Well, lucky enough i have never been confronted with any curious kids with guns... but If it ever should happen (and i'm pretty sure it will) i'm hoping my Press ID and a serious story (e.g.: i'm doing a story on abandoned buldings and am here only for research purposes) may help me out.

Its like Lasso said. If your not a teen and your an adult wearing the right kind of gear then they might out right leave you alone especially if you don't hide yourself.

I went to an abandoned factory and parked my car in plain sign of the road was wearing a photographers vest had my camera and climbing helmet as i know the age of the building meant there could be danger from above. A patrol car drove by then entered the parking lot just as i was getting my gear from the back of the car. They had a look at me, i waved and they left.

An other thing that i have tried and works is calling up the owners of the property and claim to be a prospective buyer. Once they even told me where to find the Key to get inside and dint even bother to be on site during my little exploration.

Iv been out of the whole exploration for a few years now (had kids) but now that there getting a bit older and that my exploration doesn't conflict with my job im going to get back into it very shortly.

So moral of all this is if you look like your supposed to be there cops wont give it a second thought. Unless im wrong but ferris209 would have to clarify for me on that one if its true.

To put it mildly your luck sucks. But try to use your experience as a learning tool. Even the times i was caught I added those experiences to my mental list on the sites i was exploring. I got a feel for the cops in the area and also was able to talk to the officers and learn information on the place that i wouldnt have known prior. At the time though, i was pretty damn nervous. Ah, to be young again!

We were in a watch factory and we made the mistake of parking ACROSS the street from from it. We were in for 4 hours. When we came out, there were four cops cars there around our car. They'd searched the building for 2 hours and handn't found us But we walked up to them with smiles and cameras and explained what were were doing and said sorry. One of the cops was super hyper cos he'd always wanted to go in, that cop went exploring with us the next weekend

I say just buy an old Police Cruiser at an auction and leave the spotlight and crap on it, then you look like a rent-a-cop checking in on a building lol

I say just buy an old Police Cruiser at an auction and leave the spotlight and crap on it, then you look like a rent-a-cop checking in on a building lol



?why didnt i ever think of that all these years? Ah wait i can totally see that backfiring on me in a bad way.

Cops are good at spotting imitators, CTDOT allots plate numbers specifically for fleet vehicles, all state cop cars, except undercovers, share the same plate series. You'll still have civilian plates on a cop car, you might fool an average Joe, but not a real cop.

I guess next time instead of my "lol" after a sarcastic statement I will make sure to put "/sarcastic statement" =)

Just this past Saturday I had a rather positive experience with the Police Department. It was a rather gloomy and rainy day, so I figured what better time to go out and explore one of my favorite spots in the Twin Cities. I just finished my exploration, so as I walk up the embankment decked out in my soaking wet hip-waders and head lamp still on who do I see, but the MPD. Instead of acting guilty I simply walked right up to the officers and inquired as to the quality of their day. They were obviously searching for one of the infamous squatter/hobos in the area, but, nonetheless, reciprocated my inquiry. They simply asked what I was up to to which I replied, "just checking out the beauty of the area and taking some pictures." We continued our conversation on the history of the mill district for several minutes. The conversation couldn't of been more pleasant. It actually left me with a rather large smile on my face thinking that we (UE) aren't public enemy number one. Just be honest and friendly and I think the results will be much more positive.

Posted by Durdan so where are the pics?

Just realized I haven't posted them here on UER yet.

Posted by TheVicariousVadder Cops are good at spotting imitators, CTDOT allots plate numbers specifically for fleet vehicles, all state cop cars, except undercovers, share the same plate series. You'll still have civilian plates on a cop car, you might fool an average Joe, but not a real cop.

You're quite simply a veritable cornucopia of useful and interesting knowledge.

Posted by Lasso Helps to not be a teenager and be an adult that looks like he or she knows what he's doing too lol... Case in point: If people see this guy wandering around an abandoned building, they probably will correctly assume he's just there to take photos: http://adventure4e...ver/frits500px.jpg

Another excellent point. I have ocassionally dressed for a daytime explore; blazer, etc - and at my age, people always assume I'm a professional, and I am more than happy to engage them in a conversation of omission. Carry a nice camera bag (no backpacks), etc. Never been hassled, and have even been helped like this.

I also think it's a bit easier for women in general.

The downside of my age; were I to get busted in a nighttime explore, they'd probably now think I'm mentally unstable.

I also think it's a bit easier for women in general.

why does that not surprise me at all ;)

I think my gender has worked in my favor often too. I guess women just look more innocent in general. And if we get questioned it is so much easier to play on a cop's sympathies or pretend to be a ditzy girl who doesn't know better. ;)

yes.

Posted by Moroko So moral of all this is if you look like your supposed to be there cops wont give it a second thought. Unless im wrong but ferris209 would have to clarify for me on that one if its true.

I agree with this, looking suspicious is being suspicious, looking like you belong is belonging.

That is my pearl of wisdom for the day. Thank-you.

Posted by Lackluster Lake Lurker Just this past Saturday I had a rather positive experience with the Police Department. It was a rather gloomy and rainy day, so I figured what better time to go out and explore one of my favorite spots in the Twin Cities. I just finished my exploration, so as I walk up the embankment decked out in my soaking wet hip-waders and head lamp still on who do I see, but the MPD. Instead of acting guilty I simply walked right up to the officers and inquired as to the quality of their day. They were obviously searching for one of the infamous squatter/hobos in the area, but, nonetheless, reciprocated my inquiry. They simply asked what I was up to to which I replied, "just checking out the beauty of the area and taking some pictures." We continued our conversation on the history of the mill district for several minutes. The conversation couldn't of been more pleasant. It actually left me with a rather large smile on my face thinking that we (UE) aren't public enemy number one. Just be honest and friendly and I think the results will be much more positive.

Just what I've been preaching for years. Good job!

Honestly, I've never sat at briefing and heard anyone say "Man, I'm gonna go roll some trespassers today!!!" No, 99.9% of us DO NOT CARE about explorers, just the thugs and dopers that happen to wonder about the same places explorers do.

The only way we'd even think about hunting down simple trespassers is if there is actually a complaint from a property owner or a nosey citizen. Even then, I dunno how much into anybody I know would be.

Yeah, just be cool, honest, and polite and it'll usually work out.

I'm glad when I hear stories like this, some explorers are just way too paranoid.

If i trusted my ability to stay safe in stilettos, I'd love to get caught exploring in a skirt and heels. I can only imagine the cops reaction as I emerge. Perhaps he'd brush me off as a dumb girl not worthy of the paperwork. Either way it would make for great dinner conversation.

Posted by Shaya222 If i trusted my ability to stay safe in stilettos, I'd love to get caught exploring in a skirt and heels. I can only imagine the cops reaction as I emerge. Perhaps he'd brush me off as a dumb girl not worthy of the paperwork. Either way it would make for great dinner conversation.

Plan on 'splorin in Texas?!?!?

I have a tendency to come across as being very gay
ops don't hassle me because of it, they assume I'm too girly to be a gangster/heroin addict