Relations between geocachers and law enforcement

Joined: 2009-06-05 Posts: 2119 Location: Menominee, MI

Over the past few years, there has been bomb scares involving geocaches as well as many incidents of geocachers being perceived as suspicious characters and having run ins with local law enforcement.

What would you do to work with local law enforcement to help them be more aware of geocaching?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 6:33 pm

This is a very good question Todd300, thanks for asking it of the candidates. I feel we should try for a better relationship and understanding of geocaching within local law enforcement and the communities. I know some areas in the U.S. have done like a course/orientation about geocaching and it worked well. The issue I think would be finding the time and resources to do so. I think it is a valid topic for the board members to discuss though. I know on numerous outings I've been questioned by the local authorities on what I was doing.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:50 pm

Education and communication! I feel that this is not only something that the BOD can talk about, but also local experienced cachers can help aid in the understanding of what geocaching is with the local law enforcement.

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:31 pm

I'd like to see not only the BOD have a good relationship with the Law Enforcement agencies in the area but see if when there are events in the area, see what we could do to have a L.E.O. stop by and interact with us to see that we aren't scary terroroists.

The brochure that was created years ago was a great idea towards working together. This subject would be a great idea for a subcommittee to look for WGA members that would be interested in helping to keep a strong, local relationship with the police. The BOD aren't the only voices for geocaching in the state.

Every interaction I have had with Law Enforcement has gone very well when I took time to explain my actions.

CITOs are high profile events that could be a great place to offer up a visit by the L.E.O. to show the good we do.

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:48 pm

One of my fondest memories of geocaching was a time in Illinois when geocaching in a Nature Preserve, when a LEO stopped us thinking we were there to steal firewood .. really, I drove to Illinois to get wood? He ended up walking away shaking his head thinking we were crazy.

At the Waukesha JanBoree yesterday, one of our winter friendly hide locations was at the various fire stations around town. If you want to increase awareness of geocaching .. talk about a way to do it. Okay, so they did not quite get the "hide" the container, leaving them well out in the open, the geocachers were greeted as they arrived to find the caches. It went along way in making the fire staff aware of our game and several got involved I later learned, traveling between the stations checking out what was in the caches .. lol.

It is making the personal connections and explaining the game with the LEO's as well as geocachers properly labeling their containers so if they are accidently found it does not cause the high level concern an unmarked container would.

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:47 pm

Unlike so many others I don't really have some kind of crazy LEO story. But getting proper permission when placing geocaches is so important. And respecting the property owner's right to say no or dictate the way their property is used is not only the rules but also just a good idea. And when we go out looking for geocaches we need to be respectful so as not to give geocaching a bad name. This past weekend I played a part in hiding geocaches for the Waukesha Janboree and spent time calling around getting permission. It was great getting advice from AuntieNae as she's done this before and had great tips on how to talk to property owners. I think it would be best to be honest with Law Enforcement or park officials so that they can understand what we are doing and how this can be a benefit to everyone. Education is often the key as people often are wary of things that they don't understand.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:14 am

The first thing to remember is that we do seem suspicious. When it comes to law enforcement officers, there job is to question that which is outside the normal behaviors to make sure there is nothing wrong.

Most of the truly unfortunate experiences with LEO's have been the result of someone else reporting strange behavior to the cops. The only way to stop that would be to stop placing caches in populated areas, and that's a bad idea.

I've spread the word of geocaching to many a law enforcement officer. Some have been friends, others were cops that I ran into while caching. Once, the geocaching talk even got me out of a speeding ticket in a school zone.