BlackBrownDog wrote:Something that might be helpful in a "think before you hide" page, would be assembling a list of links to news articles about the multiple times that local law enforcement (rightfully or ridiculously) have brought in the SWAT to blow up some McToys, or other examples of why someone should "think first, hide second." Anyone care to start?
This sounds like a good idea, I'll start with the one from page 1, cheechs is the same incident but on a different site.
Did everyone see this notice in the Groundspeak Weekly Newsletter today?
This Week...
Important Geocache Placement Reminder
Law enforcement personnel around the world are becoming increasingly aware of geocaching and, as such, are reaching out to Groundspeak and the geocaching community for assistance as they work to educate their staff on the activity. The law enforcement officers with whom we have been in contact are appreciative of the help and eager to pass on information to others in their field. They would like to remind geocachers to obtain permission from the land owner or land manager before placing a cache and to choose a placement location that will not cause unnecessary concern. We’d also recommend using clear containers marked as a geocache so that the contents can easily be identified.
An easy way to label your cache is with an official geocache sticker, available at Shop Groundspeak. The stickers have a strong permanent adhesive and are available in three sizes, in both English and German language versions.
Ok, this type of thing is only going to intensify, so it's time to take action on my caches that may present a problem. I'll have to go thru them all, but to start with, I'm archiving Shot Ski GCJAHQ
after the Feb meet/eat. I'll try to get off work for awhile on that date, but if I can't I'lll ask someone to run out back and snag it. If you haven't hunted it, and want to , you have about a week to do so.
News Channel 25 found two places where geocaches are currently illegally placed.
"There's always going to be that criminal element out there that's going to take something that's fun, enjoyable to thousands of people and turn it into bad," Anderson said.
Wow, I never considered myself part of the criminal element. I must be a sociopath.
I believe the ONLY way this will be RESOLVED is if the GC.com reviewers redouble their efforts to assure that permission is GRANTED for all caches. I like the idea of identifying the permission granter and maybe including that on the cache page with contact info.
I just did my part. After some soul searching, I decided to archive one of my caches. It was sad to see a cache with 359 finds go. It was in the top 10 for busiest caches in the state of Ohio.
understand the parking lot skirt lifters...but, let's say SOMEONE used a guardrail on a public street for a recently placed cache........
hmmmm, whose permission should she get?? director of i'll-pass-the-buck-and-just-say-no ?
thought public areas like that were okay...
This topic was about having a statement on this website that could be referenced in various ways to help guide people in making wise decisions. Since the Steering Committee has this proposal on the agenda and since this topic is straying to other issues, I request that this thread be locked.