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Looking for something new and frustrated at not being able to get into a church or two theaters because of good security, I decided to walk into the Odessa Police Department and see if they could help. I explained to them what I wanted to do and after some really weird looks a detective was summoned. I again explained that I was an urban explorer and what I was looking for. He asked me a question I knew was loaded, "So where have you been so far?". I knew better than to answer that question and simply said that I may or may not have explored a few hotels, an auto parts store and a house or two.
He warmed up a bit and told me about this place. I was not prepared for what came next. The location was exactly where he described and I was excited as industrial sites like this are not very common. Entry was easy and I hit the offices 1st, then a warehouse with a weird green glow. Next came all of the pipes and industrial goods. I even managed to have the shit scared out of me by a barn owl and I got to say hello to a porcupine!
I spent almost an entire hour in this place and didnt even cover 1/4 or it. I doubt I'll have time to go back this trip but its a must see next time I'm out here. There's an entire refinery that this place connects to thats abandoned!
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I would have never thought going to the police to find locations would end well, but by the looks of the place they told you about, I'm almost tempted to go ask my local PD. I'm surprised they would have asked a loaded question like that but still told you where another abandonment is.
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I always talk to cops about abandonments. A few weeks ago I actually had one give me a police escort (lights and siren) to a site and he showed me how to get in!
This morning I asked 4 cops having coffee in Chic-Fil-A about abandoned buildings in Midland. They told me about 3 and one got on his phone and showed me the door to go through! I ended up buying them all a chicken biscuit.
As long as you explain that you are just there to take pictures and dont want to disturb anything they have always been cool. I tell them I'm writing a book on abandoned places and that usually puts them at ease. Cops know where all the best places are, what security measures are in place, things to watch out for (homeless people, dogs, druggies and gangs) and even POE's. Just be cool and they'll be cool.
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Posted by Peptic Ulcer
I always talk to cops about abandonments. A few weeks ago I actually had one give me a police escort (lights and siren) to a site and he showed me how to get in!
This morning I asked 4 cops having coffee in Chic-Fil-A about abandoned buildings in Midland. They told me about 3 and one got on his phone and showed me the door to go through! I ended up buying them all a chicken biscuit.
As long as you explain that you are just there to take pictures and dont want to disturb anything they have always been cool. I tell them I'm writing a book on abandoned places and that usually puts them at ease. Cops know where all the best places are, what security measures are in place, things to watch out for (homeless people, dogs, druggies and gangs) and even POE's. Just be cool and they'll be cool.
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Clearly you have never explored outside of the south if you think that.
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I know for Houston an organization called the department of neighborhoods is responsible for lawfully attempting to demolish abandoned buildings that are known to cause problems. In an article I read (will cite below) it claims they have a database of 9,010 buildings. Unfortunately it is not public and I have no idea how one would go about obtaining access, but am open to suggestions. As far as police departments I sometimes see "Affidavit on file with HPD" spray painted on buildings. I looked it up later and it means that the property owners have filed the paperwork to allow police officers to enter the building at any time and arrest anyone on the premises for any and all laws they may have broken as they see fit. This is also not a matter of public record to my knowledge but I would love to see that database of buildings too.
Link to referenced article
http://abc13.com/archive/7265543/
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Posted by theduckling
I know for Houston an organization called the department of neighborhoods is responsible for lawfully attempting to demolish abandoned buildings that are known to cause problems. In an article I read (will cite below) it claims they have a database of 9,010 buildings. Unfortunately it is not public and I have no idea how one would go about obtaining access, but am open to suggestions. As far as police departments I sometimes see "Affidavit on file with HPD" spray painted on buildings. I looked it up later and it means that the property owners have filed the paperwork to allow police officers to enter the building at any time and arrest anyone on the premises for any and all laws they may have broken as they see fit. This is also not a matter of public record to my knowledge but I would love to see that database of buildings too.
Link to referenced article
http://abc13.com/archive/7265543/
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Ah man, I deal with these buildings on a daily basis in south Houston and the coastal region. It all breaks down into taxes and code enforcement at the end of the day. Has the owner of X property paid his taxes? Is he mowing his lawn/keeping in shape with the neighborhood guidelines? Is the building about to fall down due to poor structural integrity? Are there clear signs nonresidents (ie crackheads/prostitutes) are living there?
At some point enough of the list gets checked off and it falls into this 'demo' list. They then have to attempt to contact the owner (this process can take months depending on city/county), then take it to the public (this process can also take forever)... THEN it gets put on this list in most places.
The database gets to a point where most of the building are SO far gone they're an absolute safety risk to enter. At this point the city has taken control of the place, thus the police presence. It's a giant headache to say the least.
Edit: I forgot the whole reason I came to this thread... you're a god, Peptic! Great set and even better story. I may have to start the ole' lunch bribe game with the local gentlemen in blue to dig out some (semi) sanctioned new exploration places.
[last edit 10/30/2015 3:25 AM by Out Moshe - edited 1 times]
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Thanks. Not sure how cops are in other places but yes, down here they seem pretty cool about helping out. Acting professional and courteous no matter where you are can't be a bad thing. They can't arrest you for asking.
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