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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,824 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
Last night my 78 year old mother in-law was performing in a concert for a not so local towns founders day. She plays tenor Sax in a big band. So being dutiful family members my wife and I went along to listen (Besides the band is pretty good) We went a couple of hours early to get some detecting in at the local schools. We arrived a nice looking elementary school just as the last kids were leaving. The Play area/jungle gym was in a fenced area but the gates were open and no kids present. So we unloaded set up and went to work. Within a few minutes a teacher came out to ask us what we were doing. My wife chatted with her for a few minutes and the teacher seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing. She said goodbye, good luck and left. A bunch of kids with families showed up to practice softball next to the jungle gym. We continued to search. About 10 minutes later a school cop shows up. He watched us for about a minute then came over to talk. "Sir do you have permission to do that?" I politely responded that no I did not have direct permission but was under the impression that schools being public property were OK to detect. Also a teacher had been out and was aware of what we were doing. Apparently in this school district if the Play area is fenced then its off limits to everyone, then no searchy here. The assistant principle had called the cop over to move us. I apologized told him we would pack up and leave wanting no trouble. My wife then asked the cop what about the kids and families playing in the field? The cop responded he had been asked specifically to remove us the other people were ok to stay. He seemed genuinely sorry he was making us leave. So we dropped the matter and left. So much for the fenced area being off limits to everyone. Anyway we did pretty well for the time were did get to hunt. I suspect there is significantly more stuff in the ground there. My wife beat me hands down on the clad count as she was busily digging whilst I was engaged with the law..  |
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Valued Member
Australia
465 Posts |
This is why I do not live in America.
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Valued Member
Australia
465 Posts |
I am looking into this option for finding coins and will let you know how I get on.
btw nice collect.
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
Well, schools are public property but are "non-public-forum public property," meaning that there are restrictions on who can access it when. If you are hanging around a school while children are present anywhere at the school, you will be watched/questioned/asked to leave by a campus or district peace officer, security, or principal every time. If anyone sees you and considers you suspicious, you will be asked to leave....they take zero chances when it comes to children safety or any of the liabilities that goes with that.
If you want to search a school, go in the evening after all students and administration has left and you will have no problems!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
John, You are correct in what you say about them watching you when the kids are around, but nohope said they were there after the last kids left. Quote:
This is why I do not live in America. Good point. America is and has been developing an unfounded and extremely over-reactive attitude about everything recently. Civil rights are out the window in almost every circumstance where someone "feels" threatened. You can see my opinion on the issue in my signature below. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
I Don't think its worth fighting over. I don't normally detect in that area it being some 50 miles from my house.
As I said the Cop was just following instructions from the Vice Principle. He seemed sorry to have to move us. This was at around 6pm so it was definitely outside school hours. I don't have any problems in my local hunting grounds.
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
Quote:
John, You are correct in what you say about them watching you when the kids are around, but nohope said they were there after the last kids left. Actually, he said that they arrived as the kids were leaving. Transition times like these are the highest security risk, which is why he was asked to leave. This will be the result any time someone tries to detect while kids or employees are still at the school. Quote:
America is and has been developing an unfounded and extremely over-reactive attitude about everything recently. Agreed. I think it is deeply rooted in the entitlement that many of us Americans feel. |
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Valued Member
United States
123 Posts |
Quote:
I Don't think its worth fighting over. I don't normally detect in that area it being some 50 miles from my house.
As I said the Cop was just following instructions from the Vice Principle. I commend your attitude! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Going around schools and expecting to be able to mind your own business is like working in a factory and expecting your fellow workers to keep a secret. I work around schools all the time and overhear people talking about this one and that one saying they shouldn't be doing this or that. Lots of moaning and groaning around our schools anyways.
Then the school board is always worried about liability for injuries on school grounds.
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
I posted a little story some time ago about detecting on the school grounds just down the street from my house. Silly me - I chose a Sunday afternoon for my detecting - complete with detector, bucket, and a rather dull but imposing soil knife - and I was swarmed by mostly little girls and finally left after they started cadging dimes from me. Wish I'd had a cop around to protect me from the munchkins!
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
I saw this on the friendly metal detecting forum! Unfortunate story, but nice finds.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,824 |
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Posted 10/08/2011 08:46 am
