Two weeks ago I had two LEO interactions in one day. I'll start with the one I didn't start on purpose.
I went out shooting with a friend on private property owned by close family friends. It is and area that has and continues to be dug out for gravel and fill. This has created a berm that is over 30' tall for 300yds wide and has a max range of 120yds. There are a few homes near the area but they are 1000+ yds behind and to our right as we shoot. We were asked by one of the closest homes to stop in when we come up. I don't mind this because they asked nicely and are going to be getting their LTCs and asked if they could shoot with us.
We arrived and saw a couple local kids as we walked in (loggers blocked the road). Said hi and thought nothing of it. We were shooting for about an hour and a woman called out to us and asked if we had seen her child. I called back that we saw a boy on the way in but that had ben it. She said ok and then left. We worked our way through a box of clay pigeons and 150 rds of 9mm. and decided that it was time to go home and get food.
As we were loading the car back up I saw a woman in business dress clothes and heels walking down the overgrown "road" where we had parked. She asked, "Were you guys out shooting?" I replied that we were. She started to ask if we had FIDs. At this point my curiosity as to who she was and why she wanted to know must have shown in my face, because she announced she was local PD. She showed me her ID and I showed her my LTC. She then asked if she could have my DL and took my plate info. I questioned her why she needed all of this info, and she replied that they had gotten several calls about gun shots in the woods. I told her we knew the property owners and had permission. She took my IDs, while I finished packing the car and drove up to the real road.
She let me know, with a smile, that I didn't have any arrest warrants out in my name. I told her that I had never had an incident like this and I have ben shooting up there for over 5 years. I even told her that we let the folks next door know when we come up. She let it slip that it was their neighbors who had called. Apparently in the two hours that we were shooting several calls were placed, and she was the only officer who could respond (she had her 10 yo daughter sitting in her car), and she was coming from her regular job. She said that a situation like this could be avoided in the future if I called the PD and let them know I was shooting. I was a gentleman, and said oh sure. At this point we went our separate ways.
I was furious on the drive home, being asked to report my lawful activity on private property. After cooling down a little I have determined my course of action. Next time I throw lead balls around in the woods I will go to the PD and let them know that I will be engaging in lawful activity where and when I please. I would also mention that it could be considered harassment if this citizen continued to call the PD. Never mind that it is wasting the valuable time of their LEOs. I am and will be a gentleman; however I will not be harassed.
Now for the less exciting LEO encounter. I went into the Pittsfield PD and got my restrictions removed. The card just showed up today!!!!!!
I went out shooting with a friend on private property owned by close family friends. It is and area that has and continues to be dug out for gravel and fill. This has created a berm that is over 30' tall for 300yds wide and has a max range of 120yds. There are a few homes near the area but they are 1000+ yds behind and to our right as we shoot. We were asked by one of the closest homes to stop in when we come up. I don't mind this because they asked nicely and are going to be getting their LTCs and asked if they could shoot with us.
We arrived and saw a couple local kids as we walked in (loggers blocked the road). Said hi and thought nothing of it. We were shooting for about an hour and a woman called out to us and asked if we had seen her child. I called back that we saw a boy on the way in but that had ben it. She said ok and then left. We worked our way through a box of clay pigeons and 150 rds of 9mm. and decided that it was time to go home and get food.
As we were loading the car back up I saw a woman in business dress clothes and heels walking down the overgrown "road" where we had parked. She asked, "Were you guys out shooting?" I replied that we were. She started to ask if we had FIDs. At this point my curiosity as to who she was and why she wanted to know must have shown in my face, because she announced she was local PD. She showed me her ID and I showed her my LTC. She then asked if she could have my DL and took my plate info. I questioned her why she needed all of this info, and she replied that they had gotten several calls about gun shots in the woods. I told her we knew the property owners and had permission. She took my IDs, while I finished packing the car and drove up to the real road.
She let me know, with a smile, that I didn't have any arrest warrants out in my name. I told her that I had never had an incident like this and I have ben shooting up there for over 5 years. I even told her that we let the folks next door know when we come up. She let it slip that it was their neighbors who had called. Apparently in the two hours that we were shooting several calls were placed, and she was the only officer who could respond (she had her 10 yo daughter sitting in her car), and she was coming from her regular job. She said that a situation like this could be avoided in the future if I called the PD and let them know I was shooting. I was a gentleman, and said oh sure. At this point we went our separate ways.
I was furious on the drive home, being asked to report my lawful activity on private property. After cooling down a little I have determined my course of action. Next time I throw lead balls around in the woods I will go to the PD and let them know that I will be engaging in lawful activity where and when I please. I would also mention that it could be considered harassment if this citizen continued to call the PD. Never mind that it is wasting the valuable time of their LEOs. I am and will be a gentleman; however I will not be harassed.
Now for the less exciting LEO encounter. I went into the Pittsfield PD and got my restrictions removed. The card just showed up today!!!!!!