I'm back, but still pissed.

[ThatGuyAgain]

He held my phone until the end. He gave me the phone back just seconds before driving away.

All the more shady. You have a first amendment right to photograph and record police performing duties in public so long as you don't interfere with their business. Sorry to hear about this. It sounds like they just stole your gear and hoped you'd be too distraught to notice until they were gone.

 

[chillforlife]

I'm still very curious about the outcome here. What's up Greg?

 

[Bigtoe]

Go ask a lawyer to do it pro-bono and sue for damages as well. Tell the lawyer he can keep everything and make a media spectacle out of it. The media LOVES to dig into these stories. If they have a chance to publicly ruin a cops life - they will. Any press is good press to them.

Please just dont roll over on this. Figure out who was on duty, if you have to, get the other police involved. Get it done. Route the guy. Ruin him. If you need money - set up a go fund me - send the link - and I will donate.

 

[Jski2011]

the guy who did this is scum and deserves whatever is coming to him, I agree with Bigtoe and others who suggested legal action I can imagine it would be a bit time consuming but for your sake and satisfaction as well as for the sake of anyone else who may have a run in with this guy please attempt to pursue this to your satisfaction

 

[chillforlife]

Ya, I'm with the last 2 posters. I just wish I wasn't so far away, I'd love to join the lynch party. The heck with trials, at the very least ruin this guy. I hope his wife runs off with a metal detectorist and takes his dog too. And I hope his kids start calling the new guy Daddy. And I hope all his hair falls out and grows back as broccoli. And when we have completely ruined him, we'll ruin him some more, maybe we'll even kill him until he's dead. Ya, that'll do it. I hate this scum bag.

 

[Bigtoe]

 

[Cfmct]

I'm still very curious about the outcome here. What's up Greg?

This member hasn't posted here in 21 days. I emailed him, so far no response.

 

[KOB]

This member hasn't posted here in 21 days. I emailed him, so far no response.

Maybe he's in jail for not paying the fine and digging on sacred ground. Lol

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Maybe he's in jail for not paying the fine and digging on sacred ground. Lol

Oh sure. Yeah right. And can you point me to a single md'r, in the USA, who ever went to jail for such a thing ? A crisp $100 bill awaits you for any such example . C'mon kob, stop yanking my chain. Yer just trying to bug me !! I take back all those nice things I said about you !

 

[RealJeep]

Here's the scoop guys. I have written a few citations as a Forest Protection Officer with the USFS, the same rules apply.

• When making a contact with an unauthorized activity the LEO must notify you what you're illegal activity is and what you're being cited for. If possessions are confiscated an itemized list MUST be filled out and witnessed by you.
• Said items will be taken to the office and locked up with a tag stating who they belong to.
• If you choose to go in front of the US Magistrate (Highly advised) then you'll be notified of the time and date.
• You can then state your case and take your chances. Most Magistrates and pretty lenient with BS crimes like that and will dismiss the citation and order your possessions released to you.

If you were not giving a receipt of the confiscated possessions than that LEO violated the law and should be punished.
Keep us posted regarding the outcome.

 

[stetam]

I have a feeling there is more to this story than what we have been told.

Steve

 

[SeabeeRon]

Here's the scoop guys. I have written a few citations as a Forest Protection Officer with the USFS, the same rules apply.

• When making a contact with an unauthorized activity the LEO must notify you what you're illegal activity is and what you're being cited for. If possessions are confiscated an itemized list MUST be filled out and witnessed by you.
• Said items will be taken to the office and locked up with a tag stating who they belong to.
• If you choose to go in front of the US Magistrate (Highly advised) then you'll be notified of the time and date.
• You can then state your case and take your chances. Most Magistrates and pretty lenient with BS crimes like that and will dismiss the citation and order your possessions released to you.

If you were not giving a receipt of the confiscated possessions than that LEO violated the law and should be punished.
Keep us posted regarding the outcome.

First off, Welcome to the Forum! And also thank you for your service!!

This is really great info you shared, happy to have here!

 

[Xxray]

I have a feeling there is more to this story than what we have been told.

Steve

Or less ,,,

 

[itsaring!]

Maybe he's in jail for not paying the fine and digging on sacred ground. Lol

If he's in jail, which is possible in Atlanta, he could probably use Tom's $100 about now. Good thing about County lock up, when you get out you don't care as much about sand spurs when you get out. And can hide a Lesche digger like nobody's business.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

If he's in jail, which is possible in Atlanta, ....

MD'ing is a jail-able offense in Atlanta ?

You would *think* that police have bigger fish to fry these days. Like, for example in San Francisco (1.5 hr. north of me), you can walk out of stores with hundreds of dollars of merchandise. And no one will stop you. And those that do such crimes, even *if* they got stopped or faced a consequence, are simply back out on the streets free the next day. The cops no longer even respond to such call-outs. The cops are busy dealing with drug ODs, murders, etc....

So if/when I go md'ing in SF, I can be assured that the "cops have bigger fish to fry", than a geek in the parks with a detector. Doh !

But you're saying that the cops in Atlanta are so bored, that they're going after "evil md'rs" now ?

 

[itsaring!]

MD'ing is a jail-able offense in Atlanta ?

You would *think* that police have bigger fish to fry these days. Like, for example in San Francisco (1.5 hr. north of me), you can walk out of stores with hundreds of dollars of merchandise. And no one will stop you. And those that do such crimes, even *if* they got stopped or faced a consequence, are simply back out on the streets free the next day. The cops no longer even respond to such call-outs. The cops are busy dealing with drug ODs, murders, etc....

So if/when I go md'ing in SF, I can be assured that the "cops have bigger fish to fry", than a geek in the parks with a detector. Doh !

But you're saying that the cops in Atlanta are so bored, that they're going after "evil md'rs" now ?

Tom it may not be in your state? But in some states you can get into a lot of trouble metal detecting and what you find metal detecting. I can't mention what it's about. But one of my friends has been dealing with lawyers for a couple years now over metal detecting in Florida. It can break your bank account. They threatened me and a friend with jail time and a $50'000 fine for hunting for sharks teeth on an abandoned island. I played dumb. My friend tried to prove how smart he was and got wrote a warning citation. He can't step on any island in Florida without fear of a $50,000 fine now.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Tom it may not be in your state? But in some states ....

itsaring, you go on to list dire-things you've heard of (sharks teeth, lawyers, etc...). I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest the following about your examples:

1) In each and every case, was the location and activity (md'ing or teeth-collecting) something that COULD have been looked up ? And as such, the person WOULD HAVE seen the rule (Eg.: "no md'ing"). Right ? If so, then presto : This does not equate to "md'rs should grovel wherever they go". Lest, gasp, jail await them. Instead we/they can merely look up rules and laws (in this wonderful digital age we live in). And if it doesn't say "no md'ing", then : Not disallowed. And ...no jail, no lawyers, no fines, etc..... And all that was accomplished without the need to swat hornet's nests.

2) But if I'm wrong, and the "dire examples" you cite were at mundane benign locations, where there was no specific rule (and they were roughed up for "disturbing/altering" or "harvest/collecting"), then here's what I have to say about that :

There will ALWAYS be fluke examples of over-zealous cops, that take-someone to the cleaners for something as silly as jay-walking , etc.... I mean for example : I have a newspaper clipping of a guy that got a ticket for eating a hamburger while driving (I think the cop called it "distracted driving"). And I'm sure if we scour the newspaper headlines long enough, we can find stories of persons "roughed up" (tickets, jail, confiscations) for nothing but a tail-light out. SURE ! But notice that none of us fears driving. Why ? Because we recognize such stories as "flukes"

I'm not saying to "throw caution to the wind". My aim is more that : The solution to any such "dire stories" is NOT to run around seeking express blessings, sanctions, permissions, etc... (where there was never specific rule in the first place). Because then sure as heck, someone's gonna answer the "pressing question" with a "no". Or invent a rule to address the pressing-issue.

3) And regarding the "flukes" potential above ^^ If and when some individual rangers DO "rough up" and focus all their time and energy on "this evil activity" (at some place that might have SEEMED benign), then : I have a sneaking suspicion of what caused that individual ranger to be so up-in-arms zealous about our particular activity. Care to take a guess ? And no, it was not "holes". And no, it was not archie concerns.

 

[itsaring!]

itsaring, you go on to list dire-things you've heard of (sharks teeth, lawyers, etc...). I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest the following about your examples:

1) In each and every case, was the location and activity (md'ing or teeth-collecting) something that COULD have been looked up ? And as such, the person WOULD HAVE seen the rule (Eg.: "no md'ing"). Right ? If so, then presto : This does not equate to "md'rs should grovel wherever they go". Lest, gasp, jail await them. Instead we/they can merely look up rules and laws (in this wonderful digital age we live in). And if it doesn't say "no md'ing", then : Not disallowed. And ...no jail, no lawyers, no fines, etc..... And all that was accomplished without the need to swat hornet's nests.

2) But if I'm wrong, and the "dire examples" you cite were at mundane benign locations, where there was no specific rule (and they were roughed up for "disturbing/altering" or "harvest/collecting"), then here's what I have to say about that :

There will ALWAYS be fluke examples of over-zealous cops, that take-someone to the cleaners for something as silly as jay-walking , etc.... I mean for example : I have a newspaper clipping of a guy that got a ticket for eating a hamburger while driving (I think the cop called it "distracted driving"). And I'm sure if we scour the newspaper headlines long enough, we can find stories of persons "roughed up" (tickets, jail, confiscations) for nothing but a tail-light out. SURE ! But notice that none of us fears driving. Why ? Because we recognize such stories as "flukes"

I'm not saying to "throw caution to the wind". My aim is more that : The solution to any such "dire stories" is NOT to run around seeking express blessings, sanctions, permissions, etc... (where there was never specific rule in the first place). Because then sure as heck, someone's gonna answer the "pressing question" with a "no". Or invent a rule to address the pressing-issue.

3) And regarding the "flukes" potential above ^^ If and when some individual rangers DO "rough up" and focus all their time and energy on "this evil activity" (at some place that might have SEEMED benign), then : I have a sneaking suspicion of what caused that individual ranger to be so up-in-arms zealous about our particular activity. Care to take a guess ? And no, it was not "holes". And no, it was not archie concerns.

All i am going to say is, I live in a State where you can find things important people want more than you do. And can put you through hell trying to get it.

 

[RealJeep]

It's really very simple. Just know the rules/laws before you start digging.

• You can't be on or dig in private property without permission from the landowner. (Common sense) In Tennessee you'll get shot.
• ALL Federal, State and many Municipal Parklands are off limits to any kind of digging. On National Park Service lands, they take an especially dim view of any kinds of any disruption of the natural environment and yes, you will face federal fines and citations. Do NOT confuse National Parks with National Forests, know the difference.
• Know where you're going before you go! Most all states have a property appraiser website that shows property lines and ownerships. There are even hunting and hiking apps for a nominal fee that show you EXACTLY where you are on your phone or GPS.
• If you screw up and are confronted by law enforcement know your rights and don't be an ass. Plead ignorance and they'll just move you along. LEO's don't have time for that silliness. Caveat: If you're on National Park land, EXPECT to be cited and fined. You should have known better.
• If confronted by Wildlife Officers on state land don't try to game them. (You shouldn't be on state land without permission anyhow) They have heard all the excuses and how you act will determine your outcome.
• NO AGENCY will confiscate your equipment without a receipt! I have confiscated plenty of fireworks on National Forest land and had to itemize every firecracker and give the offender a receipt. They were allowed to retrieve said fireworks after coming by the office.
• Something about the original post seems to be a bit fishy but I'll chime in none the less.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

..... ALL Federal, State and many Municipal Parklands are off limits to any kind of digging. .....

RealJeep , regarding the prohibition of digging ^ ^, you say : You say "many" municipal. I would suggest to you, that it's *ALL* . Not "many". Because there's not a single muni park, in the entire USA, where you can't find some boiler plate language about alter, deface, molest, injure, dig, remove, or .... something to that effect.

Ok, so if you insert that into your sentence above (so now we've got all municipals), then notice that now we've crossed off all parks @ ANY level. Whether federal, state, county, muni, etc.... Because guaranteed, you will find verbiage that can be construed to mean and say that. In fact, it won't *only* be in "parks" or "parklands", it will be in/on every speck of public land in the entire USA. Yes, even forests, deserts, etc.... It's always there, in some form of wording, buried in the minutia.

HOWEVER, if you take a quick look at the show & tell section of this, or any md'ing forum, you notice that there are SCORES of md'rs showing their most recent finds from various parks, beaches, forests, deserts, school yards, etc.... Right ? Ok, so how do you think they're doing it ? How are we all detecting on public land (and yes, digging up our targets) and it's apparently a total non-issue ? What's going on ?