Just stay out of the city parks. They banned metal detecting a few years ago and really have enforced that ban. The west end of town has a lot of very old properties and history, but as you know, it is also the rough part of town with a lot of crime. I hunt in Indiana, but mostly on private properties.
Do some research, maybe look for old house sites, or knock on doors and ask for permission to hunt old properties. Always pick up your garbage even what you dig, fill your holes, and leave the area in better shape than when you arrived. If you trespass or leave a mess, karma will bite you in the ass
Expect to dig a lot of trash and probably not find anything very valuable. Take you time, find good places to hunt and seek the proper permission, and good luck! Hard work can definitely pay off in this hobby.