I have a huge problem....

[lafatlife]

Hi Everyone, I have a problem detecting in my town now. Apparently the parents don't like the fact that I detect the high school. This evening I was in the area near the parking area which is on the opposite side of the ball fields. (I was kicked out of the field a few weeks ago) Well they have called the police and the chief has told his officers that if they see anyone digging that they needed to tell us to stop.

I told the officer that I have permission from the principal, the head custodian and the park and rec guy and he asked me if I have it in writing. Of course I don't, it's a small town and usually your word is still good. There are no laws against metal detecting in this town either.

Now my problem is this.... these parents seem to think that I need permission from the Board of Education to hunt at the PUBLIC schools. BS is what I say to that. I figure that my taxes pay for the holes that dig and refill.

So, does anyone have a form letter that I could get a copy of so that all the park and rec guy has to do is sign it? Oh get this, I went to school with the chief of police as well as the park and rec guy so they know me. I also currently work for the school district!!!

I am just so angry right now about this because it is just parents and passerbys that are being nosey!!!

Any suggestions anyone?

 

[willie d]

This might not be exactly what you're looking for, but it's a start. http://www.hrrsmetaldetecting.com/documents/HRRSpermissions.pdf

I think that if you have permission from the appropriate people, you should tell the parents that are giving you a hard time to go fly a kite and mind their business.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Pick more discreet times, when busy-bodies aren't out snooping around? (ie.: early AM's, etc...) Heck, it's gotten to where I do most of my hunting at night now. Just like you, in this case: not because there's anything wrong or illegal, but just to avoid busy-bodies

 

[lafatlife]

I would love to tell the parents but they do not approach me, they just call the police.

Willie, thanks for the link. That is close but it is too specific for public property.

I will try to see if I can have a meeting with the Chief and see what he says.

This is so infuriating!!!

 

[lafatlife]

Pick more discreet times, when busy-bodies aren't out snooping around? (ie.: early AM's, etc...) Heck, it's gotten to where I do most of my hunting at night now. Just like you, in this case: not because there's anything wrong or illegal, but just to avoid busy-bodies

Would like to but it's a busy road and a lot of people travel on it at all times. Then the cops would ask what I was doing when they saw a light on. They would be really suspicious then.

 

[Detectingfreak]

How about try detecting at different schools and let this problem cool down and then go back once there is no one around and detect, or detect at night!

 

[detectit]

Welcome to the brave new world, of the new world order. It sickening to everyone! Seems detectors will go, then our guns next. Then everyone will be doing the goosestep next. Keep watching the news, if you THINK it's BS. It's getting to be serious now.

 

[diggemall]

Welcome to the brave new world, of the new world order. It sickening to everyone! Seems detectors will go, then our guns next. Then everyone will be doing the goosestep next. Keep watching the news, if you THINK it's BS. It's getting to be serious now.

It USED to be that, if some busybody complained about someone doing something that was perfectly legal, Law Enforcement would have the cajones to tell the busybody "Ms So-and-so, he's not hurting anyone or breaking any law". Nowadays though, it seems if somebody whines, Law Enforcement goes out of their way to FIND something they can tag the poor sap with............ It ain't just MD-ers; it's EVERYWHERE.

Diggem'

 

[rginn]

I think there's something you're not telling us, as you said you were kicked out a few weeks ago. Also, I don't know where you're at, and a small town to me is less than 1,000 pop. Maybe those guys you went to school with have a bias against you from back then. HOWEVER, your school board should be having a monthly meeting, so call them up, get put on the agenda. This is important to be on the agenda, so you are guaranteed a chance to speak. Or you can just show up. Most public bodies have a small amount of time allotted for walk-ins. I don't know about your state. Present your case, get permission, and you're home free. Let us know what you find.

 

[Tank69]

I second RGINN

 

[lostcauses]

Them parents think you after the kids. As for the cops, once they are called they could view it as disturbing the peace.
As for permission, always get it in writing, including the right to own the relics you remove. It is usualy advisable to cary wavers for adcidents also. Such is done so they do not think you will sue them if you get hurt. This is the main reason public places such as schools will not allow you to do such. The risk of getting sued due to you got hurt, or what you do gets some one else hurt, they have to foot the bill.
It is not just as simple as most think.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Them parents think you after the kids. As for the cops, once they are called they could view it as disturbing the peace.
As for permission, always get it in writing, including the right to own the relics you remove. It is usualy advisable to cary wavers for adcidents also. Such is done so they do not think you will sue them if you get hurt. This is the main reason public places such as schools will not allow you to do such. The risk of getting sued due to you got hurt, or what you do gets some one else hurt, they have to foot the bill.
It is not just as simple as most think.

If you insist on getting something in writing, make sure that what you have also includes a Waiver of Liability for the school!

 

[Born2Dtect]

I have received permission from several principles to detect schools. Several have said they contacted the head of school boards to be sure. I would simply get the permission from the school board in writing (an email will do). This way everyone should be satisfied. Also having this permission will help when asking for other permissions from principles. Also keeping this one written permission handy should stop the law dead in their tracks. I have found the school board head usually has the final say on all school properties they manage. And he is the boss of all.

Ed D.

 

[lostcauses]

The correct term Thanks. LOL not enough coffee this morning.

Them parents think you after the kids. As for the cops, once they are called they could view it as disturbing the peace.
As for permission, always get it in writing, including the right to own the relics you remove. It is usualy advisable to cary wavers for adcidents also. Such is done so they do not think you will sue them if you get hurt. This is the main reason public places such as schools will not allow you to do such. The risk of getting sued due to you got hurt, or what you do gets some one else hurt, they have to foot the bill.
It is not just as simple as most think.

If you insist on getting something in writing, make sure that what you have also includes a Waiver of Liability for the school!

 

[BuckleBoy]

The correct term Thanks. LOL not enough coffee this morning.

Them parents think you after the kids. As for the cops, once they are called they could view it as disturbing the peace.
As for permission, always get it in writing, including the right to own the relics you remove. It is usualy advisable to cary wavers for adcidents also. Such is done so they do not think you will sue them if you get hurt. This is the main reason public places such as schools will not allow you to do such. The risk of getting sued due to you got hurt, or what you do gets some one else hurt, they have to foot the bill.
It is not just as simple as most think.

If you insist on getting something in writing, make sure that what you have also includes a Waiver of Liability for the school!

LOL I had two cups this morning and I am bouncing off the walls.

 

[sqwaby]

I hunt like Tom in Ca, off hours, weekends, etc. You would think with all the break ins and vandalism, that the police would be glad to have a law abiding citizen on the premises keeping an eye out for anything bad. The other thing I would add is to avoid digging during hot weather, even if your filling the holes in the plugs are going to die and leave some nasty brown spots. This is especially important where there is groomed turf. Don't give the busy bodies a reason to gripe.

 

[ivan salis]

get the ok from the boss (head of the school board ) in writing that you can do it "off hours " --- of course tell them it will be after normal school hours so as not to bother school while in session -- ask nicely -- even after getting the ok in writing --let the local principles know your going to be about "their" schools --so that way can tell "their" staff not to worry about you -- like grounds folks and such --so their not a pain -- and calling cops on you thinking your some child snatcher creep or other "problem" person that doesn't belong there.

with written ok in hand --- stop by mr police cheif and show him ---that should stop them from coming out to bother you in the first place . -- however if they do still come out -- the paper makes mr po po go bye bye.

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Hey,

Yea this sucks, Please see my thoughts on this on my forum.

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,257466.0.html

Keep @ It and HH!!

 

[ivan salis]

better yet when you got to ask for written "premission" to MD the schools at a board meeting ---bring them some of the dangerous stuff you've collected whille MDing --show them in person how you help "protect" the kids form harm by MDing . --- it'd be very hard for them to say no to someone wanting to protect the local kids in a public forum .

 

[BIG61AL]

i think the underlying reason for the hassle we get from busybodies is some people feel it's their job to control people to their standards. They are the same people who think you shouldn't have pets in the park [legal here], complain about the noise during kids soccor games and heaven forbid you look different, they'll call you a vagrant and swear you are building a camp when all you have is a blanket.