Dangerous Detecting

[Dr.Jones]

I have finally found a decent place to hunt. After using multiple maps i have found a few sites, 2 of which were old schools in the late 1890's early 1900's. both spots are vacant at this time. problem it is slightly ghetto now. kinda thinking about walking around with a 1000 detector maybe should bring some protection? Anyone have any ideas of what to do? maybe go early?

 

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[EpsilonMinus]

Wear a bright orange vest and a yellow hardhat so it looks like you work for the city. Also, set up some police tape around your 'work area'. Ok, maybe that's not so practical after all. Seriously, though, maybe try a preliminary 'test hunt' with your cheaper backup detector if you have one, and maybe in the middle of the day, to see what kind of eyeballing you get. Another idea is, maybe get 2-3 other detectorists to go with you. You'll risk losing some good scores yourself, but you'll raise your odds of making it out of there with whatever you find. I bet the reason you are second-guessing, though, is going to be the reason the area is full of good finds. Don't forget to show your finds!

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Honestly?
To be safe you should seek a new spot unless you want confrontation.
A Crack Head is always looking for opportunity as well as the street punks.

My advice is simply seek a new spot or take a couple buddies with.
Even with friends you'll still be looking over your shoulder, which is really no fun at all is it? Not for a dirty penny.

 

[deepskyal]

If the areas are visible from a public area, where others can see you, then you might not need to worry. I've gone into areas that I felt wayyy out of place and I discovered most people are just as curious and normal as anyone else.
Now if it's secluded and you find relics of the hypodermic kind....I probably wouldn't stick around.

Al

 

[gleaner1]

School yards are notoriously cleaned out, but who knows, no site is truly cleaned-out. I'd go in the morning. But you must first ask yourself, "Am I willing to risk life or limb or really expensive crap for a few dirty wheaties?".

 

[Chug And Red]

I say go for it Take a few buddies an a few others !!!! Smith and wesson Colt 45 !!!! Chug
If i lived near you i would provide back up!!!!!

 

[LM]

I can't speak with any authority about such places in New Jersey, but I can definitely say there are places in Chicago where if a white guy with a metal detector was seen prowling around, he would, at minimum, experience wiseass comments, shouting from passing cars, etc... and that's the most benign possible scenario. Worst case, use your imagination.

Perhaps ghettos are different in the Northeast, but here in Chicago, I would definitely not do anything like this for some random spot; making that decision took me about as much time as it takes a major league batter to decide to swing at an incoming fastball.

If you had a hot lead that there was actually something buried there it might be worth the risk, otherwise, no. Not here, anyway. There are places in this city where they shoot and throw bottles at police as a routine matter of course, attack EMS, firemen, city workers, etc, etc, etc... About the only ones who get a pass are the trashmen.

A white guy with a metal detector in a Chicago ghetto would be viewed as someone to rob, or with tremendous suspicion that he was operating in some official capacity for 'the man' and up to no good... and dealt with thusly.

 

[Dr.Jones]

The main reason i want to go is because the school was knocked down about 20 years ago, but was built in the late 1890's. its on the corner of a main area. I have never seen anyone detecting it, ever. I live about 15 min away out of the shithole area, but i guess it could be picked clean. Ill bring my buddies sig and sauer. their always up for fun. Just sux, i think it may be a good spot for some old coins but ill weigh the risks. damn ghettos

 

[Lowbatts]

I can't speak with any authority about such places in New Jersey, but I can definitely say there are places in Chicago where if a white guy with a metal detector was seen prowling around, he would, at minimum, experience wiseass comments, shouting from passing cars, etc... and that's the most benign possible scenario. Worst case, use your imagination.

Perhaps ghettos are different in the Northeast, but here in Chicago, I would definitely not do anything like this for some random spot; making that decision took me about as much time as it takes a major league batter to decide to swing at an incoming fastball.

If you had a hot lead that there was actually something buried there it might be worth the risk, otherwise, no. Not here, anyway. There are places in this city where they shoot and throw bottles at police as a routine matter of course, attack EMS, firemen, city workers, etc, etc, etc... About the only ones who get a pass are the trashmen.

A white guy with a metal detector in a Chicago ghetto would be viewed as someone to rob, or with tremendous suspicion that he was operating in some official capacity for 'the man' and up to no good... and dealt with thusly.

Hey P Player, I've hunted Douglas, Washington and Union Parks there, no problem except at Union, but me and my buddy were definitely in better shape than the guys who started working the circle around us and once they got close enough to weigh the matter, they left.

I'm sure there may be some spots outside of the better known parks that would rock your coil, but they may be in some truly nasty locations. I always get in early and out early.

So to Dr. Jones, "slightly ghetto" is really not so bad. Downright bullet ridden on the other hand, well, you'll know it when you get there. But hey, there is great gun control in New Jersey, like Chicago, isn't there? So why worry?

 

[Dr.Jones]

yah, thats what im going with. Im just gonna go early and do it. maybe from 6-8. a couple days in a row. Ill just make sure i have back up. Its too tempting of a sight to give up. Hopefully, it wont be a problem. Ill post pics of any finds, if there are any.

thanks everyone

 

[DigginThePast]

Personally, I don't think that potential for a few coins is worth the risk of my life or having to take the life of another so I would simply avoid that area.

If I was bent on checking it out I would take a few precautions. Take a few friends with you, have at least one make sure they are paying attention to the surroundings. Have each person "armed" with a long handled shovel so it shows that you have some level of protection (though those shovels could backfire image wise for the hobby but that doesn't sound like it may a problem here). And, not lastly, I would be armed with a firearm.

As a firearms enthusiast, teacher, safety officer and big proponent of the Second Amendment I would urge you to really consider the potential outcome of searching this site going in with your Sig. Are the potentials really worth the risk?

 

[LM]

But hey, there is great gun control in New Jersey, like Chicago, isn't there? So why worry?

Hahahaha, yeah, no kidding.

Here, almost everyone ignores the gun laws as far as keeping one in their homes, since there is actually stuff written into state law that someone can't be prosecuted for using an unregistered firearm in an otherwise lawful act of self defense while in their home.

Obviously, concealed carry is a different ball of wax and doesn't (and probably won't ever) exist here in any legal capacity. Plenty of totally law abiding people practice the 'rather be caught with it than caught without it' philosophy, but carrying unlawfully is a Class 1 misdemeanor and up to a year in the poke. No fun. Also, Chicago coppers are no joke. They don't think twice about stopping and checking someone out of they suspect something is 'odd'. White guy + metal detector + ghetto qualifies. I wouldn't want to be unlawfully packing in a situation where I could reasonably expect to be stopped and checked out.

I just don't think it's worth it. Due to an in-law family situation, I presently live on Chicago's legendary Southside- in an enclave that's a wee little dot of rapidly decaying sanity amidst a huge swath of what's otherwise some of the worst ghetto in the civilized world. I live in this stuff on a daily basis and have no desire to travel deep into the jungle for the sake of recovering nickles and pull tabs, or maybe a ring.

If someone said "Hey, go walk around a park in Roseland with your metal detector and I'll give you a gold earring," I'd say no way, so I don't really see any upside to doing it voluntarily, on my own time, when even that little bit of reward is far from certain.

 

[Mr.T]

But hey, there is great gun control in New Jersey, like Chicago, isn't there? So why worry?

Hahahaha, yeah, no kidding.

Here, almost everyone ignores the gun laws as far as keeping one in their homes, since there is actually stuff written into state law that someone can't be prosecuted for using an unregistered firearm in an otherwise lawful act of self defense while in their home.

Obviously, concealed carry is a different ball of wax and doesn't (and probably won't ever) exist here in any legal capacity. Plenty of totally law abiding people practice the 'rather be caught with it than caught without it' philosophy, but carrying unlawfully is a Class 1 misdemeanor and up to a year in the poke. No fun. Also, Chicago coppers are no joke. They don't think twice about stopping and checking someone out of they suspect something is 'odd'. White guy + metal detector + ghetto qualifies. I wouldn't want to be unlawfully packing in a situation where I could reasonably expect to be stopped and checked out.

I just don't think it's worth it. Due to an in-law family situation, I presently live on Chicago's legendary Southside- in an enclave that's a wee little dot of rapidly decaying sanity amidst a huge swath of what's otherwise some of the worst ghetto in the civilized world. I live in this stuff on a daily basis and have no desire to travel deep into the jungle for the sake of recovering nickles and pull tabs, or maybe a ring.

If someone said "Hey, go walk around a park in Roseland with your metal detector and I'll give you a gold earring," I'd say no way, so I don't really see any upside to doing it voluntarily, on my own time, when even that little bit of reward is far from certain.

Hi there.

For what its worth, I agree with every word PokerPlayer says. Why turn your life into a Quintin Tarantino movie? I Can't see this being the way forward for you! I'd rather go cage fighting.....blindfolded. At least theres a referree.

And think of the damage to our hobbie's reputation if you go around shooting people in the projects, especially innocent bystanders!

It would make a great comedy film though. Especially trying to explain to police how you were trying to protect your penny.

You definitely wouldn't go lonely in prison, if you pulled a stunt like that!

LOL

Rory

 

[Chug And Red]

There are a few parks in Vancouver WA that I would not hunt without some one else to watch my back!!! I have never hunted across the river from me( Portland Or) but I know of a few there that i would not detect alone!!!!

 

[lidigger]

Aside from the obvious option of taking someone else along with you, I'd say go in the early morning. If this is truly a bad area with drug users, gangs etc... then you are less apt to run into someone in the early morning. They'll be sleeping off whatever they got themselves into the night before and wont be out and about until after mid-day. My friend is a photographer who shoots in urban areas and he had the same concerns with walking around with a camera that was near $3K. He's never had a problem going early.

Chris / LI Digger

 

[Chug And Red]

Wear a bright orange vest and a yellow hardhat so it looks like you work for the city. Also, set up some police tape around your 'work area'. Ok, maybe that's not so practical after all. Seriously, though, maybe try a preliminary 'test hunt' with your cheaper backup detector if you have one, and maybe in the middle of the day, to see what kind of eyeballing you get. Another idea is, maybe get 2-3 other detectorists to go with you. You'll risk losing some good scores yourself, but you'll raise your odds of making it out of there with whatever you find. I bet the reason you are second-guessing, though, is going to be the reason the area is full of good finds. Don't forget to show your finds!

100 percent agree Find a few buddies to detect with, even here in Vancouver Wa there are a Couple of parks I WOULD LIKE TO DETECT, BUT NOT WITHOUT BACKUP!!!! Heavy gang areas!!!!

 

[Montauk3]

If you go, and are mugged, are you going to be crying to us?

I sure hope not! There is a thing called situational awareness. Would you skate on ice that you knew was thin?

God gave us brains, use it.

 

[niffler72]

Being a hood rat myself the best advice I can give is go early when its cold and bring a buddy. I also read this advice in The Urban Treasurehunter, keep a handful of ruty nails and bottlecaps in one pocket. If anyone asks get a demented look on your face and show them your trashure. I've used this technique and it's worked for me. If you want some support drop me a note I'm in NJ.

 

[tmanfromtexas]

But hey, there is great gun control in New Jersey, like Chicago, isn't there? So why worry?

Hahahaha, yeah, no kidding.

Here, almost everyone ignores the gun laws as far as keeping one in their homes, since there is actually stuff written into state law that someone can't be prosecuted for using an unregistered firearm in an otherwise lawful act of self defense while in their home.

Obviously, concealed carry is a different ball of wax and doesn't (and probably won't ever) exist here in any legal capacity. Plenty of totally law abiding people practice the 'rather be caught with it than caught without it' philosophy, but carrying unlawfully is a Class 1 misdemeanor and up to a year in the poke. No fun. Also, Chicago coppers are no joke. They don't think twice about stopping and checking someone out of they suspect something is 'odd'. White guy + metal detector + ghetto qualifies. I wouldn't want to be unlawfully packing in a situation where I could reasonably expect to be stopped and checked out.

I just don't think it's worth it. Due to an in-law family situation, I presently live on Chicago's legendary Southside- in an enclave that's a wee little dot of rapidly decaying sanity amidst a huge swath of what's otherwise some of the worst ghetto in the civilized world. I live in this stuff on a daily basis and have no desire to travel deep into the jungle for the sake of recovering nickles and pull tabs, or maybe a ring.

If someone said "Hey, go walk around a park in Roseland with your metal detector and I'll give you a gold earring," I'd say no way, so I don't really see any upside to doing it voluntarily, on my own time, when even that little bit of reward is far from certain.

Sorry, but I call BS on your overall perception of people in the rougher areas of Chicago. I spent 3.5 years in Gary just across the boarder in Indiana. I have hunted parks in Chicago such as Jackson, Washington, Douglass, and even Garfield without an issue. I hunted all of the parks and some of the schools in Gary, alot of times by myself without a problem. BTW I am a white guy hunting in black areas of both cities. I had one little conversation with some folks at Garfield right after Obama was elected but other than that most of the folks that live in those areas are nice hard working people. I have met some good folks that were genuinly interested in what I and others were doing and some even wanted to get into the hobby. As far as you being scared to hunt those parks, that just gives my buddies up there a better chance to find the good stuff AND it gives me a chance to find stuff when I come back to visit. TMAN...

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Being a hood rat myself the best advice I can give is go early when its cold and bring a buddy. I also read this advice in The Urban Treasurehunter, keep a handful of ruty nails and bottlecaps in one pocket. If anyone asks get a demented look on your face and show them your trashure. I've used this technique and it's worked for me. If you want some support drop me a note I'm in NJ.

"

Being a hood rat myself the best advice I can give is go early when its cold and bring a buddy. I also read this advice in The Urban Treasurehunter, keep a handful of ruty nails and bottlecaps in one pocket. If anyone asks get a demented look on your face and show them your trashure. I've used this technique and it's worked for me. If you want some support drop me a note I'm in NJ.

What!