I guess I shouldn't be surprised, I discovered a new "to me" park geocaching and a local told me that Ishouldn't go there because it was dangerous, it is now my FAVORITE nature area locally. It even has an public works project shelter with fireplace. AWESOME.
Anyways, everyone is so conditioned to be afraid in America I shouldn't be surprised cops are warning people against Geocaching because it might SCARE other people:
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3-6-2007
Scavenger hunters warned
By Elizabeth Dinan
edinan@seacoastonline.com
PORTSMOUTH -- Gamers playing Global Positioning System scavenger hunts can be charged with crimes, possibly felonies, police warned Monday.
The announcement followed a Sunday police call from the Shaw's Supermarket at Southgate Plaza for a report about a suspicious package taped to an electrical box. Police Capt. Janet Champlin said officers and detectives were deployed to investigate the perceived public safety threat, which was later deemed to be part of a GPS scavenger hunt.
The box is described by police as a small, metallic case that was duct-taped and attached with a metallic base to the electrical panel on an exterior supermarket wall. Investigating officers discovered the box was a "cache," or prize used to reward Web-based GPS game players who correctly follow geographical coordinates.
Champlin said police are not disclosing further details about the game because "we don't want to encourage" similar activity. But, the police captain said, if players prompt "public alarm," causing a "reasonable person to become alarmed," police will press charges.
discuss What do you think? Post your comments here!
Suspicious boxes on the Seacoast are just a game
"Since 9/11, suspicious activity has heightened everyone's suspicion level," she said. "We take these things very seriously."
Champlin said charges would likely be disorderly conduct and police would seek restitution for investigating the calls. If the cost of an investigation exceeds $1,000, the crimes would be charged as felonies, she said.
"In this case, officers and detectives were tied up for a time, and that costs taxpayers' money," she said. "It also means there's real crime not being investigated."
The Portsmouth police warning about GPS scavenger hunts came less than a week after a panic in Boston caused highways and bridges to be closed. Devices attached to bridges and other spots in Boston turned out to be a publicity stunt for a Cartoon Network program. Two men were charged in the hoax, and Turner Broadcasting Systems and Interference Inc., owner of Cartoon Network, agreed on Monday to pay $2 million for its role.
Champlin said there was no connection between the Boston incident and the warning issued by police in Portsmouth.
GPS scavenger hunts played on private property with permission of the homeowner do not constitute a crime, Champlin said. Suspicious activity on public property that leads to a needless investigation will be prosecuted, she said.
Police report there was a similar call on Nov. 11 when officers responded to a suspicious activity report at the base of the Piscataqua River Bridge over Interstate 95. Police then discovered a similar "cache" left by GPS scavenger gamers.
"It's just common sense this would cause alarm," said Champlin. "And it's obvious these kinds of games are growing in popularity."
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