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What To Do When They Come For You


Gecko1

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I like night caching. I always stay close to inhabited areas to avoid the "lurkers" but recently I seem to be having problems with the cops in those areas. Ever since 9/11, people have been on alert for suspicious characters. The problem seems to be that geocachers perfectly match that description, poking around at night with backpacks. I know several people who have had the police called on them. I have come very close with people giving me the look. I was wondering if anyone had any tips about how to look natural in the woods at night without resorting to a sleeping bag.

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Are you allowed to be in these locations at night? If so, just act like you're supposed to be there. Don't jump around like you're doing something wrong and there is less of a chance you will be bothered.

 

Otherwise, I suggest wearing a funny hat and make scary ghost noises.

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Try a hardhat, orange safety vest and a clipboard. Works well in the daytime, too. I've got a lot of experience night caching in urban parks and on the rare occassion that someone actually inquires as to what we're doing in the park with headlamps and BFL's, I usually say that we're studying owls. B)

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Are you allowed to be in these locations at night? If so, just act like you're supposed to be there. Don't jump around like you're doing something wrong and there is less of a chance you will be bothered.

Amen!

 

Many cachers try to "be stealthy," which only attracts attention. Act as if you are not trying to hide your presence or your activity in any way, and you are much less likely to have the cops called on you. If the cops do arrive, don't try hiding behind a tree or looking guilty. Act as if you what you are doing is perfectly natual and above-board (which it is).

 

Trying to be sneaky is a sure-fire way to get suspicion put on you. Lots of cachers and cache pages encourage it, but it is a very, very stupid thing to do.

Edited by fizzymagic
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Put up a pup tent, make a glowing fire, put some marshmallows on the end of a stick, hold marshmallow over flame until it catches fire. When the marshmallow gets a nice toasty brown and a little black ash forms on the edges blow out the flame then carefully insert stick....mallow end first, into your gaping mouth. Gently bite down on the stick and using your teeth slowly withdraw said stick from said mouth leaving the delictable toasted/melted mallow in your mouth. After having a few mallows, crawl inside your little tent and go to sleep. In this instance it is perfectly alright and normal looking to even use a sleeping bag. That's about as 'natural' as I can make it fer ya. Anything else will surely draw unwanted looks and a visit from the county sheriff's third shift. B)

Edited by Team Cotati
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Many cachers try to "be stealthy," which only attracts attention. Act as if you are not trying to hide your presence or your activity in any way, and you are much less likely to have the cops called on you. If the cops do arrive, don't try hiding behind a tree or looking guilty. Act as if you what you are doing is perfectly natual and above-board (which it is).

 

Trying to be sneaky is a sure-fire way to get suspicion put on you. Lots of cachers and cache pages encourage it, but it is a very, very stupid thing to do.

Good thought. I have seen "be stealthy" on many cache pages. They are only taking the muggles into account.

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I've run into cops at night in urban areas, since I cache at night a lot. If asked what I'm doing, I answer, "Geocaching". If they don't know what it is, I explain it to them. Showing your GPSr doesn't hurt, since it adds credibility to your story.

 

No problems so far.

 

If you are in a forested area at night, then be sure you are there during open park hours - most parks in my area close at sunset. If not, then your brain is going to have a difficult time "acting like I belong there." Cops usually don't patrol these areas unless nearby residents call them and/or there's a history of problems in the area. In that case, you shouldn't be there at night, for your own safety.

 

I usually run into park rangers in forested/open preserve areas, usually at dusk. I take a different tact with them - I try not to specifically mention Geocaching, unless it's obvious that I am. There have been cases of rangers being strict on us, so I just act like another hiker enjoying the outdoors.

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In my area, there are only a few parks open after dusk. I have had to explain my activities when I am trying to make it out of the parking lot before the park officials lock the gate when dusk is a little too subjective. Other than the one locality that allows parks to stay open until 10 pm, there is not much need for that. In every situation like this, I suggest open and honest dialogue with law enforcement.

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As I was gcing,I noticed a police car in the parking lot ,just setting there.Upon finishing,I decided to go to him and explain,as I was sure he was observing me.He was surprised by my visit,and had never heard of gc.He was also very young,like a high school age kid.As we were talking ,another car drove up to us,and a pretty young lady got out,about his age.They both seemed a bit impatient,but very cordial.They also were looking at each other.I could feel the heat,and dismissed myself asap.I don't think they even saw me leave. B)

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First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the trade unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me. – Martin Niemoeller (1892-1984)

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Try a hardhat, orange safety vest and a clipboard.

Is that legal? Seems like it would be impersonating a construction worker or something. B)

That, my friends, is high comedy.

My thought exactly.

 

No laws against impersonating construction workers, no matter how offended construction workers may be.

 

Of course, if Senator Santorum ever gets his pet legislation passed, it may indeed, one day, be illegal.

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I was once apprehended after a successful night find. It was October and even though the sun had set long before the park hours are until 11 pm. We'd parked in a legal spot, but we didn't expect that a band of kids was running around playing pranks on unsuspecting condo owners nearby. In that case it was lucky that my "guide" was not only a reviewer but someone intimate with the law. I think he said something like, "I'll handle this. Just be calm."

 

The "Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law" card must have worked. They only ran our IDs after having already run my plates and possibly opening my car for a search. They claimed it was unlocked. They even knew what we were doing. Maye it was the 9 million Geocaching stickers holding my poor car together.

 

My only LEO encounter, thus far.

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I do night caches just on a regular basis, I like FTFs and in my neck of the woods this means going out at night.

 

I carry a police scanner on by belt so that I know if some one has repoerted me in an area at night. I have been approached twice by Leos in a 2 week period. The first time I found the cache and took it to may truck to sign the log and then I replaced it when I replced it I forgot my scanner in the truck, as I got back into my truck I hear a Leo report my location and truck Lic number just as the spot light came on. I just told her what I was doing and what geocaching was I why I was out at midinight, She just said you guys are crazy and left.

 

Second time it was about a week later and I was crawilng around durring a rain storm in the mud at 1am when a leo showed, I had been looking for an hour (The coordinates were way off) I just told him what I was doing and he said Your guys are nut and he drove off.

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This is one of the reasons we carry  a copy of the cache description from the web.  It and an honest answer are hard to doubt.  Who knows, you may even help the officer decide to join our ranks.

Yup, the last encounter I had with a LEO while cacheing ended up with him parking and providing a much needed assist. B):mad:

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This is one of the reasons we carry  a copy of the cache description from the web.  It and an honest answer are hard to doubt.  Who knows, you may even help the officer decide to join our ranks.

Yup, the last encounter I had with a LEO while cacheing ended up with him parking and providing a much needed assist. :blink:B)

Sounds like you have a new recruit. B)

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Of course, if Senator Santorum ever gets his pet legislation passed, it may indeed, one day, be illegal.

That would only outlaw posing as the construction worker from the Village People. :blink:

more comedy! B)

Edited by Gecko1
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Just tell them you are a member of an organization called Groundspeak and if they mess with you they will be flamed on an international forum.

Possibly with pictures.

You know how sneaky cellphone pictures can be.

Conspiricy theory will be on your side.

Trust the force.

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Add another LE encounter to my tally, and this one occurred in daytime.

 

I was digging some dirt looking for a benchmark today, and a policeman came over. The first thing he said was "drop your shovel!"

 

I didn't hesitate and did that immediately.

 

After he saw that my "weapon" was on the ground, he gave me a chance to explain benchmarking. I think the NGS wording on the benchmark printout has a calming effect on authority figures, as he nodded in approval of what I was doing, and left to continue on his patrol.

 

Later on, I saw the same officer pull someone over for a stop sign violation.

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I was digging some dirt looking for a benchmark today, and a policeman came over. The first thing he said was "drop your shovel!"

 

Later on, I saw the same officer pull someone over for a stop sign violation.

This guy is a little too gung-ho. :)

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I was digging some dirt looking for a benchmark today, and a policeman came over. The first thing he said was "drop your shovel!"

 

Later on, I saw the same officer pull someone over for a stop sign violation.

This guy is a little too gung-ho. :laughing:

The OP, the cop, or the guy who attempted to violate a stop sign? (ewwww)

:)

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I was digging some dirt looking for a benchmark today, and a policeman came over. The first thing he said was "drop your shovel!"

 

Later on, I saw the same officer pull someone over for a stop sign violation.

This guy is a little too gung-ho. :unsure:

The OP, the cop, or the guy who attempted to violate a stop sign? (ewwww)

:D

The cop. :D

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I spent probably 45 minutes looking for SherwoodForest's truck stop micro while everyone eating breakfast kept pointing at me and laughing. I fully expected two large truckers or a couple of managers, or both, to be out. Finally I stepped back, decided on a RR visit, and when I came back the breakfast cook was unchaining his bicycle. I had stayed away from cars pretty much and the bike. I checked everything in the grassy area, and nobody ever bothered me. When the bike got moved I found it, without seeming to, and I walked away and re-checked a few more places on the way to the car. Logged it, replaced it. I'm sure they all wondered.

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When the cops arrive, explain what you are doing.

We've pulled up to a caching area where there is a state trooper killing time in his SUV. To go lurking in the bushes or risk being spread out over the hood of his car? Hummm.... We went up to his car, told him what GeoCaching was and what we were up to. He says "As long as it isn't illegal... I don't care".

 

Just the time it took to chat may keep one or two cachers off the hood of a squad car. At least that cop knows not every person lurking in the bushes is up to something no good.

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I have to say, after being visited by local law enforcement a couple of times, I have learned just being straight and trying to explain what you are doing is the best approach. I found this out after visiting a park that was closed, however being a visitor in town had no IDEA the park was closed. After they ran my Tags, and DL, and I explained a little of what I was doing they let me go. I don't know as the totally 100% believed me, but hey they let me go and I learned my lesson, lol

 

Cya on the trails,

Rusty

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I spent probably 45 minutes looking for SherwoodForest's truck stop micro while everyone eating breakfast kept pointing at me and laughing. I fully expected two large truckers or a couple of managers, or both, to be out. Finally I stepped back, decided on a RR visit, and when I came back the breakfast cook was unchaining his bicycle. I had stayed away from cars pretty much and the bike. I checked everything in the grassy area, and nobody ever bothered me. When the bike got moved I found it, without seeming to, and I walked away and re-checked a few more places on the way to the car. Logged it, replaced it. I'm sure they all wondered.

Never cache in front of truckers. ;)

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Truth and respect.

Police officers all have bulls*** detectors and you never know how nice or terrible their last transaction was.

You give them a break and they will probably give you the benefit of the doubt.

And they might even have a hint as to where the cache is. ;)

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I have a kinda funny story. My brother was parked next to a car that had apparently been stolen, so a cop was immediately on his case. My brother explained that he had nothing to do with the car and had the officer call our mom to confirm his innocence. Somehow or another my mom happened to mention that he took me geocaching the other day and the cop got even more suspicious. He asked them all about geocaching. He asked him if I was his partner in crime and a bunch of other stuff. I hate cops. They are waaaay too suspicious. :D

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When I notice someone watching me and showing concern (including police), I simply go over to them and explain what I am doing & invite them to the website to learn about the game. Several times, I had them help me hunt the cache. This is completely disarming to any concern they have.

 

Have seen a cache where the police logged a note in the cache reading 'Say No To Drugs' after they stopped a cacher thinking the cache was a drug drop site.

 

It also sets up peace for those cachers who follow me to the cache as neighbors tell neighbors, police tell police and our presence becomes benign rather than threatening.

Edited by GRANPA ALEX
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Try a hardhat, orange safety vest and a clipboard.

Is that legal? Seems like it would be impersonating a construction worker or something. :D

I usually skip the hard hat, but have used the Orange Vest and Clipboard multiple times and it works.

 

However the question is... What to do when then come for you.

 

IF/When the Cops come, TELL THE TRUTH! Unless you are in South Carolina, you are probably not breaking any laws.

Edited by Right Wing Wacko
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One suggestion I have implemented here since my visit to a micro that got me and my 7 year old held up by an ignorant security guard (see souvenir penny cache in Nevada for details of the arrest) Call all the local law enforcement agencies and tell them about Geocaching and what it involves. I actually got a call from a Capt with the Reno police dept for explanation so he could tell the guys in a memo. Then, before you go out, call the local dispatch and tell them you are caching in the area you are going with a description of what you look like and a cell number. I have not had a single issue since.

 

A little excessive, but after my kid got drug through a casino and tormented by Fern the 300lb 65 yr old loser guard for 45 minutes with me.....it's worth it

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