Tips for metal detecting in high crime areas?

[Cyberborikua]

Do not come to Chicago

Really don't. I agree high crime areas can signify riches to an MD enthusiast, but is it worthy to risk your life and belongings like that? I was told once of an older tourist couple from Canada who took a wrong turn and ended up in the infamious, now extinct, Cabrini Green projects in Chicago. They were both robbed and killed in no time. We are people that will not go unseen. People are always curious at what we do. And guess what, many of them express interest. Don't risk being stopped by gang bangers and wonder about your presence in their "territory." These people don't even trust their own shadows. There are so many places we can do our hobby at, that those areas are non-significant. Just my thoughts. Ah, don't risk a buddy either.

 

[mhallack]

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.

Why I live in Maine!! Yeah there is crime and problems here, just like anywhere else. Portland at night might be the riskiest place, but even then, NOTHING like LA, Chicago, etc. I've wandered around Portland late night myself. No problems!!

 

[hellomikie92]

Really don't. I agree high crime areas can signify riches to an MD enthusiast, but is it worthy to risk your life and belongings like that? I was told once of an older tourist couple from Canada who took a wrong turn and ended up in the infamious, now extinct, Cabrini Green projects in Chicago. They were both robbed and killed in no time. We are people that will not go unseen. People are always curious at what we do. And guess what, many of them express interest. Don't risk being stopped by gang bangers and wonder about your presence in their "territory." These people don't even trust their own shadows. There are so many places we can do our hobby at, that those areas are non-significant. Just my thoughts. Ah, don't risk a buddy either.

After you mentioned that place I then looked it up, and I was shocked to see how dangerous it was. Guess I have to do research about these places. Chicago is also one of the dangerous cities in the country? More dangerous then L.A, or Compton, California? I'm sure there are places that are safe in Chicago ,and opened to metal detecting. Is that area still dangerous since they tore the buildings down?

 

[327]

I cant speak for everywhere, but it has been my experience that if you look local and keep a low profie nobody will mess with you if you dont mess with them first. But then again metal detecting might stand out.

 

[DirtyRob]

Early AM QUICK hunts. I have hit a couple of places in the early AM for 30 to 45 minutes. Places you couldn't pay me to try in the middle of the day!

I see posts about hats and t-shirts and such. WRONG! You are asking to get shot at.

And if you do try it. Don't look like a victim or you WILL be one. It's the law of the jungle. The predator weeds out the old, sick, and the ones they stray from the heard.

 

[Curbdog]

I like hunting the older parts of town, but man if you don't run into all the Cobra, Colt 45, Buddweiser, and Schlitz caps!

..and they have that ability to so sound like coins too!

Oh,and yeah, bring a buddy with you.

 

[sonoman06]

This thread just reminded me. Last month I went to the local outdoor range with all my guns. My girlfriend shot my Berretta .32 and the hammer kept falling back after the first shot. I took it from her and pulled the trigger with the hammer down. It unloaded the whole clip in less than 2 seconds. Pretty bad zzz. So, now every time after the first shot...it's full auto. I can't decide if I want to keep it like that or return it. It was manufactured about 5 miles from here in Accokeek Maryland. Maybe I'll bribe them into giving me a free one too. Tell them I'm gonna give the video to channel 7 news otherwise.

 

[gunsmith]

Make sure you know the laws
A good forum is called "the firing line" another is "gun rights media" the folks there will sort you out on whats legal to carry and where-for instance some states have restrictions on parks.

The bad neighborhood idea is excellent, whenever the NRA fixes the law with another great lawsuit I plan on going back to NYC where I found an 1890's dime as a kid.

It is still and was very bad neighborhood. unfortunately NYC has the worse or nearly worse ( i.e strict) gun laws in the country. It also has many spots that have been there since the American Revolution and would make for great digging

I'm glad to find so many folks here are firearms friendly, I am a life member NRA and open/conceal carry all day every day.

 

[calaveras]

I hunt Stockton ,ca ghetto parks. Google Stockton...its a hell hole. Go early am,and dont look like a nerd. Keep an eye out. Only thing I had happen was a Mexican grabbed a blower out of.my.truck. I endef up chasing him all over the dang place.

 

[HiDesertHunter]

I'm glad to find so many folks here are firearms friendly, I am a life member NRA and open/conceal carry all day every day.

Me too - I just do not want people to think strapping on a sidearm suddenly makes them invincible. I do however promote proper, educated and trained gun ownership & carry. I am fortunate to live in a state that is very gun friendly and because I live rurally I carry daily.

 

[JohnUK]

... I am fortunate to live in a state that is very gun friendly and because I live rurally I carry daily.

Friendly? Isn't that a paradox?
Why carry a weapon, then?

 

[Milhaus]

Most of that is hype, I would in a heartbeat. That said, there are places in this country where even the police will come right out and tell you that they have lost the rule of law. Those places are hard to find, and you will know.

 

[Milhaus]

It's sort of for the same reason that Bedouins carry around AK-47s even though there is no chance that anyone would want to mess with them anyways. It's like jewelry. Extremely dangerous jewelry.

Friendly? Isn't that a paradox?
Why carry a weapon, then?

 

[bling bling]

All comments are good and have merit. I always carry a side arm (not just in bad areas). But you have to realize that there are alot of laws concerning when and how to use. It also requires a mind set to actually use it if the situation arises. You never pull it from your holster to back somebody off. If you are truely afraid for your life, you draw and shoot. You have to make the decision to do that before you even start to carry. Pulling a side arm with no intention of shooting (stopping the threat) is more dangerous than not carrying one at all. I Don't mean to preach; just give it some serious thought. One other thing..... Don't stop to chat to curious bystanders. A simple "uh-huh" or nothing at all is all you should say. In these areas, it pays to be "rude".

5 Stars! 3 Thumps up! (wait, I only have 2..)
I love the, "watch all of the Death Wish movies " tip.
Thinking "outside the box" which I call "Outside of the Casket"

I say, walk with a limp and learn heavy slang! =) HHing

 

[dogpound]

this is my "bad area" gear.......

 

[HiDesertHunter]

Friendly? Isn't that a paradox?

Please re-read my post:

I am fortunate to live in a state that is very gun friendly

Meaning carrying here is considerably easier than some other states.

 

[NYNURSE]

Find out who owns the property you want to hunt. Get permission ( bribe him ) and when you get there hand over 2 cold 6 packs and a cheap cooler. The owner will watch over you and probably introduce you to his friends. Be prepared to dig a LOT of trash. Litter containers are mostly unheard of for the past 30 years. If its a good site, go get another 6 pack.

 

[Zse]

Mono headphone or do like I do (I'm paranoid about people around here) and wear the phones around your neck, with the volume cranked. Can still hear all tones well but can hear everything else as well.

 

[Dirt Nuker]

My work has neighborhoods nearby that are less-than-stellar. Still, I have hunted totlots right next to gangland housing projects with no problems (so far). Unfortunately, I live in the only state in the country that is CC unfriendly so I'll skip that topic. Here are a few of my tips/experiences:

• 
  Go with a buddy if possible (I usually hunt alone but there's safety in numbers). Dress the same if possible.

• Look like you own the place. Don't look like a victim.

• Get a flourescent yellow vest now. They're maybe $10. A hardhat also looks good.

• I wear a lanyard with my park permit in it. Lanyards also project a look of "I have some kind of authority to be here.

• Never MD with your wallet. Leave it all in the car. Go ahead and steal my cell phone, I'll track it and nail your (_!_) later.

• As others have said, go early in the day and do NOT stay long.

• Have a line of sight of anybody approaching. I had about a 1/4 mile space between ghetto-central and my MD location. Anybody who I thought might cause a problem sent me to my car and outta there with plenty of warning. Am I profiling? You're damn right. Sue me.

• Stay close to your vehicle.

• I started urban MDing in the winter. Not many thugs out then. If it's cold and the ground is diggable, it's a win.

• Don't be a regular. It's easier for them to size you up if they have plenty of chances by seeing you on many occasions.

• As others have said, leave one ear uncovered.

I believe the best advice is to look like a utility worker of some sort. I wear my yellow or orange vest whenever I'm doing city searches. I get stories of hold-ups across my desk all day, every day and I can't think of one utility worker getting held up. Personally, I would never wear the ATF gear and MD alone. Too many thugs looking to even a score.

 

[hillbillydigger]

The orange utility vest is a good idea. I was MDing at the park today while the mowers were there and people thought I had a leaf blower in my hand not a MD.