I have a huge problem....

[Noodle]

All new folks think we're digging "craters." Take pics with you when you go to get permission. It's a visual thing. We're only after near-surface stuff, except in the rare instance (like when they dug up a plow on my property). Still, all holes are filled and history is found. Stick to it; keep asking. Keep begging.

 

[lafatlife]

Ok I will try to answer everyone, First off my town is just under 8000 people in 12 square miles. Most of live here were born and raised here including myself.

I work at the schools I am referring to and had oral permission from the principals, head custodians as well as the park and rec person. Never had a problem last year detecting these same areas.

I was detecting after hours in a grassy area next to the parking lot on the opposite side of the building from the ball fields. It was about 7:30 pm.

Being a small town there really isn't anything major that is dangerous in the ground except for maybe nails and glass. Not a lot of drugs here yet.

The superintendent of schools is my boss and She knows I detect and even gave me permission to the do the front of her house.

The Chief and the Park and Rec guy have nothing against me, I know that. I don't think they know it is me that people are complaining about.

I did create a form for the principal to sign and included a liability clause in it. He signed it without hesitation. The vice-principal couldn't believe my story and offered to write a letter for me. Also, it has done nothing but rain here all summer so far, (I am in CT) so I am not worried about the ground being dry and leaving dead spots.

So now you all should be up to date. I did not leave anything out and no one is out to get me. Also I am female so that is less threatening to people.
By the way, this game that was going on was the Adult Males playing.

 

[ivan salis]

sounds like the game they were playing was "idiot trouble maker 101." to me. ( if thats their game --their far fom being "adult" males ---more like childish boys .)

 

[lafatlife]

sounds like the game they were playing was "idiot trouble maker 101." to me. ( if thats their game --their far fom being "adult" males ---more like childish boys .)

That was my thought as well.

 

[NGE]

If you are a very pretty female, you may have been inadvertently interrupting their game. And that my dear can cause some serious accidents, such as getting beaned by the ball! You go girl, give 'em he**!......NGE

 

[lafatlife]

If you are a very pretty female, you may have been inadvertently interrupting their game. And that my dear can cause some serious accidents, such as getting beaned by the ball! You go girl, give 'em he**!......NGE

LOL....I wouldn't call myself very pretty but I am certainly not ugly either. That wouldn't be it anyway because the ball field is on the opposite side of the school. you can't even see it unless you are at the end of the school and looking down the hill.

 

[DigginThePast]

Deb

I'd say to come on down the road a bit and detect around the schools in my home town but I was given the boot simply for walking the track for exercise at the high school. It still angers me, with paying property taxes and making donations to the town etc I should be able to use the track when it is not in use for a school function. If I try to walk on my road I'll be flattened.

Sounds like you should be able to straighten things out though. Maybe someone was concerned that you were the new music teacher?

edit to add: There may be some tension in the minds of those making the complaints about seeing a woman at the school "doing something strange" and what recently happened with the female music teacher. I could be way off base, just a thought. Ever go to Chute Gates? Gorged myself on steak there earlier this evening.

 

[lafatlife]

Thanks Mike, I may just take you up on your offer. Not much around here but I am still finding clad.

You've heard about the music teacher did you? LOL. What a mess that is!!! A part of me says she should lose her job, but then a part of me says that her private life has nothing to do with her job.

Needless to say I am glad that I do not have to make that decision.

Chute Gates, yes I have eaten there. A little pricey as far as I am concerned but the food was ok. I lived in Texas for 8 years so a steak has to be real good for me to be impressed.

Ok, back to the subject....as soon as I get the chance I am going to see if I can speak to the chief. I don't think he knows it is me and I can also point out there is no law or ordinance against it.

I spent the weekend...this beautiful weekend....washing and waxing the motor home so I didn't get out at all.

 

[DigginThePast]

A part of me says she should lose her job, but then a part of me says that her private life has nothing to do with her job.

I agree.

I first heard about it from the husband of a teacher at that particular school.

Anyway, keep us posted as to your situation. I'm curious as to how it turns out.

 

[drgest]

lots of great advice. The only thing I can add is I would keep as low profile as possible while working through this situation. In a small town the fewer people involved and aware the better as far as I'm concerned. Nothing like a controversy to stir everyone's feathers and give them something to talk about over coffee. I wouldn't go the school board meeting unless it came down to it and I had to force my hand or prove a point. How far you want to push it is up to you. Good luck!

 

[eldorado]

if all else fails, you could resort to the ole burning the paper bag on the front porch trick .
filled with soupy fecal matter, so when the busy bodies stamp it out, they get there shoes coated.
(last resort type option.)

 

[lafatlife]

Re: I have a huge problem....UPDATE

Ok, here is the story.... I did receive permission in writing from the Principal of the high school. Today I received an email back from the Park and Rec guy who said he didn't have a problem with me detecting and knows that I respect the parks.

I took both to the police station and I asked to speak to the Chief. I said to him..."I would like to just get the busy bodies off your back and let your officers do their jobs instead of hassling me." He rolled his eyes and said the name of the man and that that person would just love to see the police department go away all together.

He asked for copies of my letters and said he would post them on the blotter so that all the officers would know that I have permission.

Problem solved. If I have to go to the board because of this one individual then I will. And if he continues, I will get him for harassment.

Being in a small town reputation is a huge thing. I am fortunate that most people know me here from either my teaching them computers at the library or because they have kids in the school or because I went to school with them.

By taking the high road and getting the permission in writing and then bringing that to the chief, there was no confrontation between anyone and the police department, who happen to not like this guy and often refer to him as a PITA, have more ammunition to basically tell him to shut up.

So hopefully that is the end of this saga. Thanks everyone for your support!!!!

 

[Newt]

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.

Ya think! School at night? Just asking for trouble doing that. In the south at least.
Newt

 

[DigginThePast]

if all else fails, you could resort to the ole burning the paper bag on the front porch trick .
filled with soupy fecal matter, so when the busy bodies stamp it out, they get there shoes coated.
(last resort type option.)

I'm not sure how that would have helped but it sure made me laugh. Thanks!

Glad to hear you got it straightened out Deb.

 

[lafatlife]

Thanks Mike. It just took a little patience waiting for a reply. I feel good that I did it the right way.

 

[extractor]

 

[Carson Coin Master]

if you already have verbal permission just ask them to put it on a signed piece of paper and carry it with you. if people still have a problem tell them to move to California so they can live in harmony with all the other whack jobs that have nothing better to do with there time than to bitch and moan about things that shouldn't even concern them.

 

[cdltpx]

You get proper documentation so you are not in the wrong. Take this up with an attorney see what he says. Then when they come to tell you to stop you can tell them that you have done your back ground work have an attorney on retainer you just want to find loose change. Personally I moved away from a chump town like that where a hand full of whackers dole out rules absent of law. I HATE MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA the only parish to document a loss of population in the last census because they are crocked scum.

 

[deepbeep]

I was a Small town police officer, Deputy Sheriff for 11 years. I understand the situation the officers are in when they recieve a complaint from a citizen, but they need to be able to site an ordanance against what you are doing. In this case, they would probably use vandelizm.

But, also in this case, when you have permission, how can that be? Would a grounds keeper digging a hole for to plant a bush also be guilty of vandelism? I would truly be temped to do the following if it were me (and it isn't) lol

1. Be extremely respectful to the responding officer.
2. Explain you have permission, and you are not violating any ordance, law, or rule of the school.
3. Take before and after pictures of the grounds to show it's condition.
4. Explain to the officer, you feel bad for his possition, but since you are not violating any law, are going to continue to detect.
5. If he places you under arest, which I doubt he will do, go very willingly and peacefully, and keep your mouth shut.
6. When you are being booked, ask to call a close friend or relative and have them contact the school officials and media, and tell them you are now in jail for doing what they gave you permission to do.

The media will have a field day with a school employee being arrested by local police on school property doing what she had permission from the school officials to do.

Hey, it is a misdomeanor anyway, and you don't have anything else to do this summer! lol

(send me the news articles! )

 

[mlayers]

Why not make a letter yourself with the person name on it that is giving the permission with your name on it with the property address on it.


I ______________________ give ____________________ permission to detect the land at __________________________.

I ________________________ agree to respect this property and I am responable for my action. I do not hold property ownes responable to me if anything happens while I am on their property.