I have a huge problem....

lostcauses · Aug 2, 2009

Did a bit of checking on this. School property is usually STATE land. Even with school permission, the state law may also be used. Hate to tell folks this, yet again one has to cover there own.
Some schools and school property, even have there own state management systems.
One does need to know these things.

Here again such usually would not be a problem, yet in this case some one is reporting the situation to the local authority. Hope they stay at that level. Also if a school is old enough it could even be on the historic register, and that does make detecting a no no.
It seems if one decides to push this issue, it will easily become a problem for the entire state on school property.

Just saying:

And yes I know I am a pain....

Seamuss · Aug 2, 2009

Isn't a shame that you can't metal detect on school parking lots, but their kids can loiter with the wrong crowds during lunch.

That's exactly what I have been seeing happening to our hobby and schools. That's why I stay away from schools.

pookie-princess of rust · Aug 3, 2009

that stinks

Noodle said:
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.

they dug up a PLOW on your property?!

boogeyman · Aug 3, 2009

lafatlife said:
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.

Simple, Get written permission from each person you've contacted. Place a copy of each letter in a zip lock to carry in your pocket or goodie bag. Be respectful to the officer/s. laying your detector and/or digging tools on the ground and step away from them does wonders to put them at ease, especially at night. Show them your documentation. Another thing that's important is to document time, date, location, officer/s name & badge. Writing down this information while the officer/s are present. Check your library for a copy of the Penal Code. Might be hard to find, but a lot of cities and states have "selective enforcement" on the books. Will hold more clout than crying harrassment. If you have your ducks in a row & everyone is aware that you are documenting everything, theres not going to be a problem. When PD goes by even if they don't stop, make a friend given em a wave, say HI! If you see something illegal, give PD a call. Let them know you're not out to cause trouble, but might be an extra set of eyes watching out.

pookie-princess of rust · Aug 3, 2009

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

good. hopefully it was straightened out.

lafatlife said:
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!!!!

jeric2 · Aug 4, 2009

I don't see a problem, the answer is, get your permission in writing from all of those you mentioned you have it from. Then when the cops come, you can simply show it to them. Problem solved.

sniffer · Aug 4, 2009

Public schools are NOT state owned, they are owned by the taxpayers of the school district. the state cannot come into a district and tell them how to use the school property. Even then, the State schoolboard dictates the curriculum for the state.
they don't tell the schools who can use the property and for what purpose

boogeyman · Aug 4, 2009

This is true in a perfect world. But hang a threat of witholding funds and other threats & I'll bet a school district will fold to anything the State "suggested".

sniffer · Aug 4, 2009

ohiochris · Aug 6, 2009

No offense intended , but this is a situation where a little common sense and forward looking can save us all a lot of headache. As tempting as they can be , AVOID the sports fields themselves.....you attract a lot of negative attention out digging on a sports field where peoples kids play, ....they will just worry for the safety of the kids ....not to mention all the effort somebody does to keep the fields looking as good as possible. Even if you are doing no damage , people atleast THINK you are and its a pretty good way to become unwelcome. Chances are good that if you detect around the bleachers or just outside the field without going into it nobody will pay you any mind.

Tom_in_CA · Aug 6, 2009

I still say just go when busy-bodies aren't around. Certainly you can go early on a Sat. AM, and be done by 8 or 9am, right?

To think that getting school people, or a bureaucrat, police, etc... to "sign a contract" with you, could back-fire. I mean ....... think of it: In this litigical society we live in, what would YOU do, if a total stranger, shows up at your front door, or office desk, with a strange gizmo and contract for you to sign? ::)

Let's face it, most persons would see red flags, and not want to put their signature to something like that. Not that they would have a problem with it (they might easily verbally said "yes" to the same request), but the MERE fact that you present them with a contract, somehow presumes this is inherently a legal matter, something that inherently risky or something, that needs a contract, to begin with.

Just saying you gotta be careful with these mental images. You could end up with a "no", where quite frankly, no one would have otherwise cared (until you asked).

BuckleBoy · Aug 6, 2009

lostcauses said:
Also if a school is old enough it could even be on the historic register, and that does make detecting a no no.

I must correct you here, because I do not like misinformation on a site that so many people use. A house or site that is on the national register of historic places is Not off-limits to metal detecting with permission from the owner.

If state rules apply to state lands, then so be it, but it has nothing to do with the national register.

Please do not continue spreading this misinformation. There have been several articles in major publications about this, and there is plenty written about the fact that if it is private property it is fine, With Permission!

-Buck

Born2Dtect · Aug 6, 2009

True BuckleBoy. Being on a historic register does not make property off limits to metal detecting. I have hunted two historically registered sites in MD. Just got permision from the owner.

Ed D.

BuckleBoy · Aug 6, 2009

Tom_in_CA said:
In this litigical society we live in, what would YOU do, if a total stranger, shows up at your front door, or office desk, with a strange gizmo and contract for you to sign?

I have now heard this bit about the "strange gizmo" in your replies Twice today.

The public is not stupid, nor are they oblivious to what a metal detector is, and what it does. This is not 30 years ago, it is 2009.

They have seen shows aired on National TV programming about metal detecting, and they have seen commercials with detectors as props in them. The public do not think the martians have landed when they drive by and see a detectorist in a school yard, nor do most of the property owners mistakenly call them "geiger counters" anymore. If you asked more permissions, Tom, then you would know that. :wink:

I don't use written contracts, because of the reason you listed--that folks become suspicious when you ask them to sign something... When you are dealing with a single owner of private property, this is true. But when you are talking about a chunk of land that many people oversee, then it doesn't hurt to have written permission and silence the squeaky wheels right off.

-Buck

lafatlife · Aug 10, 2009

Ok everyone, no need to get heated about this. This problem has been solved. It was one individual in particular that was causing the problem and the written permission has seemed to solve it. If it weren't for that person, it would not have been a problem at all.

For the record, I was way in the outfield where I was digging and on a hill so people having issues with their kids playing there was not correct. Everyone uses this field and they even had a relay for life on there which made a mess of the field. More than I could ever do.

The problem was that I was near the boys field. It is never an issue when I am near the girls field. Sorry but the boys get everything and mean everything in this town even when the teams are horrible.

Needless to say the issue has been resolved.

Thanks for everyones comments. The right thing to do was what I did. I secured permission and notified the police chief and gave him copies of that permission. Problem solved.

pokerdad911 · Aug 10, 2009

I always hunt the high schools weekends EARLY morning, talkin 5:30. I get up anyways around that time always. I always hunt them summer time to avoid that problem, also gives them time to lose stuff. I do that cause I have not seen many detetors around my area.

allen · Aug 11, 2009

get permission from the school board
and get it in writing and as buckleboy
said, make sure the school board
assumes no liabilits if you get injured,
make sure this is on the permission slip.

Born2Dtect · Aug 11, 2009

There are sure a lot of opinions here. Here are a few facts. About 3 years ago I contacted 10 local school principles to get permission to metal detect at their schools. I sent them all emails explaining what I wanted to do. Hit all the major points, digging, filling holes, returning finds if identified, going when school is out, offering to look for lost items. I got replies from all, 9 out of ten gave permission. One emailed back in 3 minutes. A couple contacted their school superintendents. None mentioned liability or signed contracts. So I did not offer. I did keep copies of their emails giving me permission in my glove box. I had a lot of fun at these schools. As principles and superintendents can change from year to year, I would update the permission yearly. I have never been questioned by anyone at these sites. 3 principles came out and introduced themselves and said to contact them if I have any questions. This was easy, simple and to the point. It flat out worked.

Now the questions.
Did I need to do it? Yes,No? I was right, legally, morally, and felt good about it.
Could I have just went detecting? Yes? No? I could have, but then you could be run off and not allowed to return. School grounds are managed by the local school districts in my area. Anyone from the district office to the individual schools can put a cramp in my detecting privileges.
Isn,t it public land? Absolutely Yes. However even public land is managed by someone and most mangers can get you run of, right or wrong.

My point is, this worked, I felt good about it, promoted the hobby and did not leave any ill feelings about detectorist along the way.

Is this the only way to go, NO. But it is a good blue print to try.

Thanks to all! Have a good day.

Ed D.

lafatlife · Sep 9, 2009

I had to update everyone on this.....now it is the people across the street from the field that are calling the cops!!

They called last night and the cops came by and then called back into the station to say it was ok that we had permission.

Such busy bodies in this little town I tell ya!!! Like we are leaving gaping holes all over the place...Please, you can't even tell we were there at all!!!

Sheesh!!!!