What's the deal with B&E?

[Slimbad]

I'm new to the forum (and the hobby as well) and wanted to get some feedback regarding forced entry. Let's say you find an abandoned site and want to explore inside. Unfortunately, all entry points have been locked (boarded up, sealed off, etc.). Do you forge ahead and bust in, or find a different site that's unsecured?

Does it simply come down to how much risk one is willing to accept? Or is there more to the matter?

Obviously, I know the legal answer to this one. Going from misdemeanor trespass to felony B&E might give many pause to reconsider exploring a locked site. I've read through the topics about pilfering, vandals and other issues regarding ethics (Infiltration.org, etc.) I just want to hear what other, more seasoned explorer's thoughts were on this subject.

Any stories, advice and feedback is appriciated. And yeah, I know... don't get caught.

Thanks,
Slimbad

 

[metalwitch]

If there is an opening, I will go in.
I don't B&E.

[Rally19]

"Breaking" is the keyword in the phrase, if you have to break something to get in, its B&E or so i have found

[MovingUnit]

Personally, I'm not a fan of having to break into a place to explore.  Case in point: a couple weeks ago I made a thread regarding an old abandoned farm in CT I found.  The farmhouse is absolutely beautiful, frikkin' huge, and looks like a place I could spend hours in.  BUT, the first floor is boarded up very tightly.  I could easily have taken a crowbar, pried open a board covering a door or window, and slipped in,  but I didn't.  Instead, I noticed that the second and third floors weren't secured, and that an awning over the front door happened to lead to one of these unsecured openings.  So I shimmied up on top of the awning, crawled across it, and promptly fell through said awning up to my chest.  :D  I gave up at that point needless to say.

If I can't find an opening that's not blocked, I don't go in.  If someone else happens to make an opening, well good for them, I'll find it and go in at a later time.  

[Megster]

Does climbing in through an already broken window and unlocking the front door for your friend count?

[metalwitch]

Meg what we are saying is IF there is already an opening, yes we will go in.

We don't take crow bars and break anything in order to gain entry.

[Photohunter]

I have found that if I search hard enough I can find a way in without forced entry.

[MikeDijital]

I get in what ever way is easiest for me to get in, and the longer it took to get there, the more I am prone to " make " a way in.


If I drive 3 hours to see something, hell or high water im getting in.

[skully]

Amen brother.  

The process goes like this:
Drive, See, Drool, Get Inside, Look, Take Pics, Leave, Post

(except that post part I have a problem with).  :lol:  

[Photohunter]

(except that post part I have a problem with).  :lol:

Someone had to say it.  :D  

[zen p. the ebastard]

Breaking and entering...
well, first I'll say that I'm not a lawyer. I have, let's just say, a bunch of personal experience in this area.
First, that expression "if you're going to break the law you should know what it is" definitely applies here.
To that end, I'd recommed going online and doing some research before setting foot onto the property that you're looking to target. Is it a private facility, or state owend? This can make the difference between a misdemeanor, and a felony.
Since I live in CT, and alot of what I see posted here is about CT, I'll recommed going to: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/sup/Title53.htm to look through the CGS (CT General Statute) regarding B&E, Trespassing, etc.

Secondly, b&e doesn't necessarily mean that you were the person who broke in. Someone broke, but you are the person who in fact entered. If caught inside, the assumption is that you were the person who "broke." It wouldn't matter if this was done 5 minutes or 5 years before you got there. Especially if you consider that most if not all these abandoned site have clearly posted "No Trespass" signs, the defense "I didn't know" is out. If caught inside, you would take the brunt of the responsibility, legally, for whoever broke in. You can tell the judge "I didn't break in, someone else did," but that means little in a court of law.

Under the eyes of the law, it does make a difference if you're caught inside, or outside of the buildings. It's the difference between simple trespass (mis.), and Criminal trespass (Fel.). Also, at the time of "arrest" if you're found with certain tools, that would be viewed as "attempted Criminal trespass" because you are viewed as having an intention of B&E, or some other crime against the property; whether or not you did in fact have that intention. Especially on State property, having those tools would essentially carry the same penalty as if you actually were caught inside.

On the flip side of this once the cops are called, you don't have to tell them anything. It's up to a judge, and your defense lawyer as to what the penalty will be.

So take all that for what it's worth--and of course, DGC.

[insanebeaver]

well i look at it as... if the location is remote and/or worth breaking into
why not?