Situational Awareness

[Herb Jones]

I have been checking some older parts of some kinda shabby little run down towns here where I live. Sometimes I am out until dark or close to it. walking around with some fancy gadget, headphones on, looking at the ground... it occurs to me that I'd be a potentially easy target for a robber... Is anyone else out there packing when they metal detect? Have any of you ever had any shady situations arise? seems to me anyone metal detecting is at a serious disadvantage, sometimes looking at old abandoned houses takes me into not so good neighborhoods. I am not trying to be political or debate guns, just wondering if security is a concern for anyone?

 

[roadapple]

To answer your question of packing a firearm .......the answer is yes, however only if packing legally, meaning with a valid concealed weapons permit issued for the state occupied. Safety is something we all have a right to only if performed in a lawful and legal manor.

 

[Nauti]

This is an important topic Herb and one people need to think about.I live in England so carrying a gun is obviously not possible,even carrying a knife with a locking blade is illegal.I do hunt the beaches at night and i often pondered the question of safety issues.
What i tend to do is scan the area im detecting at regular intervals.......if i see anybody in the distance i tend to keep searching in a way that i stay the same distance away and and i will detect towards an exit from the beach.That way,if the person or persons that have come onto the beach head in my direction,i have distance and an escape route on my side.I have not had any problems yet but i am very aware that people walking onto a beach at night in the pitch black may be problematic.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

I have never had a problem (so far) and I do detect in some city parks in the more run down parts of local towns. I have been asked what I was doing and once I replied the gentleman who asked me said I am just trying to keep our community safe. I thanked him for his concern.

Where Legal with the proper permits I see absolutely no problem with someone carrying while detecting. Not everyone out there is honest. When I need a reminder all I need to do is pick up my newspaper and look at the number of Murders and Robberies that have been committed lately.

 

[Hoser John]

I always carry my digging knife-sharp as a razor blade and a 3' long screwdriver(harbor freight) to locate finds without bending down-read 3' dagger again sharp as razor. They are tools carried so no cop bs to contend with but tools of the trade. Be safe as the living dead-crankster gangsters-are all over the place now here in calif. Looks more like a sic tv show than the Redding of days gone by with the homeless animals robbing, raping and pillaging to feed their monsters within-CAUTION is always rewarded with longevity-John

 

[doc holiday232]

Walk softly and carry a Big stick.

 

[Herb Jones]

Figure between the shovel and digging tool, I'd be safe... just wondering what security precautions you all had taken

 

[slingshot]

Fortunately my only concerns have been little monsters that almost walk on my coils and chant "whatcha doin, mister? Can I do that? " - over and over and
....

 

[Herb Jones]

That's funny! Unruly children are a hell. My cousins would
Visit and when They left what wasn't Missing was broken...you should probably run
Away when
They approach.

 

[detectin4fun]

I was detecting an empty city park in the early afternoon years ago when I noticed three good sized young men coming from the edge of the park straight toward me from a good distance away. When I straightened up and looked their way they began running toward me spreading out in what appeared to be an attempt to surround me and to block my retreat to my parked vehicle. I was thinking I was in a bad spot and was weighing my options which were not good. I'm a slow old man who could not run fast and the possibly of three men with bad intent had me worried. They suddenly slowed to a walk paused and began talking to each other looking my way. I turned back to where my vehicle was parked and noticed a city police car had pulled into the parking lot. I'm guessing that day I was very lucky the officer drove into the lot at that moment. I believe the policeman pulled in randomly as he did not come to the location for any oblivious purpose. I then went quickly to my vehicle and drove out of the lot and I have not gone back to that park and likely never will. It is not worth the change I was finding in that tot lot to go back and press my luck. I agree be aware of your surroundings and be cautions when your alone. Be safe

 

[daddyflea]

This is Texas plumb naked without my Pistol and my Switch blade. I also carry a Leshe Heavyweight pick so I am covered. I wear Rattlers for Headphones as well. I worry more about getting sued after.

 

[Dancer]

About 20 miles from me in a good sized City lies a pretty large park. Hospital across the street specializes in fresh gun shot wounds.
Somebody has to hunt that park, but it ain't going to be me. Lot of gold being worn there too.

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Several times druggies tried to rob me on a New Jersey beach but my long digging shovel which I showed them could take one of their heads off they backed off.
Being from Pa. can't carry in N.J.....hunting with a buddy sure helps....

 

[doc holiday232]

What a -hit hole the DimoRats have made of parts of our country.

 

[Herb Jones]

Everything is a weapon... the main thing is just being aware of those closest to you and not letting them
Get behind you.... I don't worry much, but I am bird dogging anyone that remotely looks sketchy.

 

[mrsspk]

I was detecting an empty city park in the early afternoon years ago when I noticed three good sized young men coming from the edge of the park straight toward me from a good distance away. When I straightened up and looked their way they began running toward me spreading out in what appeared to be an attempt to surround me and to block my retreat to my parked vehicle. I was thinking I was in a bad spot and was weighing my options which were not good. I'm a slow old man who could not run fast and the possibly of three men with bad intent had me worried. They suddenly slowed to a walk paused and began talking to each other looking my way. I turned back to where my vehicle was parked and noticed a city police car had pulled into the parking lot. I'm guessing that day I was very lucky the officer drove into the lot at that moment. I believe the policeman pulled in randomly as he did not come to the location for any oblivious purpose. I then went quickly to my vehicle and drove out of the lot and I have not gone back to that park and likely never will. It is not worth the change I was finding in that tot lot to go back and press my luck. I agree be aware of your surroundings and be cautions when your alone. Be safe

This is why I always carry

 

[woody]

Detect in some city parks. No problems so far. I do continually watch my surroundings. I carry legally in Georgia and detect mainly in Ga. Been doing both for over 40 years. Vigilance!

 

[davidtn]

I was detecting an empty city park in the early afternoon years ago when I noticed three good sized young men coming from the edge of the park straight toward me from a good distance away. When I straightened up and looked their way they began running toward me spreading out in what appeared to be an attempt to surround me and to block my retreat to my parked vehicle. I was thinking I was in a bad spot and was weighing my options which were not good. I'm a slow old man who could not run fast and the possibly of three men with bad intent had me worried. They suddenly slowed to a walk paused and began talking to each other looking my way. I turned back to where my vehicle was parked and noticed a city police car had pulled into the parking lot. I'm guessing that day I was very lucky the officer drove into the lot at that moment. I believe the policeman pulled in randomly as he did not come to the location for any oblivious purpose. I then went quickly to my vehicle and drove out of the lot and I have not gone back to that park and likely never will. It is not worth the change I was finding in that tot lot to go back and press my luck. I agree be aware of your surroundings and be cautions when your alone. Be safe

This is why I always carry

Ditto