Got Chased out of a Park today

[MrGee]

Went to a neighboring town to work the tot lot. There were two older ladies with their three grandchildren, all pre school. Since they were at the other end of the tot lot I decided it was okay until one of the ladies told me that she felt "threatened" by my digger. So I said, okay. If it's a problem I'll go somewhere else and promptly left. No big sacrifice though cause sometime in the last couple of weeks the city had put down a fresh layer of wood chips and I wasn't finding a thing anyhow. You would think that the number of people and the number of butts would come out oven but it just aint so!

MrGee

 

[coin hunter]

There was a post similar to this just the other day. I don't know why metal detecting make some people so nervous. I even been in a tot lot and had a ten year old girl (about) ask me if I had permission. In my opinion its a girl thing.Thats why I stay clear of people when hunting.

 

[Jerry-Wi]

It may have something to do with gender. My wife has no problem at all in the same situations. Probably feel less threatened. I try to stay as far away from the kids as I can for more than one reason.

Jerry

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Got to get there early before the tots...Rule of thumb try to detect with kids on swings etc. in area going to have problems with parents...In our area all modern with plastic floors(no wood chips) so tot lot hunting is a thing of past....Its not the world its the people and I am not the pied piper so any kids follow me onto the fields are asked to go back to their parents...not a nasty individual myself but boys or girls this old man(former cop) doesn't want anyone to accuse me of improper behavior to the kids in any manner..Kids can be mean especially if you don't give them what you find and so can the parents running to the groundskeeper saying you are digging up their nice park kind of thing...

 

[INCH]

Got Chased out by two older women with grandchilds Sh_t , I cant help but laugh. Threat by your digger It's a wierd world for sure.

 

[Salida]

Just a suggestion but when children and parents show up its
just a matter of courtesy to vacate; the tot lots are for the children.
You can always go back. Its the same way when detecting on a ball diamond or soccer field; when you see
people showing up to use the field, just pack up and go somewhere else. It's just a matter diplomacy.
When I first learned to drive a car the manual always insisted that one never demand the right of way. The same holds true here as well. Just my opinion.
Salida

 

[slingshot]

Just a suggestion but when children and parents show up its
just a matter of courtesy to vacate; the tot lots are for the children.
You can always go back. Its the same way when detecting on a ball diamond or soccer field; when you see
people showing up to use the field, just pack up and go somewhere else. It's just a matter diplomacy.
When I first learned to drive a car the manual always insisted that one never demand the right of way. The same holds true here as well. Just my opinion.
Salida

Not only that-it's easy to find a gold ring and have them say they lost it and what're you gonna do? And I've posted this time and time again-I use a SMALL SCREWDRIVER with the handle cradled in my palm and the shaft running up my forearm. It can't be seen and I can even put it and my hand in my pocket. It has a 6" shaft. I know people say they can retrieve faster with a digger or knife or whatever-even make a nicer looking hole-but in public-or I should say-to the spastics and busybodies in the public-discretion is the better part.......

 

[mudpuppy]

Yep...what Slingshot said...in a chip totolot a fellow needs nothing more than a short screwdriver just to maybe bust up the chips on deeper signals...but really a guy can sweep one just using the side of the foot. Heck, you dont even need to wear your finds pouch, or knee pads, Hit 'em early and fast, leave when others show up, dress nice, and be prepared to talk to the Man if he arrives...have a story ready, your new to this and are getting some pratice and excersize, etc...you can dress up and carry your heavy digging artillary when you are waaaay out where nobody cares...i try to look like either the invisible man, or just a harmless old duffer who doesn't know anything, has no money on him, etc.
Mud

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Yes, it seems like a good idea to just yield to park users and come back later . Especially the old ladies with grandchildren because they truly have nothing better to do than ruin your fun...they get a charge out of it...trust me.

 

[1ringedingy]

I is funny how people can be afraid of a digging tool, but in truth, we are the people that need to be afraid of all the psycos out there. This is especially true when it starts gettin dark in the lerger parks where you truly need something to swing besides a detector in case of an emergency....

Ray

 

[garthbfan]

I think it's funny that she felt threatened by you and your digger but wasn't too scared to come over and confront you!! If I fell threatened by someone I would go the other direction. And I for sure would not go up and confront them!! The term "Here's your sign" comes to mind. hehe

 

[MrGee]

Hard to believe that ANYONE would be threatened by me...I'm 67 years old, I'm about 5'7" and weigh just under 140. Most of my life I've wished that I appeared MORE threatening! Cripes, that woman outweighed me by 30 pounds and was 2 or 3 inches taller than me. I'm the one that should have been nervous!

MrGee

 

[MNCoinhunter]

She was'nt threatened by you. She just could'nt resist the urge to throw a monkey wrench in your day ....

 

[fongu]

Next time that happens, just smile and say "Bless Your Heart". She's just being a momma hen and looking after her chicks. It's a genetic thing and there's nothing you can do about it. She can't help herself.

 

[Kydigger4949]

I tell few kids i was fbi agent looking for bullets in a murder case please stay clear lol

 

[GoGoGopher]

BAD idea to impersonate a cop...Can get ya in trouble...As stated above, YOU are a SECONDARY user of any tot lot, Park, Public Area...It IS NOT your God given right to use these areas...Tot lots were made for kids to play in...ball fields were made for games, soccer fields were meant for soccer...If folks show up to use an area for it's intended purpose, it is your responsibility to vacate...There are plenty of other areas, and you just might avoid a nasty confrontation...
BTW...I DO carry a 2 way radio and it sounds like a police radio when it breaks squelch...That is as far as I go in pretending to be a cop...It does keep some away when they hear it...maybe they think I am a city worker.

HH,

 

[Fishers Ghost]

If somebody is giving me a difficult time while detecting, I find that if I suggest that I might rip their lungs out through their bottom that they tend to give me a wide berth and in particular, little old ladies become somewhat wide eyed and speechless!!??.........Nah, just kidding.....Realy I am.

 

[Salida]

Just a suggestion but when children and parents show up its
just a matter of courtesy to vacate. Absolutely correct!

 

[Fabio]

Funny. Every time I'm out on the beach, I feel like I'm swaying a fly catching glue-strip. Kids are all over me asking what I'm doing and looking for. Once I said iron, and a kid pointed towards a pole stuck in some concrete, "There's some!"

 

[Fishers Ghost]

I tend to agree that when the kids come onto the play grounds that it is time to quit detecting.
If their parents are with them then I will ask if they mind if I continue detecting, most say it is fine but if the kids are unacompanied then I leave; It is after all their play area not mine.