Theory 3: just a coincidence -- though I don't think so since she watched me the entire time I was there and left when I did.

How big a range do Forest Preserve cops have or do they rotate regions? This was in an area I don't normally hit as its a good 25 minutes from me and I have closer. (This was Rubio woods picnic grove in Midlothian -- across the street from the famous bachelor's grove cemetery).

 

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[Lowbatts]

That is too bad to hear about. The CCFP's are divisional in nature, and responses may vary dependent on where you are. Odds are the LEO would never have taken the initiative to confront you without a complaint. You might have asked her what her function with the CCFP was and how/if we'd be able to reconcile this inconsistency on "digging" versus small item recovery.

The digging rule goes way back to people digging pits for everything from latrines to who knows what else, that's why it's seems so vague. Anyone watching us would see our "digs" are not excavations as usually understood. They are in fact far less than any animal does in the preserves. And a "dig" is a dig no matter whether human or animal does it. Difference is the animals do not refill their holes.

If we could get the FP to define "digging" in a way that excludes the very temporary plugs we use to recover goodies it would help greatly.

 

[watercolor]

I guess an example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. . . and most
likely an isolated incident. . . bummer.

I wouldn't be surprised if the woman in the mini-van (maybe waiting for a friend )
made the call and the officer HAD to do what she did. . . otherwise your outcome
might have been different.

During the past 30 or 40 FP hunts. . . which resulted in over 100 pounds of trash
removed from the woods (excluding cast iron stove parts & horse shoes) I've never had
a problem. I've encountered FP officers numerous times and on one occasion, was
asked if I'd seen a person of "questionable" character wandering the woods. When I told
him he was 5 minutes up the trail, the officer thanked me and said "have a good hunt".

Almost all the officers I've met appreciate our presence in the woods because it tends to keep
the "less desirable" folk from loitering.

 

[twistidd]

p2c,

Interesting that you had a problem there, seeing as how many group hunts have taken place there, from what I've been told (I also know a lot of oldies have been found there). However, I do have one theory regarding the strict nature of the CCFP cops in that area, and it has a lot to do with the overall nature of the business of many folks who frequent that area. When I was in high school, and even until fairly recently, we'd make frequent trips to "haunted" BG cemetery, not to detect, but to hang out and experience nothing. Since a lot of people go there and cause a lot of trouble (vandalism, etc), there are always cops in the vicinity. As a matter of fact, if you park your car in the grove across the entrance to the cemetery on 143rd and it's there past sundown, your car WILL get towed. I got lucky once! A lot of the nearby homeowners also complain because people (kids mostly) park their cars on the streets so that they can get to spend the night at BG. The kids bring a lot of unwanted characteristics with them, such as noise, alcohol, drugs, and trash.

Basically, people in general are a little more cautious in that area than other areas. I think the cops there have good intentions, it's just too bad we have to give up on some good areas because of the actions of a few bad apples. If it makes you feel any better, I got kicked out of a local FP grove a few weeks ago for digging plugs looking for coins. Turns out Mikewaz passed that same area the next day and saw two officers exiting the woods with guns drawn. Something had to have been going on for the cops to react that way, maybe a crime had been committed recently, and by moving any "suspicious" activity away, they believe they can therefore control the area more and make it better.

Good luck.

Joe

Here's my car parked in that lot there at night, photo taken upon exiting the cemetery. I've been told by many that seeing my car there at the hour, in the dark, was the luckiest event that happened to me that night.

 

[p2c]

Thanks all for the wise words concerning ccfpd and also the wise words concerning DP Bob, Nick. I will avoid that FP and Tinley Creek district for the time being, but I have plenty of others down here.

Joe, I always appreciate your posts. Thanks for the BG context. Glad your car wasn't toed back in 06.

-Jon

 

[DPBOB]

Almost all the officers I've met appreciate our presence in the woods because it tends to keep
the "less desirable" folk from loitering.

You mean DP BOB ...

~ Nick ~

Wow!!!!!

 

[DPBOB]

Never had a problem with them either..
Every time I have been approached by them it's always.. "Find anything good? "
Few minutes later there off doing their thing......

You know know not go around that area.

Sorry to hear that.....

 

[aunttrbl]

HUMMMPH!!! Glad I read this this early a.m. The girls were going to go there today again and try to find some goodies. Guess we will try another place. Any suggestions in area close to there? Leaving here shortly. Thanks.

 

[makton]

P2C,
I have hunted there many times and never had any problems. More than likely it was the van lady stirriing up the trouble. Plus, Rubios parking lot does have a lot of activity with all the bikers and joggers parking there so you are more apt to run into a concerned citizen who might make a call. If it's hunting the woods you want, park in the lot on Ridgeland just South of 143 and cross the street into the woods. There are some old cellar holes back there plus the Midlothian Turnpike use to go right through there years ago.
I am looking to get out this weekend if you want to swing together.

Makton

 

[twistidd]

Almost all the officers I've met appreciate our presence in the woods because it tends to keep
the "less desirable" folk from loitering.

You mean DP BOB ...

~ Nick ~

Wow!!!!!

Bob ~ I WAS KIDDING ...

Stop drinking that Des Plaines River water ... It's making you delirious ...

OK, I've got an excuse now. Note to self: Stop drinking Des Plaines River water.

 

[watercolor]

Almost all the officers I've met appreciate our presence in the woods because it tends to keep
the "less desirable" folk from loitering.

You mean DP BOB ...

~ Nick ~

Wow!!!!!

Stop drinking that Des Plaines River water ... It's making you delirious ...

I had that once when I was in Mexico :P

 

[DPBOB]

Almost all the officers I've met appreciate our presence in the woods because it tends to keep
the "less desirable" folk from loitering.

You mean DP BOB ...

~ Nick ~

Wow!!!!!

Bob ~ I WAS KIDDING ...

Stop drinking that Des Plaines River water ... It's making you delirious ...

I know you were....had to get you going with the

I see what the MISSISSIPPI RIVER water does IT makes you RIGHTEOUS