This is why geocachers need to be careful about placing caches....

[+The Worm]

I would think most geocachers have the common sense about where to place caches, but obviously someone didn't.

 

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_..._in_parking_lot

[+Snoogans]

Yawwwwwwn...

[knowschad]

I would think most geocachers have the common sense about where to place caches, but obviously someone didn't.

 

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_..._in_parking_lot

 

Unfortunately, it happens all too frequently. The good news is that this was apparently just a skirt lifter. No love lost there for most of us.

[+Bmxer11]

Snoogans is right.who gives a crap.caches get stolen all the time.

[+Corp Of Discovery]

Here's a link to the cache. We were there just a week ago doing a little night caching. Had no problems at that time...

[+mfamilee]

I would think most geocachers have the common sense about where to place caches, but obviously someone didn't.

This could easily happen anywhere (and does), not just in parking lots.

 

I think law enforcement should have more common sense about the hobby of geocaching.

[knowschad]

Here's a link to the cache. We were there just a week ago doing a little night caching. Had no problems at that time...

 

Upon reading the logs, it appears that it was not an LPC, right?

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

I would think most geocachers have the common sense about where to place caches, but obviously someone didn't.

This could easily happen anywhere (and does), not just in parking lots.

 

I think law enforcement should have more common sense about the hobby of geocaching.

 

Methinks YOU should make it YOUR challenge to teach all the cops about geocaching. Come on, most of the world is not aware of it, ignorant, or just plain................ whatever you may call it........ but to sit there and make this comment, duh.

 

Sorry, I am a retired trooper, and knew nothing about geocaching until 12 yrs after retirement. And whose fault is that........ certainly not mine! It's their job to respond to a call, not knowing anything about what it's all about until the investigate it. Some seemingly innocent-looking things aren't quite innocent. The cops around here know about it, most probably because of me. Now, it's YOUR turn.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Not trying to be snooty with the above submission. I do agree that we all need to promote geocaching, and be careful in the placement and activity itself.

 

Found a cache the other day, near a ballfield, It looked for all it's worth like a pipebomb. Be careful when you construct a cache container, looks mean a lot, but it isn't everything.

 

I'll stop now, before my negativity shows further.

[+gof1]

I would think most geocachers have the common sense about where to place caches, but obviously someone didn't.

This could easily happen anywhere (and does), not just in parking lots.

 

I think law enforcement should have more common sense about the hobby of geocaching.

 

So, this one looks like it was investigated and found harmless. I don't see anything that says it was blown up. I don't see anything about someone being threatened with arrest or civil action to recoup costs. A suspicious package was checked out and found to be safe. Seems like it was handled well.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

 

So, this one looks like it was investigated and found harmless. I don't see anything that says it was blown up. I don't see anything about someone being threatened with arrest or civil action to recoup costs. A suspicious package was checked out and found to be safe. Seems like it was handled well.

 

Excellent comment.......... now if the news people didn't need that filler for their program..........

[+gof1]

I don't see a problem with the news covering it. think about it from the pov of a driver who was in the area and saw the Bomb Squad deploying in that parking lot. What would you think if you didn't see it on the news? I'd rather see it reported as a harmless mistake than left as a fog of doubt.

[CoyoteRed]

Just hope some city, county, or state big-wig don't take up the call to "do something about it." You'll have a fight on your hands.

[+Snoogans]

I would think most geocachers have the common sense about where to place caches, but obviously someone didn't.

This could easily happen anywhere (and does), not just in parking lots.

 

I think law enforcement should have more common sense about the hobby of geocaching.

 

Methinks YOU should make it YOUR challenge to teach all the cops about geocaching. Come on, most of the world is not aware of it, ignorant, or just plain................ whatever you may call it........ but to sit there and make this comment, duh.

 

Sorry, I am a retired trooper, and knew nothing about geocaching until 12 yrs after retirement. And whose fault is that........ certainly not mine! It's their job to respond to a call, not knowing anything about what it's all about until the investigate it. Some seemingly innocent-looking things aren't quite innocent. The cops around here know about it, most probably because of me. Now, it's YOUR turn.

 

Street cops are a middle man. We need to educate Bomb Squads about the activity and the various listing services, so they can save the resources when it's prudent to do so.

 

They're still gonna blow up caches and chalk it up to OJT. You can bet on that. I certainly would if I was on a bomb squad. Send the noob out and:

 

Edited August 8, 2009 by Snoogans

[+Stunod]

Sorry, I am a retired trooper, and knew nothing about geocaching until 12 yrs after retirement.

 

This quote would make more sense if geocaching was at least 12 years old.

[+Jeepster++]

Sorry, I am a retired trooper, and knew nothing about geocaching until 12 yrs after retirement.

That's because Geocaching didn't exist while you were employed as a trooper.

 

Edit: oops, beat me to it.

Edited August 8, 2009 by Jeepster++

[Dj Storm]

I found this report of an incident that happened 75 years ago: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/opinion/...gust5.html?_r=1 (the second story, from 1934). Very few details, but what struck me is the level of "under-reaction" it caused. Then I noticed that over the years, because of reports of over-reactions, the level of normal-reaction I expect now is higher than what I expected 10 or 20 years ago.

[gojkgo]

Yikes! We've done that cache!!

What's ironic is that I remember thinking at the time it was well-placed for a suburban LPC. It's in a stretch of retail-wonderland along one of the busiest streets in the area, in which the buildings are set back from the street with large parking lots between the street and the buildings. In this particular location, there is parking along the side of the building as well, and that's where this was placed. No windows looking out over this part of the parking lot, making it easier to be stealthy. We spent a few hours caching up and down this street a while back and I have to say, I felt the least suspicious-looking doing this one. I think it's totally unfair to blame the COs for this. Actually, I think it's an unfortunately situation in which no one is to blame, unless the person hunting for the cache was acting in an extraordinarily strange and suspicious manner - even for a geocacher. The police did their jobs. So did the bomb squad.

[CoyoteRed]

I want to know how anyone doesn't look suspicious milling around cars while geocaching. Folks are paranoid enough as it is concerning folks breaking into cars. Then add a geocacher. Yeah, I can see how this got called in.

[+Sagefox]

I want to know how anyone doesn't look suspicious milling around cars while geocaching. Folks are paranoid enough as it is concerning folks breaking into cars. Then add a geocacher. Yeah, I can see how this got called in.

 

Man, you said it. Whether LPC or even worse, a pill bottle in the bush where we have to creep around low among the cars, parking lot caches are not much fun. It helps to be with a group and be too obvious to look like a prowler situation.

[+Col. Flagg]

I completely agree with the OP, I think his point is being missed. GET PERMISSION. I think cachers place urban caches with a huge grain of salt. A lot don't get permission(yes I know that they are published with the understanding that the cacher has gotten permission, but have run into several not nice property owners that had no clue about the cache placed on their property), they take it for granted that the public is allowed here so they just place it. I for one like when caches post a note, "don't worry owner knows it's there" and so forth, I can look with worry(other than muggles of course). I guess some of you don't care that this is happening, or being in denial about it.

Edited August 8, 2009 by Col. Flagg

[Clan Riffster]

Street cops are a middle man.

Perhaps we need a Snoogans Tree of Cache Destructiveness?

A few tidbits from a street level cop of 20+ years:

 

Street cops are the first responders, and usually set the tone for how these events play out.

 

1 ) BillyBobNosePicker hides a cache.

2 ) BobbyJoeEarWaxDigger searches for the cache.

3 ) Soccer Mom sees BobbyJoe hunting for the cache.

4 ) After BobbyJoe leaves, Soccer Mom investigates, locating a camo taped Tupperware.

5 ) Because of decades of media hysteria, Soccer Mom immediately calls the cops.

6 ) Initial responder, Officer Bubba, arrives and investigates.

7 ) Officer Bubba makes a decision based upon his findings.

7a ) Officer Bubba discovers it's just a box of broken McToys, and clears the call as unfounded.

7b ) Officer Bubba thinks it might be suspicious, and forwards it up the chain of command, to his immediate supervisor.

8 ) Sgt Bubba, (Hey, it's Alabama. Everybody's named Bubba), arrives, and makes a decision.

8a ) Sgt Bubba figures out it's a cache, and teases Officer Bubba.

8b ) Sgt Bubba agrees with Officer Bubba and requests EOD.

 

It's at that point that official protocol is engaged. EOD is gonna show up and render the object safe, based upon their individual policies. Most of these policies are worded to the effect of, "If you can't positively identify the object as harmless from an exterior inspection, blow the sucker up". While a lot of street level cops are not familiar with this game we all love, it's a fair bet that just about everybody within EOD knows about it. That knowledge, while helpful in identifying the shredded remains of a cache, won't stop them from blowing it up.

 

The best way to interrupt the cycle is to hide caches that Soccer Mom is unlikely to find.

That's a pretty tall order, since Soccer Mom gets around quite a bit.

Failing that, the second best way to interrupt the cycle is to educate the first responders.

That's another tall order, since there are about a gazillion of us, and there are more joining/leaving our ranks every day.

[+KBI]

I want to know how anyone doesn't look suspicious milling around cars while geocaching.

The best way to interrupt the cycle is to hide caches that Soccer Mom is unlikely to find.

That's a pretty tall order, since Soccer Mom gets around quite a bit.

Failing that, the second best way to interrupt the cycle is to educate the first responders.

That's another tall order, since there are about a gazillion of us, and there are more joining/leaving our ranks every day.

Exactly.

 

It’s a hazard inherent to the hobby. Heck, it’s a hazard inherent to modern life, period, whether Geocaching exists or not.

 

Parking lots, exercise paths, landscaping, walkways, urban plazas, forests, mountains, valleys, prairies, deserts, lakeshores, parks – any cacher or any cache in any public place can be misconstrued as trouble by an easily alarmed muggle, permission or no permission.

 

Thoughtfulness is vital to cache placement, but when it comes to the more nervous among our species it doesn’t matter how thoughtfully a cache is placed, there is the potential for unnecessary excitement. To avoid this type of scare requires the common sense, cooperation and sanity of all involved: hider, seeker, observer (muggle), investigating official and reporter. All it takes is one sloppy hider OR one clumsy seeker OR one paranoid Gladys Kravitz OR one panicky Barney Fife OR one Geraldo Rivera wannabe. The hapless hider has very limited control.

 

It doesn’t matter where, or how, a cache is placed; someone will eventually figure out a way to let it freak them out and cause a public ruckus. Each cache hider should endeavor to place his cache in such a way as to minimize the likelihood of a scare, but there is no way to eliminate the hazard. Shutting down the entire hobby would not make these stories go away.

[+bittsen]

I laugh at this whole thing. Why? Because if you were going to place a bomb in a parking lot, wouldn't you just put it in the trunk of a car, and NOT under a LP skirt?

 

It's silly for the bomb squad to be called at every suspicious container. There are a LOT easier ways to disguise a bomb than to make it look like a bomb. In fact, I would bet that there were far more bombs discovered that DIDN'T look suspicious.

 

In a parking lot....seriously....wouldn't an evil-doer just use a car?

 

This world is paranoid!

[jholly]

I completely agree with the OP, I think his point is being missed. GET PERMISSION. I think cachers place urban caches with a huge grain of salt. A lot don't get permission(yes I know that they are published with the understanding that the cacher has gotten permission, but have run into several not nice property owners that had no clue about the cache placed on their property), they take it for granted that the public is allowed here so they just place it. I for one like when caches post a note, "don't worry owner knows it's there" and so forth, I can look with worry(other than muggles of course). I guess some of you don't care that this is happening, or being in denial about it.

 

Cachers have had permission to place a cache on private property, the bomb squad still blows them up. It does not matter if it is placed with permission, is in a clear L'n'L or not, if someone calls in a suspicious person and the first responder does not see it for what it is and calls the boys with the bang, it is going to get toasted. They have blown up traffic counters, it is after all very suspicious large metal box chained to a sign post with black rubber tubes coming out of it, can't be to careful you know. One cacher posted about the ammo can they put out in the *desert* hidden by manikin, called in as suspicious and the bomb squad destroyed another ammo can. A amateur radio operator was in the process of moving out of his house. Someone saw his balun in the garage, called the cops about a pipe bomb in the garage. Poor guy shows up about the time the bomb squad does. He told them what it was and that it was harmless. Toast.

 

No, you are the one in denial. If someone drops the dime and the first responder does not, or will not, make the correct assessment then the suspicious package will be some OJT for the bomb squad.

 

Jim

Edited August 8, 2009 by jholly

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Obviously a lose-lose situation. Grin and bear it! I'm going out caching........ 'bye

[+AstroDav]

Sorry, I am a retired trooper, and knew nothing about geocaching until 12 yrs after retirement.

 

This quote would make more sense if geocaching was at least 12 years old.

 

Oops.

[+mr.mudd]

I say any publicity is good publicity. With the help of google, a lot of people probably got introduced to geocaching

[knowschad]

Street cops are a middle man.

Perhaps we need a Snoogans Tree of Cache Destructiveness?

A few tidbits from a street level cop of 20+ years:

 

Street cops are the first responders, and usually set the tone for how these events play out.

 

1 ) BillyBobNosePicker hides a cache.

2 ) BobbyJoeEarWaxDigger searches for the cache.

3 ) Soccer Mom sees BobbyJoe hunting for the cache.

4 ) After BobbyJoe leaves, Soccer Mom investigates, locating a camo taped Tupperware.

5 ) Because of decades of media hysteria, Soccer Mom immediately calls the cops.

6 ) Initial responder, Officer Bubba, arrives and investigates.

7 ) Officer Bubba makes a decision based upon his findings.

7a ) Officer Bubba discovers it's just a box of broken McToys, and clears the call as unfounded.

7b ) Officer Bubba thinks it might be suspicious, and forwards it up the chain of command, to his immediate supervisor.

8 ) Sgt Bubba, (Hey, it's Alabama. Everybody's named Bubba), arrives, and makes a decision.

8a ) Sgt Bubba figures out it's a cache, and teases Officer Bubba.

8b ) Sgt Bubba agrees with Officer Bubba and requests EOD.

 

It's at that point that official protocol is engaged. EOD is gonna show up and render the object safe, based upon their individual policies. Most of these policies are worded to the effect of, "If you can't positively identify the object as harmless from an exterior inspection, blow the sucker up". While a lot of street level cops are not familiar with this game we all love, it's a fair bet that just about everybody within EOD knows about it. That knowledge, while helpful in identifying the shredded remains of a cache, won't stop them from blowing it up.

 

The best way to interrupt the cycle is to hide caches that Soccer Mom is unlikely to find.

That's a pretty tall order, since Soccer Mom gets around quite a bit.

Failing that, the second best way to interrupt the cycle is to educate the first responders.

That's another tall order, since there are about a gazillion of us, and there are more joining/leaving our ranks every day.

 

Can we get a flow chart of that, please?

[knowschad]

I say any publicity is good publicity. With the help of google, a lot of people probably got introduced to geocaching

 

Yup. I'm sure that because of the publicity, there is a maniacal bomb-maker out there right now using his Pay Pal account to order his Official Geocache stickers.

[+bflentje]

I would think most geocachers have the common sense about where to place caches, but obviously someone didn't.

 

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_..._in_parking_lot

 

I finally agree with Snoogans on something... yawn. However, the comments on the article are pretty dadgum funny.

[+gof1]

I say any publicity is good publicity. With the help of google, a lot of people probably got introduced to geocaching

 

Yup. I'm sure that because of the publicity, there is a maniacal bomb-maker out there right now using his Pay Pal account to order his Official Geocache stickers.

 

Do those stickers have a serial number on them? I'm just say'n, you know, in case.

[Clan Riffster]

a maniacal bomb-maker

Whose evil laugh sounds oddly like Sioneva... Just sayin', not judgin'...

[knowschad]

Ya gotta love that word, "maniacal", dontcha?

[+mfamilee]

I think law enforcement should have more common sense about the hobby of geocaching.

Methinks YOU should make it YOUR challenge to teach all the cops about geocaching. Come on, most of the world is not aware of it, ignorant, or just plain................ whatever you may call it........ but to sit there and make this comment, duh.

I'm going to assume you didn't see my 'wink' at the end of that sentence.

 

Now, it's YOUR turn.

Actually did that a couple months back when I was pulled over for speeding on a caching run. He had never heard of the hobby & was very interested. I filled him in on all the basics. He said... 'There has to be some kind of prize in the end, right?' After he handed me my ticket I told him... 'Thanks, looks like this is my prize for the day!

[+Team Badgers]

Hi everyone I am the owner of the cache.

 

Just to give a little details on this cache. First inside was a official geocaching logo that stated this was apart of geocaching and if discovered to check the geocaching website. As well as information of my group and I think but cant remember a email address.

 

This was located in the back of a large parking area where cars wouldn't normalcy park. This parking area is huge. Bigger then a local grocery store parking lot. I think once or twice I seen one of the local business vans parked near there. But for the most part there were hardly any cars near by. It was a ideal spot for a person to park there car near the post and open there door and recover the cache with out anyone noticing. A few months prior to placing the cache in the lamp post there was a series cache that was about 40 or 50 yards away in a cap of a fence post. So this area was familiar to cachers.

 

I appreciate the support of those that wrote in and said this is apart of caching. I feel badly that this turned into what it did. I respect the local law enforcement and after 9/11 everyone is still on the edge. I think it was handled with the best of the ability of the officers.

 

If there was anything inappropriate about this cache the local reviewer would have contacted me and informed me to make changes or move it. Its one of those caches you would have to seen it to understand what it was about.

 

The container was a sealed tub a ware container. With camo tape added on the outside. It was originally designed to be a outdoor , hidden in the woods cache. When I came across this location it was just way to good of a spot to leave.

 

Hindsight I will make sure my caches are clearly marked on the outside the intentions of it. Even though I think this event would have happen regardless if it was marked.

 

Thank you for your support, and thank you to the cachers that have made this location a great place and time for my family.

 

I love our sport, and I love the members. We are a rare and interesting group.

 

Looking forward to seeing you all in the field.

 

~Nathan (Blue)

 

Team Hookah

[+bittsen]

Hi everyone I am the owner of the cache.

 

Just to give a little details on this cache. First inside was a official geocaching logo that stated this was apart of geocaching and if discovered to check the geocaching website. As well as information of my group and I think but cant remember a email address.

 

This was located in the back of a large parking area where cars wouldn't normalcy park. This parking area is huge. Bigger then a local grocery store parking lot. I think once or twice I seen one of the local business vans parked near there. But for the most part there were hardly any cars near by. It was a ideal spot for a person to park there car near the post and open there door and recover the cache with out anyone noticing. A few months prior to placing the cache in the lamp post there was a series cache that was about 40 or 50 yards away in a cap of a fence post. So this area was familiar to cachers.

 

I appreciate the support of those that wrote in and said this is apart of caching. I feel badly that this turned into what it did. I respect the local law enforcement and after 9/11 everyone is still on the edge. I think it was handled with the best of the ability of the officers.

 

If there was anything inappropriate about this cache the local reviewer would have contacted me and informed me to make changes or move it. Its one of those caches you would have to seen it to understand what it was about.

 

The container was a sealed tub a ware container. With camo tape added on the outside. It was originally designed to be a outdoor , hidden in the woods cache. When I came across this location it was just way to good of a spot to leave.

 

Hindsight I will make sure my caches are clearly marked on the outside the intentions of it. Even though I think this event would have happen regardless if it was marked.

 

Thank you for your support, and thank you to the cachers that have made this location a great place and time for my family.

 

I love our sport, and I love the members. We are a rare and interesting group.

 

Looking forward to seeing you all in the field.

 

~Nathan (Blue)

 

Team Hookah

 

I have decided that any cache I place thats bigger than a film canister will have the following label, just to make sure there are no calls to the authorities.

 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2009 by bittsen

[+mfamilee]

I have decided that any cache I place thats bigger than a film canister will have the following label, just to make sure there are no calls to the authorities.

The 1st thing they will probably notice is the word BOMB & out come the robots to play.

 

Better make the NOT a lot bigger.

[+hudsonfam]

Just found this great video on YouTube:

 

Where NOT to hide a geocache.

[+bittsen]

I have decided that any cache I place thats bigger than a film canister will have the following label, just to make sure there are no calls to the authorities.

The 1st thing they will probably notice is the word BOMB & out come the robots to play.

 

Better make the NOT a lot bigger.

 

It was a joke.

[+mr.mudd]

I say any publicity is good publicity. With the help of google, a lot of people probably got introduced to geocaching

 

Yup. I'm sure that because of the publicity, there is a maniacal bomb-maker out there right now using his Pay Pal account to order his Official Geocache stickers.

 

I see, well maybe we should just require a criminal background check, a psych eval, and a 7 day waiting period for the purchase of Geocache stickers

[+mfamilee]

I have decided that any cache I place thats bigger than a film canister will have the following label, just to make sure there are no calls to the authorities.

The 1st thing they will probably notice is the word BOMB & out come the robots to play.

Better make the NOT a lot bigger.

It was a joke.

Ditto

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

I see, well maybe we should just require a criminal background check, a psych eval, and a 7 day waiting period for the purchase of Geocache stickers

Why not, that seems to be working so well with gun control!

 

Adequate permission won't stop cache investigations, but it will go a long way toward that end.

 

no need to post about the ones that had permission and got blown anyway, it's going to happen.