3 cops and a quarter...

[markinmichigan]

There's a school close by that was originally built in 1911. It sits on 10 acres and I have detected it before and did pretty good finding pockets full of clad, some keeper jewelry, buffs, mercs and more. Over a year ago, I was detecting and the po po rolled in and said that a local complained that I was making a mess of the grounds and asked me to leave after they checked my ID.

Today I figured I'd hit it again as it's been awhile and maybe that NOSEY Karen was taking a vodka nap. There was one truck in the parking lot. A man came out asked me what I was doing in "his" school yard. Me, "Just looking for coins and a little bit of history" He said no problem. NOPE. But Karen was waiting for me. 1 good target into a relaxing hunt and 2 separate squad cars come screaming in. Took the headphones off, shut the Legend off and walked to the police cars. I asked them "Isn't this a public school?, I don't see any signs saying, No detecting, no digging, no trespassing" They shook their heads and agreed with me. Then they asked me to leave.

I respect their position, their duty to the neighborhood and the risks they take everyday. After I left, called one of my police buddies and he told me to stay out of Royal Oak. So my FMDF friends, get permissions no matter where you go.

Mark in Michigan

 

[stetam]

There's a school close by that was originally built in 1911. It sits on 10 acres and I have detected it before and did pretty good finding pockets full of clad, some keeper jewelry, buffs, mercs and more. Over a year ago, I was detecting and the po po rolled in and said that a local complained that I was making a mess of the grounds and asked me to leave after they checked my ID.

Today I figured I'd hit it again as it's been awhile and maybe that NOSEY Karen was taking a vodka nap. There was one truck in the parking lot. A man came out asked me what I was doing in "his" school yard. Me, "Just looking for coins and a little bit of history" He said no problem. NOPE. But Karen was waiting for me. 1 good target into a relaxing hunt and 2 separate squad cars come screaming in. Took the headphones off, shut the Legend off and walked to the police cars. I asked them "Isn't this a public school?, I don't see any signs saying, No detecting, no digging, no trespassing" They shook their heads and agreed with me. Then they asked me to leave.

I respect their position, their duty to the neighborhood and the risks they take everyday. After I left, called one of my police buddies and he told me to stay out of Royal Oak. So my FMDF friends, get permissions no matter where you go.

Mark in Michigan

Well that sucks. Another reason I boycott cities. Hunt the country man.

 

[vmc1161]

Years ago, I would take my son, and a go cart to a "playground" it was not maintained. Anyways the cops show up and tell us to leave. Cop says there is a lady who watches the playground and calls the cops at least twice a week or more. If the cops don't show up she calls city hall and complains. Some people suck.

 

[markinmichigan]

Years ago, I would take my son, and a go cart to a "playground" it was not maintained. Anyways the cops show up and tell us to leave. Cop says there is a lady who watches the playground and calls the cops at least twice a week or more. If the cops don't show up she calls city hall and complains. Some people suck.

Exactly, the cops said it was same lady that has called in the past. Dang Karen's.

Mark in Michigan

 

[pescadore]

Sorry you are having problems. I hunt schools fairly often and so far haven't had any resistance. I see admin of the school come and go and they don't say anything negative. Sounds like Karen has it in for you !!

 

[vmc1161]

Sounds like Karen has it in for you !!

Wow you might be right what did he do to make her so angry? Hope he didn’t break with the metal detecting code of honor.

 

[markinmichigan]

Wow you might be right what did he do to make her so angry? Hope he didn’t break with the metal detecting code of honor.

I did nothing that would require a call to the police. Haters gonna hate.

Mark in Michigan

 

[Rock Jock]

Years ago, I would take my son, and a go cart to a "playground" it was not maintained. Anyways the cops show up and tell us to leave. Cop says there is a lady who watches the playground and calls the cops at least twice a week or more. If the cops don't show up she calls city hall and complains. Some people suck.

Take a kid and a metal detector to the "playground" and teach the munchkin how to use it. They're playing! Kills two birds with one stone and when Karen squawks and the cops surface the wee ones can start bawling because a jerk is interfering with their fun finding treasure at a badly maintained "playground". Sounds straight out of W.C. Field's playbook! I wish I had a silver dime for every badly maintained playground I've seen.

 

[spence]

There's a school close by that was originally built in 1911. It sits on 10 acres and I have detected it before and did pretty good finding pockets full of clad, some keeper jewelry, buffs, mercs and more. Over a year ago, I was detecting and the po po rolled in and said that a local complained that I was making a mess of the grounds and asked me to leave after they checked my ID.

Today I figured I'd hit it again as it's been awhile and maybe that NOSEY Karen was taking a vodka nap. There was one truck in the parking lot. A man came out asked me what I was doing in "his" school yard. Me, "Just looking for coins and a little bit of history" He said no problem. NOPE. But Karen was waiting for me. 1 good target into a relaxing hunt and 2 separate squad cars come screaming in. Took the headphones off, shut the Legend off and walked to the police cars. I asked them "Isn't this a public school?, I don't see any signs saying, No detecting, no digging, no trespassing" They shook their heads and agreed with me. Then they asked me to leave.

I respect their position, their duty to the neighborhood and the risks they take everyday. After I left, called one of my police buddies and he told me to stay out of Royal Oak. So my FMDF friends, get permissions no matter where you go.

Mark in Michigan

Some folks have not much else to do. Sipping coffee, noon vodka and listening to the scanner. Dialing the request a cop line.

 

[markinmichigan]

Well that sucks. Another reason I boycott cities. Hunt the country man.

You're right. I've become a city boy, parks, tot lots and sidewalk strips. Guess the next step will be.....someone please fill in the paragraph

Mark in Michigan

 

[hoser]

Head for the Toolies and hunt the woods and wooded parks. Wear camo and the Karens can't see you. This whole thing brings my blood to the boiling point.

 

[Longhair]

I probably would have tried to flip the script. Ask the cops if you can file a complaint on whomever is calling the cops on you for a legal recreational activity on public land. Maybe find out who it is and hunt the curb strip in front of her house.
I hate people who have nothing better to do than make my business theirs. I guess that's why I live like a hermit.

 

[markinmichigan]

I probably would have tried to flip the script. Ask the cops if you can file a complaint on whomever is calling the cops on you for a legal recreational activity on public land. Maybe find out who it is and hunt the curb strip in front of her house.
I hate people who have nothing better to do than make my business theirs. I guess that's why I live like a hermit.

This is just a hobby, there's so any Karen's out there it's not worth the time to get nasty.

 

[GroundSweeper]

So from where I sit, you've got a few options to explore here.

1) try the safety hi-viz vest and hard hat approach

2) then there's the Tom approach - moon lit night, so peaceful, so serene

3) I don't have a third one at the moment, just keep on keeping on

 

[Diga]

I asked them "Isn't this a public school?, I don't see any signs saying, No detecting, no digging, no trespassing" They shook their heads and agreed with me. Then they asked me to leave.

What do you think would have happened if you said, "I'm not doing anything illegal, so I think I'll stay"?

 

[cellrdwellr]

I've got one of those too. She comes running out everytime I hit the common, taking pictures of my vehicle and plates. This happened twice in a span of a few weeks, so I just stopped going. I even spoke with the town officials, and I was told I had the green light. It always ends with me being told to leave by the police, even though the police know I'm doing absolutely nothing wrong. Sucks, but there's so much dirt on this marble, something will turn up somewhere.

 

[hoser]

The police know full well Mark was within his rights to detect public property. They just didn't want to deal with the idiot calling in the complaint. What they needed to do was investigate what Mark was doing, ascertain he was within his rights, and convey that information to the complainant stating that any more calls on this would be deemed as harassment which is against the law. JMHO And NO, I'm not a lawyer, But I did stay at a Holiday Inn express last night.

 

[markinmichigan]

Yes, gents, the world is loaded with people who thrive on drama , miserable SOB have nothing better to do. I'm moving on

Mark in Michigan

 

[Tom_in_CA]

..... So my FMDF friends, get permissions no matter where you go.

Thanx for sharing your story. Sorry you have a "nosey-parker" at your spot. However, no, I would not come to that ^ ^ conclusion. Because the moment we md'rs start going around PREEMPTIVELY seeking permission (as if it were needed) is the moment you risk the "safe answer", to your pressing question. Ie.: you risk the "No one cared UNTIL you asked" scenario.

There's been persons, who figured they should get permissions preemptively (thinking they'll be able to deflect busy-bodies later on), and did so at places that, quite frankly, HAD NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE before. Ie.: Some desk jockey has mental connotation of geeks with shovels, and whimsically tells you "no".

Thus the solution is not to run around grovelling (AS IF we "need permissions" in the first place). The solution, for individual situations like you had, is as GroundSweeper so beautifully puts it :

....... the Tom approach - moon lit night, so peaceful, so serene ....

Yes. Just go when the said singular lookie-lou isn't present. Presto, problem solved. It is NOT OUR JOB to run around trying to get the world to love us, love our hobby, and roll out red carpets for us.


I do, in fact, have a few nicely manicured turfed parks, that I hit while passing through those cities, that I only do at night. NOT because I think I'm doing anything wrong, but .... because we're in an odd hobby that has "connotations". Thus, like nose picking, just opt for more discreet timing, so as not to offend the squeamish.