Bio-heat : I think you are starting with an implicit premise that .... somehow ... md'ing is "
confrontational".
Why this starting premise ? If any of us starts with that implied premise, then sure : Grovel away. As if md'ing is harmful, dangerous, reviled, etc.... But since when is that a starting premise ? ( I happen to consider it harmless, safe, and loved.)
Again, this is assuming that somehow what you are doing "needs permission". And thus, cops are *sure* to come up and scrutinize you, blah blah. But why this starting assumption ? Trust me : In this day & age, cops have bigger fish to fry than a geek with a metal detector. So go find that ring your wife lost last night there.
But if you START with an assumption that "everyone is watching me and cops are waiting to bust my chops", then guess what will happen : Your body vibes and persona will reflect a evasive fear. Ie.: you'll be "locking eyes" with a passerbys (with the: "Oh no, does he see me ?" persona). Which will only make the cop think "Gee, what's that guy doing ?". And thus you will simply
fuel your VERY OWN FEARS ! So instead, you "act like you own the place". And no one gives 2 sh#ts about you.
Ok, and since this is an imminent concern, then I'm sure you have examples of someone "getting a ticket" for detecting muni curb strips, where no law exists that disallow md'ing . Right ? Got links ?
If ever anyone can come up with an example of a "ticket for md'ing", it is invariably someone night sneaking obvious historic off-limits monuments. Or someone being obnoxious who can't take a warning, etc....
If you have any examples of someone detecting a curb-strip who "got a ticket", we're all ears. Would love to see the links.