Run in with a cop while detecting.

[Rainyday101]

So I check the city ordinance online in this certain city and it says detecting is allowed on the beaches but not on the grass. I grab my new T-Rex sand scoop and the Tiger Shark and head to the beach. I had a cold so I did not plan on going in the water, was just hitting the beach. After about an hour a cop walks up and ask me what I was looking for and if I found anything. I told him I was just detecting for coins and jewelry and had only found scrap metal, screws, nails, etc. He then asked what kind of detector that was and if it was any good. I told him all about the detector and he told me about his Whites detector. He also told me I was perfectly legal and that him and his dad detect a lot. We talked about digging technique and using a drop cloth to leave no trace behind in the grass. He told me I could go ahead in detect in the grass, but just keep it clean and pick up the trash. He said they have serious issues to deal with and don't have time harass honest ethical detectorist. He also gave me his phone number so we can go detecting together sometime and compare detectors. He also told me to get into water with that thing because he has never seen anyone detecting in the water at this particular beach. We chatted for about half and hour about detectors and places to go detecting before he had to go. And I thought I was just gonna get harassed!

 

[GunnarMN]

cool.

 

[bigtim1973]

Yeah I had a very similiar run in like that as well. Good run in with cops are nice!!! Tim

 

[Elton]

Just try to remember that even when they have to do their job .Many are still nice people !!

 

[reddirtfisher]

I had a similar experience at a state park. A maintenance woman riding a lawnmower saw me and gave me a go-to-@#%& look. I knew right then that I was going to get reported so I just went on detecting and waited. Sure enough about 10 minutes later a ranger stopped me and told me it was illegal to hunt state parks here. He was very pleasant and even said, "I'm sorry about this,..just doing my job" He also said that he was in the hobby and owned a metal detector of his own. We all suffer when these idiots out there dig huge holes and don't cover them up. I carry a stack of metal detector ethics brochures with me and I will walk right up to anyone I see detecting and hand them one. We all have to be responsible now because this hobby could become illegal some day.

 

[rarysgaard]

I have had all good experinces with cops & park patrol except one. She watched my hunting buddy and his wife detecting and digging for about 15 minutes then came over to me and stated it was illegal to dig in the park. I informed her it was perfectly legal and many of her fellow officers have observed me and said it was ok. She countered that that doesn't mean they're right and sited me an ordinance called molesting the foliage. This ordinance is not in reference to metal detecting, but to the cutting down of trees, tearing wild flowers etc. She failed to acknowledge that she much more damage to the grass driving her police car over the grass. Like I said most police are friendly and courteous and are good will ambassadors and others are carried away with their position of authority.

 

[kozyman]

Great to hear.

 

[dixiedigger57]

as a retired cop i know. there are jerks on both sides and cool reasonable heads and then there are clueless people. discretion on all sides is the biggest tool. i work for the defense now-- not a hired gun-- just appointed lawyers and i work for the state, for indigent defense. i research and interview and investigate for cases which may go to trial. i build better cops by making them do their job right or face it in court. then try to be civil in that aspect too.

some out of town boys with crap for brains and no regard for anything caused us some choice places. i dont tolerate idiots. i stay in good repoire with the local friends of the park committee who are rebuilding my fav hunting place. i plug holes, remove trash and glass fragments which abound. i also ran a guy off with a dang shovel-- yep- must have watched the stupid tv shows. there is a law here called interference with govt property which relates to destroying it. he was- i dont. discretion-- a long forgotten word.

 

[MetalMiner]

That's always been my experience when approached by the police. They just want to BS about MDing, they've never hassled me about MDing.