I guess it was my turn to be approached by a cop

[Paul from SFbayarea]

I was on my 8th dig or so at an old park when I notice a cop car roll up and park. He got out and headed my way. I kept doing what I was doing until he made it over to me. He asked "so, what are ya doin?" I replied "Hey there! Oh, I'm just digging a target I found with my metal detector. Am I not supposed to be here? Did someone report me??" he says "no, nothing like that. I was just driving by and noticed you digging a hole in the middle of the park so I wanted to see what was going on". I had a plug already dug out with the dirt on a towel, so since I had visuals ready for him to see, I basically explained the process of how it all works since he seemed unfamiliar with detecting in general. I told him there is a right and a wrong way to do this, and I, along with 99.9% of other detectorists always follow proper ettiquette, with the main point being that we leave no trace. I mentioned that I'd already recovered several items about 20-30 feet away. He looked around and agreed that it looked like I knew what I was doing and that I wasn't going to be leaving a mess or a bunch of gopher holes behind. I was polite, and he listened to everything I had to say. At that moment, I felt like I was in a position where I could sort of be an ambassador to this hobby, so since this was his first experience with a detectorist, I did whatever I could to paint all detectorists in the best light possible so we seem like a positive force, and not negative annoyance. I also let him know that when I find or dig up garbage, I take it out with me or toss it in the trash. At one point near the beginning of the conversation, he did ask for my ID and I told him it was in the car about 50 yards away. I said I could go get it. He said, "no, I won't make you walk all the way over there. Just give me your name". I understand he's just doing his job so see if I had any warrants or if I was on parole so I have no problem with that. After talking to him for awhile, he seemed to show more interest and it got to the point of him asking how much they cost, how deep can they detect, and what all can be found with a detector. It ended with him telling me that he thought he's seen me at other parks before, and that he knows who I am now, that I'm just doing my thing and not causing any harm or trouble, and to continue on with the hunt and enjoy the day, and that he won't be bothering me anymore if he sees me again. I hope he relays the message at some point to the other officers about this little talk we had, and lets them know that detectorists are not a bad thing. First impressions are long lasting. So now if he sees other detectorists in the future, I'm sure he'll think nothing of it. Who knows, if I'd shown him attitude or tried to school him on why I have a right to be here, he might relay that negative message to his fellow officers, and possibly go as far as working to create new rules for no detecting at the local parks in this city since he might assume we're all jerks and possibly up to no good. I'm actually really glad I was approached and could inform him on this great hobby....and that it turned out very well considering some of the other not so good "approached by cops" stories I've read on here.

Here's the plug I had already dug when he walked up.

 

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[BryanM362]

Well done Paul! Very diplomatic!

 

[CoilyGirl]

Well done Paul! Very diplomatic!

Ageeong with Bryan,well done .Hopefully your approach will help people's outlook on the hobby.

 

[dustytrails123]

So out of the blue a cop rolls up asking for id and checking warrants.....sounds like the gestapo at work

 

[TreasurePirate69]

Nice job Paul! We need more people like you in this hobby.

 

[SusanMN]

Nice job.

 

[BryanM362]

By the way, what's that in the hole?

 

[rickv14623]

Dang nice job with the officer. Hobby can use more like you and more cops willing to listen. Hope you had a good dig

 

[killerclown]

Sounds like you had a cool cop. I did some checking and it is proper practice for an officer to check on people when they see them. For warrants and what not. I saw my "friend"at the gas station this afternoon...and apologized for the other day and the way I acted....seems we may be cool.

 

[WVPapaw]

I was on my 8th dig or so at an old park when I notice a cop car roll up and park. He got out and headed my way. I kept doing what I was doing until he made it over to me. He asked "so, what are ya doin?" I replied "Hey there! Oh, I'm just digging a target I found with my metal detector. Am I not supposed to be here? Did someone report me??" he says "no, nothing like that. I was just driving by and noticed you digging a hole in the middle of the park so I wanted to see what was going on". I had a plug already dug out with the dirt on a towel, so since I had visuals ready for him to see, I basically explained the process of how it all works since he seemed unfamiliar with detecting in general. I told him there is a right and a wrong way to do this, and I, along with 99.9% of other detectorists always follow proper ettiquette, with the main point being that we leave no trace. I mentioned that I'd already recovered several items about 20-30 feet away. He looked around and agreed that it looked like I knew what I was doing and that I wasn't going to be leaving a mess or a bunch of gopher holes behind. I was polite, and he listened to everything I had to say. At that moment, I felt like I was in a position where I could sort of be an ambassador to this hobby, so since this was his first experience with a detectorist, I did whatever I could to paint all detectorists in the best light possible so we seem like a positive force, and not negative annoyance. I also let him know that when I find or dig up garbage, I take it out with me or toss it in the trash. At one point near the beginning of the conversation, he did ask for my ID and I told him it was in the car about 50 yards away. I said I could go get it. He said, "no, I won't make you walk all the way over there. Just give me your name". I understand he's just doing his job so see if I had any warrants or if I was on parole so I have no problem with that. After talking to him for awhile, he seemed to show more interest and it got to the point of him asking how much they cost, how deep can they detect, and what all can be found with a detector. It ended with him telling me that he thought he's seen me at other parks before, and that he knows who I am now, that I'm just doing my thing and not causing any harm or trouble, and to continue on with the hunt and enjoy the day, and that he won't be bothering me anymore if he sees me again. I hope he relays the message at some point to the other officers about this little talk we had, and lets them know that detectorists are not a bad thing. First impressions are long lasting. So now if he sees other detectorists in the future, I'm sure he'll think nothing of it. Who knows, if I'd shown him attitude or tried to school him on why I have a right to be here, he might relay that negative message to his fellow officers, and possibly go as far as working to create new rules for no detecting at the local parks in this city since he might assume we're all jerks and possibly up to no good. I'm actually really glad I was approached and could inform him on this great hobby....and that it turned out very well considering some of the other not so good "approached by cops" stories I've read on here.

Here's the plug I had already dug when he walked up.
<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=776322"/>

Thanks for sharing this experience. You did a great job representing the metal detecting hobby by doing everything the right way and taking care to use a ground cloth and carefully restoring holes so the grass looks undisturbed. You were definitely a goodwill ambassador for our hobby.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

reply

good story, with a good ending. Thanx. I'm about 1.5 hrs. south of you (in Salinas area). I hunt up in the bay area from time to time (esp. SF area parks, old-town demolition sites, etc...). Seems that encounters with cops or gardeners (or any other type city/official person) go about 50/50 with results. Sure, some are like yours, where they're only checking, or just genuinely interested. And once they see your doing no harm, they move on. However, some others don't go that way. Someone will say "you can't do that" or "that's not allowed" (ironically, in the same park, by the same entity, as a previous encounter went totally opposite and accepted, haha). So it is rather arbitrary sometimes. Up to someone's mood, or their personal impression of what's involved, what context they have in mind, etc... For example, if that same cop had stopped there "because he had a complaint" (some lookie-lou across the street who saw you from her living room window or whatever), he might have said "you can't do that". The reason: because they are duty-bound to satisfy a complaint, and respond to a call, etc... Not always would that result in a "scram", but they do seem to go less in our favor, as opposed to that SAME cop if he had just been passing by.

Anyhow, good story, with a good ending.

 

[Old Dude]

I agree you are a great rep for this hobby. Thank you for acting so well in the behalf of us all.

 

[cudamark]

Good job! You're lucky you got a cop that will listen and understand. Too many are in a hurry or on a power trip and won't. We're still waiting to tell us what you found! ??

 

[l2hunt]

good contact, thanks for putting a positive face on for all of us!

 

[RJGMC]

THANKS FOR BEING AN AMBASSADOR!

It seems like a pleasant encounter, the good guys win one once in a while. Wouldn't be surprised if he stops to visit again.

RJGMC
HI BOB!

 

[matrix master DBA]

Looks like something round and shiny in the hole.... wtg man..

 

[jfeeney]

Great job man. Cops can be cool if you give them a chance.. They can be asses too. I prefer them to be just like Fonzie and just be cool.

 

[panchoveeya]

I don't understand why they seem to want your name and Id when your not doing anything wrong in the first place? If he wouldn't have asked you the outcome stays the same. I think they just might wanna start taxing on any gold or silver finds. LOL. Or start categorizing the md'rs for some reason? Idk it just seems fishy why they always harrass and investigate md'rs.

 

[jfeeney]

My experiences with police have been more about what and why am I digging holes. The metal detecting isn't the issue - it is the digging. As far as asking for name and ID. That's just standard procedure. If you're wanted you're less likely to be cooperative and truthful.

Another thing I do, especially when in public areas, is bring a plastic grocery bag with some trash with me to show anyone asking questions what I do with the trash I find. I bring some in with me just in case I haven't dug any trash before being approached. They have to be a real hard ass to ***** and moan when you show them the can slaw, pop tops, bottle caps and other crap you're removing from a park.

 

[Paul from SFbayarea]

Thanks everyone! Just trying to do my part to put a positive spin on our hobby. Some people tend to think it's a little strange and possibly destructive to parks and other public places and I'm gonna do my best to change that. I realize every encounter won't be a nice one, but I'm going to try my best to keep a smile on my face and act friendly regardless.

As for what I found in that hole? Ya know, I'm not really sure what it is? It's a brass ring of some sort that could be used as a bracelet for someone with smaller hands than me, but it looks like it might have been meant for something else since it's not "pretty looking" and just a ring. No designs or lettering, and it doesn't look like it would be comfortable to wear (no smooth edges). It's about 2 1/2 inches across, and the width is one inch. I found it about a foot down. I was gonna post a closeup of it soon along with the other finds from that park.