Angela wrote:
My only fear is that you'll get these loony-tunes out there who are grave
robbers and all they have to say is, "Well I am just trying to restore the
cemetery!" and get off the hook. That is why I like the probing permit idea
better. The permit would collect your personal information so if the probing
was abused they would know who to look for.
Brad:
First, if we have signed permission slips from the trustee or property owner
that should suffice to show that we truly are restoring the cemetery and can
be used to hold us accountable if we abused the cemetery. Second, the cops I
know are not stupid and could easily determine between a genuine restorer
and a thief.
Angela:
I like it going through the DNR-DHPA because, hopefully, Jeannie would be
the one to issue the permits, and she knows who the genuine people are who
are trying to restore these cemeteries. She knows US. I know several on this
list that can't stand the DNR, but for this cemetery thing to work, we have
got to learn to work together.
Brad:
Granted, Jeannie knows us, but not everyone that restores a cemetery is
going to have a connection to the INPCRP.
I have no problem with the DNR itself, my problem is the government in
general. There's too much of it and I see no reason to add any more if not
absolutely necessary. A probing permit may not seem like a lot, but it's
just one more thing on top of one more thing. I for one am tired of having
to ask Big Government for permission to do just about everything.
Angela:
I agree with Mark Kreps. I too worry about being "caught" doing
"you-know-what". I don't have so much as a speeding ticket. I sure
don't
want to have a misdemeanor on my record. All it would take is some noisy
passer-by to see me probing and trying to extract a headstone out of the
ground for restoration and call the cops on me for graverobbing. Do you
think a cop is educated about the work we do in cemeteries? How is he/she
going to know that I am restoring a cemetery vs. graverobbing? I agree with
Lee though that most of the cops won't care. I make sure I have a signed
permission slip with me from the property owner/township trustee before
working - just in case.
Brad:
I guess this is all in your perspective. I know, if necessary, I would take
the hit for the cause and if going to jail is what it takes to make the
point and get the law fixed then so be it. I'd rather not, but... I know I
am not the only one on this list that would do this if necessary because I
have had this conversation with one of them. I'm not trying to take away
anything from anyone who feels differently, we all have our unique abilities
and fighting the law is one of mine. ;)
I don't want to assume how many cops are educated about the work we do, but
I think that once they talk to you and actually see what you're doing
they'll go on about their business of chasing real criminals. Most grave
robbers aren't going to show up with the kind of equipment that we do.
I'm not condoning breaking the law, I think the law needs to be changed and
there is more than one way to do that and I'd prefer to take the path of
least resistance first, that is, lobby the General Assembly to change it.
The current laws were never meant to get in the way of actual
restoration/preservation. In the mean time there are still thousands of
headstones buried beneath Hoosier soil that need to be found.
How long would it take the government to change the law, adding a permit
clause to it, and then actually put it into practice? Though the cost would
be relatively small, permits issued by DNR would add more to the expenses of
that department and take up the time of the already understaffed crew at
DHPA.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Brad