Saturdays Interaction w/ Police

[jfeeney]

Saturday's Interaction w/ Police

I ventured out on Saturday to do a little MDing at a local park. I was cool and overcast with an occasional spitting of rain. The park was empty which was nice. I saw a patrol car pull in the lot, drive past me... turn around... stop at my truck... stop and then walk over to where I was. I had checked the city's website for rules against MDing and didn't see anything but I was still a bit nervous.

I had amassed a bag full of junk.. cans, parts of cans, pop tops, pull tabs, nails, screws, and even foil wrappers. The officer comes over and I take off my headphones, smile and wave hello. I said "Hey Officer" and he asks what I'm doing? "So far today it's been cleaning up all this trash" as I hold up my collection. He asked if I had dug all that up? "Yep except for the stuff I found on the surface. But I'm careful about filling the holes and replacing the divots when I dig." He smiled and said I can see that and thanks for pitching in to help.

The rain started a little heavier so I dropped off my trash and called it a day.

 

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[sonofadigger]

 

[sheep]

I thought while reading this it would be a bad ending but I was wrong. Nice surprise with an officer stopping and not hassling you. Wish they were all that way to us mding.

 

[goldentruth]

Ya Got that Right Dog! (Buddy). it's all in the hunt! Goldentruth

 

[jfeeney]

I was pleased how it turned out. I was expecting to be kicked out even though I found nothing against MDing in the park. I am half tempted to keep a bag of trashy finds so I have something to show if it happens again!

 

[XLTer]

jfeeney , excellent manners and detecting etiquette sir . A tip of the hat to you .

 

[Tom_in_CA]

There's a lot of parks I've hunted, where we've had cops (or rangers, etc...) come up and see what we're doing. Like perhaps because we're hunting after dark, and they come to see what a person is doing in the park at night, etc.... And like your experience, most of the time, it's just curiosity. Oddly though, sometimes this happens in a place where, conversely, if you had asked enough desk-bound people, with the right combinations of buzz-words, perhaps you'd have gotten a "no", if you'd asked. But reality is, so long as you're not being a nuisance, no one would care.

 

[TNGUNS]

Glad it turned out that way. I have a lot of compassion for Law Enforcement but unfortunately many of the officers forget that their job is to uphold the constitution and enforce laws .....not create or alter them as they see fit. A good officer treats the public in exactly the same way he would want his family treated. Just like many things we do in life a few bad ones ruin the how the public view them all. Remember to cover them holes and pick up the trash and we all will be seen in a better light. Thanks for the good example you set.

 

[seekandfind]

Nice reply, you fended him off with kindness instead of being offended that he was asking about your activities. Hopefully because of that officer you live in a safer place ,good job. Happy hunting

 

[Red James Cash]

You got lucky and had a run in with the rare breed of cop.Not many of them around anymore.Theyre being phased out.

 

[TerryC]

I beg to differ with you, Red. As a career cop I know most will not hassle a detectorist. When I was a newbie, I hunted the Natl. Park, Jamestown, VA. I didn't know! As I came back to the parking lot, with detector in hand, the ranger asked if I found anything. I pulled out bottle caps, pieces of glass, food wrappers, .... and a great big gold earring! All he said was "Get outta here." The trash IS important! All should be so picked up. Better for all of us. TTC

 

[Tee1up]

Well done JF!

... He smiled and said I can see that and thanks for pitching in to help.
The rain started a little heavier so I dropped off my trash and called it a day.

Really good story and thanks for sharing.
I had this terrible feeling you were going to get harassed or ticketed so I am thrilled you got a pat on the back. I am following your lead and doing the same thing at my favorite dig sites.

 

[Gold Maven]

That has happened several times to me over the years, it pays to pick up trash.

 

[stefen]

 

[Sandman]

When you have a lot of trash that you found in your pouch it goes a long way to ease tensions when you are detecting a place where maybe MD's aren't allowed. Doesn't hurt to carry a garbage bag with trash in it that you picked up too.

 

[New Orleans Relic]

Good for you. Great ending.
Here in the Big Easy you'd need to sport a wheelbarrow or mobile trash compactor. LOL
Ray

 

[Red James Cash]

I beg to differ with you, Red.

I have to beg to differ with you also Terry.I didnt mean just having to do with metal detecting.I've had my run ins more than once with the low IQ rogue cops.The most recent i wasnt doing anything other than sitting in a parking lot waiting for my mother to get out of church.And this happy a$$hole came up and tried accusing me of breaking and entering.He changed his tune real quick when he found out my brother was a deputy chief of police.I dont forget and payback is due.

 

[TerryC]

Yes, Red. I know the type you allude to. I have worked with some. They are usually newbies, HIDING behind that big badge. The first time they get their clock cleaned, they drop the act. Sorry part is that the bad actors carry the rep of the entire group. ALL bad decisions against cops are from a cop going out of his way to get his T*T in a ringer. TTC

 

[freddy williams]

Glade the officer wasn't badge heavey and throw his weight around I have come across cool ones and badge heavey ones. HH

 

[Red James Cash]

Terry