I need to know about C O P S & D R U G S

[Badger]

I've been wondering about that since being verbally abused by a cop in a small Nevada town a few years back. I'd kind of like to just keep a tape recorder with me on long trips and turn it on if pulled over. Do I have to notify the officer that I'm recording our conversation? Can he refuse my request? Is turning on the recorder going to piss him or her off and make things worse?

These days it's probably 90% certain that encouners with troopers are being recorded by video from the grill or dashboard of the vehicle.

You might say something to the effect that you're pretty sure that the current encounter is being recorded by video device(s) located in the officer's car. Because the position of the officer next to your car often affords a bias in favor of the officer's portion of the conversation vs yours you might then mention that you've decided to record the conversation in order to augment any shortcomings that the officer's recording might have - lest there be any confusion should either of you elect to pursue the infraction in question in a court of law.

I always carry my microphone for my iPod in my car within easy access should I get pulled - especially if I'm in Nevada.

[DVD Burner]

These days it's probably 90% certain that encouners with troopers are being recorded by video from the grill or dashboard of the vehicle.

No matter what,
the cops in the little town of Loomis are stupid enough to do thier little stupid whatever they like on any kind of camera at anytime.

best thing is just be carefull and be smart to and from BM.

[Licentious Queen]

I just did some mind-altering dancing. I didn't even need drugs. I have no opinions on his subject as I haven't been to BM...but man, dancing is one of my drugs of choice...

[Licentious Queen]

oh yeah...and be careful, don't die or get caught....

I love you all too much!

[danman]

on tape recording police encounters: i do not know the law in nevada and each state is different. the main question as to legality depends on whether under state law the recorded communication was "unlawfully intercepted" and to make this determination you must look to the given state's prohibitory statutes on wiretapping and eavesdropping. Almost all state statutes, if not all, allow consensual recordings of conversations, thus asking politely or simply informing the officer that you are recording the conversation is probably best. something along the lines of "sir i just wanted to let you know that i am recording this encounter-i don't mean any disrespect, i just want a record of the conversation to protect me and to protect you."

danman

[Zane5100]

I can't believe that this thread has gone this far.

It's really simple:

• Drugs are illegal.

• There are cops everywhere.

• If you do something that is illegal, expect to be arrested.

• If you take drugs to Burning Man, you are fucking with Burning Man's ability to exist and so you're fucking with other people.

• Trying to think of a way around this is self-justification for your selfish behavior.

[123Rachel]

OK all this "you can have a great time without it" stuff is really annoying...aquarium obviously knows she can be there with out it, but what she is asking is what are the risks that other poeple have experienced!! it is a simple request. one that doesn't need all the high horse preaching that is going on.

My experience, and mine alona as that is all I can speak for:
I have done quite a few different types of drugs at BM. Ones that I have brought and ones that I have gotten on Playa. I have never been busted, but have had "encounters".
Don't "do/engest" drugs in plain site/smell of anyone. Take normal precautions.
Be careful about caryying anything around with you...I had an art car I was riding "pull over" and random searching of bags was going on (very uncool)...my guy and I just slipped off the other side of the car and started walking the other way.
These are my personal expereiences.
On the way there I have never had any trouble, but when you are traveling burry the items deep in your packing...your vehicle will be stuffed any way so pack your items first and theem pack everything else on top of it (that's my theory anyway).

Hope this helps! and don't woprry about all the high-horsing that is going on, people particpating at BM are very laid back about such things (as far as my experience goes).

Happy Trails!
-r

[jmdinn]

For a moment, I almost thought I had found a useful string.

Holy crap. What a waste.

I mean, can you just take a second to think of how many people are hoping for an honest perspective of how lenient law enforcement is at this event? Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands?

What a great question! What a fantastically honest and straightforward question! Coming from someone who's apparently educated, experienced and very familiar with being responsible for their own choices, risks and legal deviances.

I really hoped for a straight answer. I expected more. Instead we get an adolescent pissing contest.

Keep your self-righteousness. It informs no one.

[theCryptofishist]

Plus so much of the ground has been covered already.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... sc&start=0

[jmdinn]

"...would like to thank everyone who responded for making me think. i just shot out an e-mail without thinking about the wider audience and how such an e-mail might impact burningman as a whole ... burningman is about individual free expression ... but at the same time to remember that your acts ... may impact others and/or burningman as a whole ... perhaps the conversation is not appropriate for the e-playa ..."
burnon
danman

>>
Ditto.
My sincerest apologies.
[/quote]

[III]

>>honest perspective of how lenient law enforcement is at this event?

i lbelieve the answer was pretty clear: about as lenient as anywhere else that has a notable law enforcement presence inside the united states.

[Zane5100]

For a moment, I almost thought I had found a useful string.

Holy crap. What a waste.

I mean, can you just take a second to think of how many people are hoping for an honest perspective of how lenient law enforcement is at this event? Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands?

What a great question! What a fantastically honest and straightforward question! Coming from someone who's apparently educated, experienced and very familiar with being responsible for their own choices, risks and legal deviances.

I really hoped for a straight answer. I expected more. Instead we get an adolescent pissing contest.

Keep your self-righteousness. It informs no one.

Self-righteousness? I suggest self-preservation is the ruling instinct in this case.

How many times does it need to be said that people who hate Burning Man and law enforcement agencies read this board? That the content posted on this board is used by those that want to end the event?

The topic of this thread is such that those who are wanting to preserve the event can only respond in the fashion that they have.

Besides, if people were to get really self-righteous, then they could, possibly, hypothetically say something along the lines of "get a fucking clue and don't talk about commiting a crime in public around people that you don't know."

...just a thought.

[DVD Burner]

Besides, if people were to get really self-righteous, then they could, possibly, hypothetically say something along the lines of "get a fucking clue and don't talk about commiting a crime in public around people that you don't know."

...just a thought.

Why does this thread exists anyway.

Lets see now.....who created it?

[phyreseed]

someone just tell her what she's looking for and stop being sanctimonious assholes about it!

Aquariumgirl, yes, there are uniformed LEO's on the playa, there are undercover LEO's on the playa... if someone tells you there aren't any such thing, they're either ignorant or screwing with you, or both.

You can behave however you want on the playa, including taking or not taking whatever you choose - however, you must be prepared to deal with the consequences. If you're cooking down some peyote and you get caught, you're going to get a ticket at best, jail at worst.

Use your eyes and common sense for this one... make sure that everything is out of sight, and do your best to minimize any odors that you (or your entertainment) may put off. I'd suggest blowing any excess smoke (from cigarettes, of course) through an empty toilet paper roll stuffed with fabric softener sheets (dryer sheets)... it worked when I was a teenager, it should work just fine now.

Drugs aren't the end all be all, but I think you've got that one figured out already... but sobriety isn't the end all be all either. Be careful, don't take too many risks, and remember that the desert is a completely different environment than any you're used to - even if you've been to another desert, you won't be prepared for this one fully till you've been there a few times.

Good luck on your shamanic trip, and thanks for the book titles.. I think I'll be checking them out. If you've any more to suggest, please PM me and let me know.

cheers.

phyre

[phyreseed]

sorry if this already got covered... looks like I only saw the first page!

[vulgaris]

Coming from someone who [expletive deleted] frequently, let me tell you without the opinions or the bullshit- Please Be Careful.

Do not just put your drugs, if you choose to bring them, anywhere. Your vehicle is searched at the gate to Burning Man [for massive quantities, illegal items, freeloading peoples, ect] and that does not mean it couldn't be pulled over and searched at any time by any police officer who just felt like busting down on a couple burners on the trip to.

Do not smoke pot out in the open. Do not take any sort of illegal substance out in the open. Do not keep your drugs out in the open, not even out in the open of the inside of your own personal tent, car or RV. If the police [and by police I mean any one of the several different police patroling the burn] smell pot they will find it. While the penalty for pot is small, the "rest of the stuff" could very easily land you in jail and with a criminal record that will haunt you.

If you are female, do not be intoxicated alone. I'm not trying to make Burning Man out to be a war zone but you wouldn't walk around half naked and inebriated at night in any other city so don't do it in Black Rock City. Bring friends. Be aware of your surroundings. If you feel like you are "in too deep" at any time, head straight to center camp and take a seat until the waves die down. If you fear you've taken something caustic don't be afraid to go to the first aid camp- You might be taken in with a frown but it outweighs the cost of not getting help.

As you can figure there are plenty of people who like to "experience" the burn in the same way you are wishing to. They do it succesfully because they are, like the burners who are not on substances, prepared and in control of their situation.

[bigpurple]

you wouldn't walk around half naked and inebriated at night in any other city so don't do it in Black Rock City.

While I am sure that this is good advice it makes me very sad. BRC should be different, and that being said I will strive to make it safe for anyone to walk around totally naked and inebriated. Let this be a friendly warning to any and all Yahoo's out there who don't respect boundries I am working on a very specific performance art project for YOU !

[Badger]

While I am sure that this is good advice it makes me very sad.

It shouldn't. Though I wouldn't say that there haven't been predatory loser types skulking around the playa at times the post that Vulgaris put out implicitly suggests the contrary I think.

Complaints to Rangers and LEO persons over the course of several years don't actually bear this out - especially when the comparison to 'any other city' gets thrown into the mix. BRC is NOT every other city.

YMMV however.

[vulgaris]

Badger is right, and so is BP. It /is/ sad, and BRC is /not/ every other city... If you look at it in a case-by-case basis there are very few incidents of rape and probably "not a whole lot" of people [women and men] being hassled against their will in the dark while they're naked and inebriated.

Just stay aware of things, you know? That's what I mean. Burning Man is a wonderful place full of magic and, uhmm, WONDER but it's neither hazard nor asshole free. Just be on top of things so noone has to cry for you in September.

[Badger]

Oh, and it never hurts to carry a knife. After all, dead men don't rape.

[SilkenTofu]

Badger, any statistics on murder at Burningman? 2004 could be our year.
Zodiac Killer would fit in so well with this years theme.

[_tears_]

Badger, any statistics on murder at Burningman? 2004 could be our year.
Zodiac Killer would fit in so well with this years theme.

Lol go true

[Badger]

Badger, any statistics on murder at Burningman? 2004 could be our year.

So far it's zero - until the authorities find that DPW lime pit.

[TheJudge]

Your vehicle is searched at the gate to Burning Man [for massive quantities, illegal items, freeloading peoples, ect]

Just so everyone understands, the folks at the gate are not any kind of law enforcement. All they're trying to do is take your ticket and catch people trying to sneak in. They honestly don't give a shit what kind of drugs you may have.

Bottom line: If you are going to be partaking of substances, do it discreetly.

[rubyredalys]

all i gotta say is....corona in cans for me!

viva la 21!

-a

[phyreseed]

this is not phyreseed- a friend of his who doesn't get onto e-playa that often- (Mole)- hi. heard you guys were ranting about illegal substances and gate staff-- don't know if this is attached to the same string or not, but here goes--
I have volunteered at the gate for a good number of years now, and believe me, a lot of you guys look scared shitless when I start my searches. I try to add disclaimers, like "hey don't worry- only searching for warm bodies and shiny tickets," but honestly, after the 501th car, and 4 days of severe sleep dep, i tend to forget/ don't care to mention. But just to let you know, we couldn't give a rat's arse what you've got stashed in the pocket of the thingie in the secret box behind the carbeurator. THINK ABOUT IT-- we don't have time. On the other hand, when I find warm bodies playing dead hidden under the blanket on top of the thingie in the 10 gallon drum, now that really gets my juices flowing. But even then, we're nothing to shit your pants over. We
are just volunteers, and burners like yourself who would rather dress up like an angry mafioso that gets to climb on things and swing like a monkey from the side of an RV. Be nice to us, we are not law enforcement!! Just like everyone else, we might even have shit jobs on the outside; "we are the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world!" to quote a good source. No hidden reference, just remember that we like to play, too, and don't be scared of us. Love, Moley Mole

[Captain Goddammit]

this is not phyreseed- a friend of his who doesn't get onto e-playa that often- (Mole)- hi. heard you guys were ranting about illegal substances and gate staff-- a lot of you guys look scared shitless when I start my searches. I try to add disclaimers, like "hey don't worry- but don't mention. what you've got stashed in the pocket of the thingie in the secret box behind the carbeurator. when I find warm bodies dead hidden under the blanket on top of the thingie in the 10 gallon drum, now that really gets my juices flowing. Be nice to us, we are law enforcement!! , we might even shit on the world!". No hidden reference, just remember that we like to play, too

O.K., I edited a little, but didn't know if anyone else got the hidden truth between the lines; be afraid, be VERY afraid, they're monitoring us, ixnay on the ugsdray

[Jus Say Ventura]

"Can anyone tell me about mind altering stuff?"

Burning Man is the ultimate mind alterer. You don't need Drugs!

"Can we get any there? Would you recommend just leaving everything at home or is it ok in the safety of your own tent/van??"

If you left all your drugs at home who will we get it from!

...although I realize they can't control the police."

that's not true- Burning man has discovered a mind control method. The cops do everything we want them to and they don't know it.

"We are going to be driving our van from Arkansas, so we would like to be prepared! THANK YOU! "

I'm sorry, but you forgot to include your address and phone number so I can call you and give you the REAL information you want that I can't really tell you. You know.

"Peace be with you,
Lydia"

This is what happens when we all have been slammed to the mat a little more then we should!

Don't be a meat head the COPS are everywhere. Plan as such!

[Friendly Jen]

On Buying Drugs at BM

You are asking to get caught...oh yeah you'll also pay about 3 times as much for what you want AND it will be lousy AND that's if the guy selling to you isn't an undercover cop.

Ask yourself this: if you are too scared to bring your own, who in their right mind is gonna bring enough for you and 30,000 other people?

On Doing Drugs at BM (True BM Tales)

-One friend woke up face down on the playa unable to move his arms and legs because he was dehydrated.
-One friend puked up over a gallon of water.
-One friend awakened in a skeezy tent with cum all over her face.
-One friend missed the burn because he was in the med tent.

Sound Fun?

[JezebelinHell]

Tale of Warning!

A kid in my camp last year was walking along the esplanade when a car covered in pot leaves and piloted by drag queens offered him a ride to wherever he was going. He accepted, and when they dropped him off, he gave them a joint as a way of saying 'thank you.' 45 minutes later three sets of cops showed up at our camp, and took him away in handcuffs. He got a three-hundred-dollar ticket, but was allowed to return to the burn. Anyways, the moral of the story is:
Just because they're drag queens in pot-leaf cars, that doesn't mean they're not cops!


And now I have a question. What's up with all the absinthe bars out there? I mean, I love em and spend a good deal of time pounding shots there, but isn't absinthe still technically illegal in the states?