Tips for metal detecting in high crime areas?

[randwool]

Not worth it...

OK Mikie, you're crazy!!!
Not worth the "maybe I should have stayed home" iffies either being temporarily or permanently injured, OR facing criminal charges for "violating" someone's civil rights.
Do you support a family? Too many other safer areas to be searched.

 

[dogpound]

wear an orange city workers vest, get a carry permit, hunt with a friend with a carry permit so you can cover each others back, park close to where your hunting , have your cell phone on hand

 

[hellomikie92]

Haha thanks for the advice people, yeah I'm a little crazy, but I think its worth a shot, however a construction worker vest is a good idea. I have to say though, it may not necessary be 100% dangerous, maybe 99, or 80 % but not 100% If anybody can think of anymore tips, I'll be glad to hear them. :-) Take care.

 

[71Cuda]

Get a pair of blue coveralls, a hardhat, steel toed boots or something that look like steel toed boots and an orange workers vest. You'll look like a city worker looking for utility lines

 

[Silversmith45]

Purchase this hat and shirt combo and wear them when detecting.

Here one with NIS would probably work better. I don't believe such areas are worth risking it. I usually hunt alone anyway since my car won't make it to where anyone else is hunting.

 

[Metal DT]

All good advice.You can also wear the Police baseball buff hats that make them think you could be an off duty Police officer.I hunt bad neighborhoods frequently and go armed.Be respectful to all the people in the hood until they give you a reason not to.Two people are always better then one but then if it's a good spot you have to share it.CARRYING AND SWINGING A Lesche Sampson 31″ T-Handle Serrated Blade Shovel keeps people at bay as well.

 

[sonoman06]

I carry my Ruger 357 on my hip. I carry my .32 Berretta Tomcat .32 on my ankle. I carry my sawed off 20 Gage in my waistband. No problem.

 

[HarveyH48]

The utility/repair outfit is a good one, the thugs want utilities and such too, and don't want to create a situation where they have to wait days to get anything fixed, because it's a bad area. Most definitely go in alone, it's just begging for trouble. While one or two thugs are messing with you, the rest are ripping off your car, or anything you can't see, if you left equipment on the ground. It doesn't work as well with two sets of eyes.

If you carry, you need to make sure you are fully ready to take a life. Drawing it, or displaying it, in a threatening manner, is also a crime. I know, it doesn't make a lot of sense, better off killing, rather than just giving warning. You wound or cripple someone, who hasn't actually committed a crime, just implied, will also get you into trouble as well. If you aren't fulling into using that gun, those thugs are probably quite willing, if the get it away from you. No bigger insult in life, than to be killed with your own weapon. Not mention, they'll likely get you wallet, your drivers licence, and car keys, and know you got some money, and won't be home to greet them, just your wife and kids...

 

[HiDesertHunter]

Lots of good advice here but I would like to chime in on the concealed carry issue. Unless you are already familiar with firearms, carry on a regular basis, shoot regularly and are aware of the laws in your state and local area I can not support the idea of you 'carrying'. Carrying a firearm is a huge responsibility and is not to be taken lightly. Strapping a gun on (like it is just another piece of equipment) without the proper training and experience will likely get you into more trouble than out of.

 

[JohnUK]

This thread makes disturbing and incredible reading for an English detectorist.

 

[mikie2084]

I would open carry if permitted, and have atleast 1 other person with me. That said I still wouldnt do it. Not worth it to me.

 

[HiDesertHunter]

This thread makes disturbing and incredible reading for an English detectorist.

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe you are completely unable to carry (or own) a firearm in England correct? Restrictions on knives too I believe. This effectively makes one a 'sitting duck' for any criminal who may have a weapon. What is the crime situation like in your area?

 

[JohnUK]

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe you are completely unable to carry (or own) a firearm in England correct? Restrictions on knives too I believe. This effectively makes one a 'sitting duck' for any criminal who may have a weapon. What is the crime situation like in your area?

I've never had any fears about my own safety when detecting in the UK. Mind you, if there is an unfriendly looking bull in a field, I might just give it a miss.

You are right; we don't have any need to carry firearms or other weapons. It's against the law anyway.

 

[Michaeltime]

Tough Neighborhoods and detecting them

In the late 80s and early 90s I detected curb strips in bad neighborhoods. You have kids trying to grab your finds, so learn to use a probe to locate and get down in and get it out without them seeing it.

Detect during 10 am to 3pm and leave. I detected once until near dusk and had things thrown at me and people on a porch across the road throwing things at me that hit a stop sign. Only go on sunny days. All that being said you can find areas not so bad that the homes are from the 40s on up that will be good for some silver and wheats. Be friendly and watch your back a lot, don't be bent over when people are near you digging a coin out. When asked don't be a smart elick tell them you find a few older pennies not worth much some will take interest and might even invite you to detect their yard. Like anyone they don't like a jerk or the feeling they are being lied to. They are people just like anyother and are there because they don't have the income to live in a better neighborhood. I kind of think the bad bunch only comes out in the later part of the day as they are up doing things at night so they sleep until 2 pm and get up . All that said I haven't done curb strips in those places since the early 90s. I do curb strips in small towns out front of older homes.
Good luck with your detecting and have a buddy doing the other side so you head one way and off the stretch of street together, looking out for each other. One more thing dress cheap, jeans and a T shirt, but then I have always dressed that way. I would also take a cheap detector that is not flashy looking that has a screen to tell you what it is you might be digging. The seem to go deep enough to find some good finds. Treat their curb strip as you would your own making a slit with a screwdriver and loosening the soil to get your fingers in and get the coin or ring out. fill it back in and push the grass together. If asked to not dig stop and say sorry and move on.
M6 Mike

 

[Digsalot]

Lots of good advice here but I would like to chime in on the concealed carry issue. Unless you are already familiar with firearms, carry on a regular basis, shoot regularly and are aware of the laws in your state and local area I can not support the idea of you 'carrying'. Carrying a firearm is a huge responsibility and is not to be taken lightly. Strapping a gun on (like it is just another piece of equipment) without the proper training and experience will likely get you into more trouble than out of.

Definitely!!!

 

[WildDigger]

I have my Carry permit and a weapon on me at all times except on school grounds where it is not allowed. But It is in my car and my hand is all ways on my digger.

 

[ramer]

Not worth it

A carry permit, mace, zapper, make sure your lescher is clearly visible on your belt, cell phone, a large buddy with you, and a loud siren or alert device would be nice too.
Wow, sounds like we are describing the high crime areas of third world countries.......oh, that's right, that's what our urban centers have become.
About 3 or 4 years ago, two local club members were threatened by a gang of young punks while hunting in an urban area. The leader and the youngest kid there was later arrested for shooting a local policeman in the back of the head with a .22 rifle. He was 14 at the time and is now serving a life sentence.

 

[hellomikie92]

Hmmm maybe I'll have a whole swat team protecting me then. Hahahahahaha not likely, but I will have protection, and I know some of you guys are saying it isn't worth it, but I still wanna give it a shot. I probably will not keep on doing it, but a couple of times shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[hellomikie92]

Once again thanks for the advice, pretty good advice too, and I am still open to anymore advice y'all may have, that has not been said on this topic I created.

 

[ramer]

This thread makes disturbing and incredible reading for an English detectorist.

Yes, it is disturbing for us Americans too. Certain elements of our society just can't seem to get it together and have taken over parts of our city centers where crime has become rampant.
Luckily though, they can stay there and the rest of us more decent folks can move further away. It's nice to have a really large country where you can move out to nicer areas.