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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Permitted Exploration (Viewed 15061 times)
Salty Trees 


Location: Utah
Gender: Male
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Re: Asking for permission to explore?
< Reply # 20 on 2/17/2015 3:02 AM >
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Posted by Tomtortoise
I'm wondering how many people have called and asked for permission to explore successfully and have any tips on what to say (and what not to say).


I once emailed the owner of an abandonment for permission, but after three months he didn't reply so I tried again. To this day still no answer...haha



[last edit 2/17/2015 3:02 AM by Salty Trees - edited 1 times]

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Dee Ashley 


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Write something and wait expectantly.

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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 21 on 2/17/2015 3:04 AM >
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I don't recall ever formally asking for permission, but I was at a large local construction site once and the security guard noticed me as I was leaving. Unsure of what to do, I just told him the truth. He was not only willing to overlook my being there, he let me come back whenever I wanted, he even told me what times to be watchful for the developers on site and the best view spots! He even had me show him some light painting tricks (although I often couldn't get much done, so I'd sometimes sneak in anyways)!
I have another favorite massive construction spot currently that has a night security guy that saw me climb to the roof of one of the structures. He had followed me that evening and scared the hell out of me when I saw him standing there. He has been totally cool and initially followed me that night to make sure I wasn't trying to jump off the building!
Anyways, I have since decided that if you can get an "in" with the security guard, the rest is easy.
My roommate was a security guard for a year. Judging from her experiences, I'm guessing, most of these people are just happy to talk to a human for a while. If you really want to make them happy, bring them a smoke and a hot beverage.

Moral of the Story: The security guard can be your greatest ally.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
relik 


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Re: Asking for permission to explore?
< Reply # 22 on 2/17/2015 3:22 AM >
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Posted by Salty Trees


I once emailed the owner of an abandonment for permission, but after three months he didn't reply so I tried again. To this day still no answer...haha


That's usually how it works when it comes to e-mails.




"When it rains, just find bigger drains."
Ganesha 

Former Moderator


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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 23 on 2/17/2015 3:46 AM >
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I merged the Main and Rookie discussions re: asking for permission here, hoping thereby to reduce more confusion than I've created.




"The beauty of mediocrity is that anything can make you better." -Jeff Mallett
Trixie32081 


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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 24 on 3/14/2015 1:49 AM >
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I have been eyeing a beautiful old facility as my explore dream. There is a phone number listed for an emergency contact and skateboarders were doing tricks on the marble outside the entrance, recently blockrd off and limited visibility to street traffic. I feared the building being vandalized instead of just idolized so I called. He thanked me and I brought up that I would love to get pictures from inside before it is damaged and then completely gutted. He was more than happy to arrange a time for me to visit so, I emailed a blogger who will be joining me!




Aran 


Location: Kansas City
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Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 25 on 3/16/2015 1:35 AM >
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I just had a permitted exploration yesterday. While in another town, I came across a two story building. Scaffolding covered the back wall where a large hole had been knocked, and boards covered several ground floor windows. All in all, this looked like a textbook abandonment.

However, I was not quite sure. There were several signs of occupation, including a pickup truck parked out front and the pounding noises periodically coming from within.

I kept an eye on the place throughout the day, before taking yet another perimeter walk. I heard more pounding from around the corner of the building, and walked around to find that it was coming from the pipes, so I dismissed it as old piping in the spring thaw.

Just then, I noticed an open door, with more pounding sounds from within. I poked my head inside, and saw a man with a hammer doing some work on one of the rooms. I asked him if I could take a look around inside, and he said that the owner was in the other room, and that I could go in to talk to him.

I walked into the other room, and met the owner. He was a large, friendly man. I told him I was interested in old, historical structures, and asked if he would mind me walking around and taking pictures. He said that as long as I was careful and didn't mess with anything, he was fine with it.

The main floor was his workshop, but the second floor was not in use. I walked upstairs, and got some cool pictures, which I'll probably post in the next few days.

Moral of the story- some people are pretty cool about it, as long as you are upfront and respectful of them and their property.




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

Cosmic 


Location: Minneapolis / St. Paul
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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 26 on 3/16/2015 7:02 AM >
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Ive been granted permission to a couple places. I got permission for an office buildings roof before too.




FFStudios 


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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 27 on 4/27/2015 2:29 AM >
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There are many times in which an attempt at legal exploration is a good idea. However, depending on who you are dealing with, your diligence must vary. For example, there was a very high profile school in my town that was scheduled to be razed. I sent an e-mail and mailed a letter to the Director of Facilities (whose name was Steve) inquiring about access to the building one last time before it was torn down. My first attempt was fruitless; I never received a response from the guy.

So I waited a few months. And then, once it became certain that demolition would begin in the next year or two, I e-mailed him again. This time I was met with a seven word reply:

"FFStudios,

Call me to arrange access
(***)-***-****

Steve"

We met in the parking lot of the building and he unlocked the front door and disengaged the security system. What he did next was something that astounds me to this day. He looked at me and my friend and said "I've got to go do some work, so feel free to spend as long as you want in the building. Just call me when you're done so I know to come back and lock it up."

He trusted us with complete access to the building for an almost unlimited amount of time. The only trouble we had was a wary neighbor who shouted at us as we ascended onto the roof. After our exploration, I made sure I walked over to where the neighbor was sitting on his porch to explain that I had gotten permission, etc. just to ease his mind. He knew the Director of Facilities personally and even gave me some history on the school, as he had lived next to it for over 30 years. But I can guarantee that nobody else has been in that building since and without that e-mail, we would have never seen the insides.



[last edit 4/27/2015 2:30 AM by FFStudios - edited 1 times]

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CooperArt 


Location: Lansing
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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 28 on 5/10/2015 4:15 PM >
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I tried to get permission for the Plainwell Paper Mill, because it was right next to the police station. (Now the police station is closer to it, and City Hall is inside it.) What I did is I went to City Hall, and asked the receptionist who to ask. She gave me a name, and I never managed to get a hold of the guy. (Now I'm much more dogged and I'd have tried harder, and probably would have gotten permission.) I had answers planned for when I talked to him, for things like: "I know what areas to avoid, the map on the site says these areas are too dangerous to go near, so I won't go near those areas" and so on. "I'm doing this because I'm an artist and I want to record this place for posterity."

She said people ask all the time, and not many people got permission.

I imagine I'm one of the less helpful answers, but that was my one attempt.



[last edit 5/10/2015 4:18 PM by CooperArt - edited 2 times]

ZyK 


Location: Knoxville
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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 29 on 5/12/2015 3:34 AM >
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So a few hours from where I live, there is a HUGE abandoned mental institution. I've heard of people sneaking in and exploring, but complain about not being able to enjoy it as much because of the danger of being caught. I was thinking about how awesome it would be to be able to explore it for a few hours without having to worry about being chased around. This place has no security, only the local police keep an eye on it. Would you guys ever recommend trying to contact the police for a permissive explore? Or do you think I'd get shot down? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try, but I really don't want to go all the way up there just to find out there's a cop hanging outside the entrance to this place.




SuchundFind 


Location: San Antonio, Texas
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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 30 on 5/23/2015 2:59 AM >
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I just sent an email to a judge to be able to visit a former courthouse.
So I will see if this works out and if I can give you any tips on it.

But I asked straight forward and talked a little about the PPE I have and that I am trained to work in such environment.

I don't know if it will work but we will see.




raddhatter 


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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 31 on 6/23/2015 4:45 AM >
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Moral of the Story: The security guard can be your greatest ally.


This brings to mind one memorable, quirky (and only semi-irrelevant) experience I had while browsing rooftops on a college campus. (The recreational complex has a domed/steepled rooftop). The three of us were doing an initial pass-by to get a feel for access when we noticed a guard...a local cop who camped out in the rec complex's parking lot overnight and did a few drive-by patrols. Two things 1) he wasn't a rent-a-cop he was a Mr. Police "Yessir" Officer, ya feel? 2) Since we had caaaasually walked by the first time, we decided to completely bypass him on the way back so as to not draw attention.

We hopped two fences and scrambled our way through a baseball stadium, circled back behind him and the rec complex, and made our way to the roof. It was insanely well lit after dark, our binoculars and dark clothing looked suspicious, and the cop was basically underneath us. Avoiding detection became more fun than it was necessary, and we decided to see how close we could get to him/his car without being conspicuous. Eventually we ditched the rooftops altogether, opting to follow the cop around campus instead. Basically stalking him, we followed him into the student center. Alas! Upon entry, he was no where to be found. For about ten minutes we walked around, inquired to those who were doing some late-night studying, but no one had seen him. On one last whimsical walkabout, we turned a corner and BAM like a brick wall he was there! We felt confronted! Exposed! There he was. Walking out of the bathroom. Where he had been. For the last ten minutes.

I didn't stay long enough to find out if he had lit a match.




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Oakpunk 


Location: Boston, MA
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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 32 on 7/3/2015 6:17 PM >
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My first place I explored before I actually got in I saw a cop sitting around (since it was next to an active school) and just sort of watching both buildings. I decided I'd ask about the place and he was happy to let me know what the general history was.

I asked if it were possible to go inside with permission to take photos and the officer said "maybe, you might have to write a letter". I'll admit, I was lazy and about a week or two later I was on a walk and noticed a small window pane so I took my chance.

Funny enough, they use the space for police practice/training! But that meant that I was reported the second I left and the window sealed. Glad I got to go in though!




rachelmackayy 


Location: east coast
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helllloooo, i take pics sometimes

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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 33 on 7/30/2015 2:54 AM >
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I have gotten permission for a few places. Depending on the place, I would ask the town supervisor. I went to letchworth village in New York and I wanted permission to take photos so I called them and basically said Im a photographer and interested in the place and would love to take pictures. I also said I have one rule 'take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints. I also included that I have respect for the history and property and I was only there for photography.




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EsseXploreR 


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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 34 on 7/30/2015 10:46 AM >
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Posted by rachelmackayy
I went to letchworth village in New York and I wanted permission to take photos so I called them.


Letchworth Village is a park. You don't need permission to shoot there.




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Kurt 


Location: Taxachusetts
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NEVER SAY DEVER!

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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 35 on 7/30/2015 2:58 PM >
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heh




"What is your favorite thing about Belchertown?"

"...the history, man"
mookster 


Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 36 on 7/30/2015 3:26 PM >
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There is a really cool location where I live which has no way inside and is almost definitely alarmed, so I think I'm going to have to give the number on the hand made security posters stuck inside the windows a call. It would appear to be the only way...




rachelmackayy 


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helllloooo, i take pics sometimes

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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 37 on 7/31/2015 11:45 AM >
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Posted by EsseXploreR


Letchworth Village is a park. You don't need permission to shoot there.


No, it is an asylum. if you want to go inside the buildings you need permission.




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Kurt 


Location: Taxachusetts
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NEVER SAY DEVER!

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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 38 on 7/31/2015 2:33 PM >
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Posted by rachelmackayy


No, it is an asylum. if you want to go inside the buildings you need permission.


LOL for a place like letch why bother trying to get permission. If you want to go inside, you just go inside.... And yeah I believe parts are part of a park from what I've heard.




"What is your favorite thing about Belchertown?"

"...the history, man"
mookster 


Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Permitted Exploration
< Reply # 39 on 7/31/2015 3:58 PM >
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Posted by rachelmackayy


No, it is an asylum. if you want to go inside the buildings you need permission.


I don't think you quite grasp the idea of 'urban exploration'.

All the buildings at Letchworth are pretty much wide open and it's trashed as hell, just walk on in there.




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Permitted Exploration (Viewed 15061 times)
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