[AZ-Observing] Re: Bullhead City police have issues with Amateur Astronomy.
- From: <beevo1@xxxxxxx>
- To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2014 11:42:41 -0500
In dealing with the police smart a$$ comments are definitely the wy to make the
encounter go downhill, and quickly at that.
I have to think that as you said, there is more than one side to this story. I
am betting personality was the deciding factor in how the whole event went down.
I have been approached several times in the night by law enforcement.
Only one time it did not go smoothly. I was out in a remote area and wearing a
side arm (for dogs, both 2 and 4 legged). He was uncomfortable with that and I
let him dictate how he wanted to proceed. I was asked to place the weapon in
my car and then we proceeded to conduct business. Ultimately the officer spent
about an hour with me looking at vvarious objects, having a fine time.
Beevo
---- Scott Tannehill <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
=============
Obviously we are getting one side of this story. Is this legit, I wonder?
Perhaps the title should be "Bullhead City police have issues with Amateur
AstronomER"
I have had at about 4-5 late night encounters with law enforcement or related
people in WI and here in AZ over the past 20 years, and never had an issue.
They've all been adamantly curious, that's their job. Abrupt and no-nonsense at
first, but then relax quickly once we demonstrated immediate cooperation, good
nature and politeness and honest purposes. Oh yes, we never trespassed, also.
Most of the time they linger and marvel at what is visible in our scopes. One
WI state park ranger ended up joining our club after one such encounter and
buying a telescope!
My wife is a former police officer. I don't want to sound partisan or
argumentative, but their job is to identify and investigate what 'doesn't
belong' or what doesn't look right. I have to admit, a guy in a dark lot (not
his property maybe even) with all that weird looking gear (to the police) would
fit into that category. He didn't look overtly dangerous or threatening,
because if he DID the police would have had their weapons OUT. Wonder if he
would have been sarcastic at that point? Or wishing if he'd brought back-up
underwear..... If he started the encounter by being rude, then what follows is
his own fault. If he started out sarcastic and indignant, the LAST thing a cop
will do is cower and apologize as the encounter continues. Would any cop let
the tone of the exchange move in that direction? No. They are in charge.
Period. What was he thinking? Doesn't sound like his rights were violated, but
his night vision and 30 minutes of observing were disrupted. The cops
were wondering if they were going to be a gun fight with a wacko! Next time
make sure you are on the property legally. Better yet, go where they probably
will never SEE YOU. Consider contacting the police to let them know what you
are doing and where so the local beat cops aren't surprised (and for a cop,
surprise = fear for your life). That's what we did one night and the cops
rolled in slowly, lights off and asked how everything was going and could they
look through the telescope? We shared our doughnuts.
Scott
On Jan 3, 2014, at 2:53 AM, Darren Johnson wrote:
> I just saw this message on a Facebook thread and thought I'd pass it along
> to everyone.
> An observer, Eric Esch, had this to say.
>
> "Well that was a first for me. My telescope session tonight was ended by
> police. Apparently astronomy has become a suspicious activity here. I set
> up my desk, laptop and telescope in a nearby empty lot with no lights.
> After driving past twice and destroying my night vision with a spotlight 2
> police cars came flying into the lot. I could see the dust in the
> headlights flowing into my optics. They got out with hands on their side
> arms and asked me what I was doing out here at 2am. I said what does it
> look like? I was told they ask the questions and I answer unless I want to
> go to jail. I was searched, handcuffed and detained for 20 minutes while
> they attempted to intimidate me into admitting some non-existent crime.
> They told telescope didn't look like a telescope it looked like a mortar
> tube. Asked me why I needed a computer to stargaze. They then made me pack
> up my equipment and go home. My one attempt to proclaim I have rights
> almost got me arrested."
>
>
> --
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> send personal replies to the author, not the list.
>
Scott Tannehill
scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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