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UER Forum > UE Main > Police Experiences? (Viewed 12098 times)
gahdamnchi 


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watch your step...

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Police Experiences?
< on 2/24/2017 5:49 PM >
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Hey has anyone here had any police experiences? I'm a bit skeptical about exploring although I have a strong interest in it. I've explored many places now but I'm only 16 and my parents don't know I partake in these activities. What's the best way to get out of an arrest or charges?




why not be close to death? as long as you don't poke the bear.
Lachy 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 1 on 2/24/2017 6:15 PM >
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Either tell your parents or don't go, but most of the time minors get less legal punishment if they are just trespassing.




Steed 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 2 on 2/24/2017 6:25 PM >
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Posted by gahdamnchi
What's the best way to get out of an arrest or charges?


Be underage.




gahdamnchi 


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watch your step...

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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 3 on 2/24/2017 6:35 PM >
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Posted by Steed


Be underage.


I've heard mixed things but do you think cops are more lenient with minors? If all I have on me is my camera and a respirator.




why not be close to death? as long as you don't poke the bear.
KD20 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 4 on 2/24/2017 8:16 PM >
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This is dependent on so many things: what you're doing, what you have with you, your attitude, the location, the police themselves, instructions from the property owner, etc. Other than not getting caught, the best you can do is be compliant without incriminating yourself. Sometimes you'll be charged no matter what but acting like a mature adult goes a long way.

To answer your question, I've only had one experience with the police and it was positive. I was at an abandoned theme park and was approached by two officers while inside the property taking pictures. They asked the usual "what are you doing?" type questions and I explained myself honestly. Then they told me that they had had a report of "vagrants" living on the property and asked if I had seen anyone. I told them I hadn't and then we talked about the history of the park for a little while and they left. I wasn't even asked to leave.




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Cryptomatic 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 5 on 2/24/2017 8:31 PM >
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I second KD20's thoughts. Definitely acting like a mature adult is number one. Plus, make extra sure not to bring any alcohol or such because as sad as it may be, police will be looking at minors more for that kind of thing because they often assume you're going there to party.

I have no idea of your family situation, but depending on how close you are with your parents, you could consider telling them now in a tactful way rather than risking them getting a call from the police if you get caught.

Don't let any of this keep you from exploring if that's really what you want to do!



[last edit 2/24/2017 8:32 PM by Cryptomatic - edited 1 times]

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Aran 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 6 on 2/24/2017 10:26 PM >
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I had the exact experience you are worried about a few years back. I was a high school student living with my parents, and got caught at an old paper mill by the managers of the recycling company scrapping said mill.

They tailed me to my car and took down my licence plate number. After I got home I found out they called the cops when one of them showed up on my front porch. I explained the situation to him, that I was an amateur photographer who didn't mean any harm.

I was respectful, honest, and cooperative with the officer. He told me that the owners accused me of industrial espionage (which is a pretty unusual reaction judging by most explorers' experiences). However, the officer just told me to stay away from the property from then on, and he shook my hand before leaving. All in all, it ended very well for me, with the only consequence being that the paper mill is now closed to me forever.

My parents were not home, so they never found out. I can't tell you how yours will react, but at least with police officers most aren't actively looking to screw you over. Act like a mature, nonthreatening person and they probably won't cause too much trouble for you.

Also, as others have mentioned, your age may make them a bit more lenient, and since they'll be expecting someone belligerent involved with drugs/alcohol/underage sex/vandalism, a polite teen merely taking pictures will probably be a nice change of pace.


At least, that's my two cents.




"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.

mulletcat 


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sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you

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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 7 on 2/24/2017 11:43 PM >
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From my experiences the police just don't want you to get hurt first of all. My first experience was when I was climbing up a large trestle bridge over a valley with a biking path going over top. Some middle age women who thought they were doing the world a great favor by stopping teens from climbing bridges called the cops saying we were smoking weed. After our explore we met an officer at the top of the valley where we put our bikes, he politely asked if we were doing any drugs and we said no. We explained that we were going on a bike trip that day to take some pictures from this bridge and he ends up telling us that he did the same thing when he was a kid. We ended up talking with him for a good 20 mins and he only asked us not to go down there anymore because we could get hurt.

Remember, officers are people too just trying to do their job. If you treat them with respect they will too.




pip lol 


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good and plenty

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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 8 on 2/25/2017 2:42 AM >
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I was caught exploring with a buddy by the police once. We also happened to a be a minors at that time. We were both caught on property heading back to my car. The officer who was on the other side of the fence saw us, and asked us to show him how we got in. We walked over to the hole and proceeded to get off the property and back onto the adjacent church parking lot.

Once on the other side of the fence, he had us put our hands down on the front of his car whilst he asked us some question. I explained that we were only taking pictures. Fortunately he just thought we were stupid and let us go.

The point of all this is, don’t park to close to a location. The officer told us that my car is what made him drive by the property. If you can, find parking that will not draw attention to where you are going to explore.




rosindia 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 9 on 2/25/2017 2:49 AM >
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I photograph quite a few small towns. People get curious, sometimes will call the cops. I am always respectful, give the bare minimum of information. I also photograph old cemeteries and places for people who do genealogy research and can't make it to the site themselves. I will explain this to officer and tell them the abandoned place is one of the sites the person requested because their family member worked there.
Usually that helps, and de-escalates the situation....
Always be respectful to a cop. Don't carry anything that can get you arrested or make it look like you be a vandal.




jonrev 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 10 on 2/25/2017 10:46 AM >
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#1 was at Dixie Square Mall in 2010. Was 19, cop saw me drive up and park my car on the concrete pad that was a Woolworth's store. Figured I was another white suburban kid buying drugs until I showed him the camera. Guy lit a smoke and we BS'd for a while before he took off. Was there for the rest of the day without incident. Even drove my car into the mall, afterward.

#2 was in Gary, 2013. My brother and I had just parked and were walking around the exterior of an abandoned school when a Gary Police Reserve rolled around the corner. Dude was straight-up Carl J. Winslow's doppelganger, and a little flustered when we explained what we were doing there, but otherwise cool. Gave us a ride back to the car, then decided to give us a police escort (lights and all for a few miles until he realized they were still on from when he rolled us) across the city to Miller Beach because he thought it would be a good place to take pictures (it was). He suggested I carry business cards, which I do to this day. I saw him again on a later trip at the building behind City Methodist, but he was busy. If I see him again I need to thank him one of these days.


#3 was just a few goddamn hours later. We were in an abandoned supermarket-turned-paintball arena on the outskirts of Gary; I snap a Polaroid, and as soon as I stick the thing in my pocket I hear someone call-out "Gary Police!". Met him in the building - had his gun drawn and all - but he backed down when I flashed my DSLR screen. He saw us parked behind a neighboring building which turned out to be a greasy strip club. Chatted with him for a while, turned out his wife was a photog - so he starts listing all the popular spots we had long already been to. Oh yeah, and he says the cops hate their own PD building - which is converted from (and still attached to) parts of a hospital that's been rotting a good 20 years, now.

#4 was last summer in Waukegan - and not by my own fault yet the reason nobody got arrested that day. Was in the old Johnson Outboards (OMC #1) plant from dawn and was getting ready to leave around noon when I hear Waukegan PD get on their loudspeakers. I wasn't aware they were right outside (thought they were yelling at someone on the beach - a chopper had made a low pass earlier in the morning), so I went about moving toward my exit. Then I notice the gate outside is open and a guy on a motorcycle is guarding it, and realize what's going on.

I put my camera back on the tripod and put on a show until the cops get to my part of the building - revealing myself when they get close, and it turns out my friend is with them playing Beach Ranger for the day. Said-friend is the city's PR-guy and organizes the city's monthly art walk I'm a part of, so I was off the hook and even got to keep the loot I had set aside.

Shortly after we get outside, I find out they were looking for some graffiti kids seen going in (mind you it's a hot-as-balls Sunday morning in July, and the place was literally across the street from the city's busiest beach on Lake Michigan; of course someone - the guy on the bike - saw them and called), and that they had been caught at their car - so I got to sit in a squad for a while and watch them get interrogated before being taken back to my car. Couple months later I actually met one of them at the aforementioned art walk, and recently explored a Chicago spot with him.



[last edit 2/25/2017 7:46 PM by jonrev - edited 3 times]

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Dee Ashley 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 11 on 2/26/2017 8:53 AM >
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Posted by gahdamnchi
[....]
What's the best way to get out of an arrest or charges?


Don't get caught.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
gahdamnchi 


Location: Chicago, IL
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watch your step...

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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 12 on 2/26/2017 8:10 PM >
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Hey. To everyone that responded, I really appreciate it. All of the input for sure helped me calm my nerves.




why not be close to death? as long as you don't poke the bear.
blackhawk 

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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 13 on 2/27/2017 4:03 AM >
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Posted by gahdamnchi
Hey. To everyone that responded, I really appreciate it. All of the input for sure helped me calm my nerves.


Until you get hands on experience you really don't how you'll come off.
You never know how you look through someone else's eyes.
Cops hate being lied to and -never- do anything to make a LEO wary of their safety.
I've talk to dozens of LEOs over the years, most times just being friendly.
As long as you know where the lines are and don't cross them, most LEOs are pretty laid back. I've shot a few with permission too.
Most cops will go out of their way to help you, most are people persons... one of the reasons many became LEOs.

Get on their bad side, they can give you a real bad time. If you get in a jam with them, always be compliant. Do exactly what they tell you to do and never resist arrest even verbally.
Compliance is how they gauge you and your level of compliance will determine in part will determine how they treat you.
No one likes to goof over a good guy...



[last edit 2/27/2017 2:42 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]

Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
gahdamnchi 


Location: Chicago, IL
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watch your step...

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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 14 on 2/27/2017 5:08 PM >
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Posted by blackhawk


Until you get hands on experience you really don't how you'll come off.
You never know how you look through someone else's eyes.
Cops hate being lied to and -never- do anything to make a LEO wary of their safety.
I've talk to dozens of LEOs over the years, most times just being friendly.
As long as you know where the lines are and don't cross them, most LEOs are pretty laid back. I've shot a few with permission too.
Most cops will go out of their way to help you, most are people persons... one of the reasons many became LEOs.

Get on their bad side, they can give you a real bad time. If you get in a jam with them, always be compliant. Do exactly what they tell you to do and never resist arrest even verbally.
Compliance is how they gauge you and your level of compliance will determine in part will determine how they treat you.
No one likes to goof over a good guy...


What is an LEO? But yes, I have encountered police for incidents not regarding urbex and I am comfortable communicating with them.




why not be close to death? as long as you don't poke the bear.
Tomtortoise 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 15 on 2/27/2017 5:14 PM >
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Posted by gahdamnchi


What is an LEO? But yes, I have encountered police for incidents not regarding urbex and I am comfortable communicating with them.



Law Enforcement Officer/Official



[last edit 2/27/2017 5:15 PM by Tomtortoise - edited 1 times]

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gahdamnchi 


Location: Chicago, IL
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watch your step...

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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 16 on 2/27/2017 5:47 PM >
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Posted by Tomtortoise




Law Enforcement Officer/Official


Thanks.




why not be close to death? as long as you don't poke the bear.
TheLostCosmonaut 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 17 on 2/28/2017 1:32 AM >
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Having parents and relatives who are police officers in the area help also.
P.S don't carry lock picks and be really respectful to them and polite. If you are rude and everything to them they will to you. I also think that if you ask someone before like the owner, or police sometimes that can work.




mookster 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 18 on 2/28/2017 3:55 PM >
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The only time I've been close to being arrested was when some jumped up CSX railroad police officer took exception to where we'd parked outside a real shitty factory in Buffalo. He didn't see us come out the building which was lucky but as soon as we saw the SUV near where we'd left the car we knew we'd be pulled over as soon as we left.

Luckily after some trouble running my friend's details through the system he was eventually able to clarify her ID and even luckier it was at the very end of his shift and from his tone when he said he was letting us go with a warning he just couldn't be bothered to drag the actual Buffalo PD down to search us/the car. Had that happened we would have been in fairly big doo-doo thanks to a large bag of a certain illegal 'herb' my friend had in the car...

I've had a few encounters with police in the UK but as simple trespass isn't a criminal offence there isn't much they can do if you haven't stolen anything or caused damage/gone equipped to break in. I've been searched a couple of times now and had a fairly comical accidental encounter when, climbing over the fence of an abandoned football stadium the police rocked up who were engaged in the search for a missing child, thankfully they were more concerned with the missing child rather than a few idiots photographing derelict property.



[last edit 2/28/2017 3:56 PM by mookster - edited 1 times]

splumer 


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Re: Police Experiences?
< Reply # 19 on 3/2/2017 2:13 PM >
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Posted by gahdamnchi


I've heard mixed things but do you think cops are more lenient with minors? If all I have on me is my camera and a respirator.


I'd say so. Plus the fact that you have a camera and a respirator means you're serious and not a tagger or vandal. That said, NEVER have spray paint on you when exploring, or even paint on your fingers or hands, don't have any tools that could be used for breaking and entering, and don't carry weapons. While a weapon might seem like a good idea for protection (been there) the repercussions if you're caught with one far outweigh any benefit. If I feel threatened at a site, I pick up something to use as a weapon.

My one brush with the gendarmes ended fine. I told him I was just taking pictures, and offered to show them to him. He didn't even get out of his car. Of course, me being 40-something, clean-cut and white probably helped.




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