Harassment

[Bill L]

The police were just doing there job.

I disagree with that. He was in a state owned public lot that is not closed to fishing at any time, yet he was questioned and hassled by the cops? Why don't they just sit in the grocery store parking lot and start asking people what they are doing, where they are going, and run their plates? Its an erosion of our rights.

As far as the surfers vs. fisherman, the land was bought by the state fish and wildlife specifically for fishing access,and is maintained as such. The time they were ticketing, red bull was holding a surf contest there (with no permision or permits), with people from all over double parked in the lot and up and down the street. You couldn't even get in the lot.

[RIROCKHOUND]

argh.. I remember that weekend... great surf and there had been fish there right before...
I think I walked in from the Ocean Mist anyways.. cant remember

[Bill L]

Thank God they dont surf a night!

As far as looking suspicious at 3am parked in a lot with rods on your rack, maybe elsewhere, but at a FISHING access lot, I dont think so.

[Redsoxticket]

The wanted criminal could be assumming the character of a fisherman at 3:00am in order to avoid being noticed that is to say being incognito.

[zacs]

He could also be assuming the role of you mowing your lawn on a sunday afternoon. Better search your house, just in case....

It is complete BS that the cop did anything. obviously a rookie.

[Diamond Tackle]

I agree with Toonoc,
Sounds like harassment to me.
If he wanted to do his "job" This same cop would have a lot better luck finding suspicious persons by hanging across the street from a 7-11 at 3 am. Drunks seem to love Burritos at that time of day.
I am very fortunate that here in NJ at many of my fish spots We have a very good relationship with the cops,We act as their eyes and ears in the wee hours and they appreciate it. Maybe NJ is not so bad after all compared to RI and Mass. I have gotten stopped, but never hassled when they see I am not drunk and obviously fishing.
On SEVERAL occasions the officers was extremely POLITE and said, "just wanted to look into your eyes since you were driving like you are tired" (chk for drinking) have a good night sir,some even said "good luck" fishing.

[Springtides]

Look we are all adults here. Learn to deal with this stuff and turn it around. Make them realize stuff about surf fishing. Nightime etc. If you get a tough rookie its just makes it a little harder to communicate but you can do it.
By the way, all summer long in South Kingstown some bastard(s) been breaking into unlocked automobiles in peoples driveways and stealing fishing equipment. There would be other things in the automobiles but they were after fishing equipment. The community knows the police have been trying to get the bastard(s). Now where is a spot that bastards would hang and frequent if they were looking for fishing equipment?

I for one am glad they have their eye on Deep Hole etc.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Tinman

I agree with Toonoc,
Sounds like harassment to me.
If he wanted to do his "job" This same cop would have a lot better luck finding suspicious persons by hanging across the street from a 7-11 at 3 am. Drunks seem to love Burritos at that time of day.
I am very fortunate that here in NJ at many of my fish spots We have a very good relationship with the cops,We act as their eyes and ears in the wee hours and they appreciate it. Maybe NJ is not so bad after all compared to RI and Mass. I have gotten stopped, but never hassled when they see I am not drunk and obviously fishing.
On SEVERAL occasions the officers was extremely POLITE and said, "just wanted to look into your eyes since you were driving like you are tired" (chk for drinking) have a good night sir,some even said "good luck" fishing.

Happened to me this past Spring. Narragansett cop stopped me for 39 in a 35. Obviously wanted to see if I had been drinking as it was 3 am. Anyway, I was on my way to net Herring and told him so. He wished me luck and sent me on my way saying "I wouldn't want to hold up a guy live lining herring. I thought that was nice of him.