The view above is a stretch of Galveston beach in Texas where I have put many footprints in the sand looking for jewelry and coins. Because of the oppressive heat and humidity here in the summer I go to the beach before daylight but the beach in the dark and after sunup is a very different place. I imagine that most beaches near large cities are about the same. Problems with homeless and gangs is on the increase and at night Galveston is dangerous along the beach. Mute testimony is the many rifle and pistol slugs and shell casings that we have found on the beach. What is a striving treasure hunter to do? The life guard stands are water front hotels at night and even on alcohol free beaches are littered with wine and beer bottles. Active gangs hide in the dark recesses under the piers and write their messages on the seawall.
Parks also have growing problems as evidenced by the number of people doing drug business in these areas and while we go joyfully along with our eyes glued to the ground looking for another quarter we are being scanned by the troublemakers. Inner city school yards are hardly vacant for the treasure hunter but become a rendezvous for gangs.
The answers are complicated but I have listed a number of precautions that you can follow before you wander into the spiders web. Some of the comments on the forums suggest that you carry a gun but I don't even though here in Texas it is now legal. The best defense is a constant awareness of your surroundings and you need a hunting partner to watch your back when you are grubbing for that wheatie. I think that manufacturers have missed the point that detectors could have two way radio for contact with your hunting partner. In Galveston I hunt the beach away from the piers and lifeguard stands until broad daylight and hunt with my wife where we can watch out for each other. Some hunters here have started using large knives (and I mean large!) as a message to troublemakers but I remember a law on the books here that no blade over 5" can be carried on your person so I will not carry one. When we go to the beach in the dark I carry a 14" digger that looks impressive as a defense weapon and has forestalled one incident when I was alone on a distant beach when a man came running towards me and when he saw it he slowed down and smiled!
Always be aware of your surroundings and watch the eyes of the watchers for an indication of trouble. My wife carries a small can of mace which may be good for dogs as well. It might be smart to carry a pocket cell phone in case of trouble where you could call for help.
There remains something for us all to do; that is to inform city officials and concerned businesses that may run hotels along the beaches. Notify the police in the area about what you see that troubles you and raise the consciousness of those people who can improve the area for us all. I have sent Email to hotels in Galveston and may followup with letters to the city officials and police department. The day at the beach may seem innocent and calm but they must look beyond that and you can help.
