Six arrested at old Essex hospital campus while 'hunting for ghosts'

[Tkay - Moderator]

Six arrested at old Essex hospital campus while 'hunting for ghosts'
by Philip Read/The Star-Ledger
Thursday July 30, 2009, 3:40 PM

CEDAR GROVE -- A mother and her teenage son were among six people arrested early today "hunting for ghosts" amid the abandoned cluster of century-old brick wards at the former Essex County Hospital Center, officials said.

"There are no ghosts, goblins or boogie men at the old hospital complex," Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said after his officers and Cedar Grove police made the arrests.

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http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/six_arrested_at_old_essex_...

[Louis Charles, (LC) Publisher]

Isn't this Essex Hospital notorious for haunting, being built upon an older hospital site?

[Kelly Ku'ulei/Seraphim]

I agree with officer Fonterra when quoted as saying; "They're placing themselves in danger”.
Obtaining permission would have ended with better results. I vote for sending a team of paranormal investigators in there. Now that would be great a story. Then perhaps they could record the 'boogie men/women' of the old hospital.

[Kat - Administrator]

I am curious to know if there were signs posted around the property, there has to be No Trepassing signs posted and the property must be fenced all the way around the whole perimeter in order for this to stick.
I am sure if the property was under demolition, then there would be signs posted.

I, myself have been to certain places where there wasn't one single sign posted on the entire property and sheriff showed up to tell me I was trespassing. I told him to show me a sign saying that and I would leave. He could do nothing to me because it wasn't posted.

Not one single sign saying..."Keep Out" "No Trespassing" or "Private Property" it has to be posted by law.

These people were taking a big risk going into a building that is being demolished. But when I read the part in the article that someone in black was seen running from the cops. Then you make yourself look like your doing something wrong.
I would have played dumb and walked right up to the cops and said that I didn't see any signs stating I couldn't be there. LOL

But that's just me...I kill them with charm! LOL

[jgisafishin]

Each state has laws on trespassing and they are different in each state. Once a police officer tells you to leave and you don't or you argue with him, you can be arrested for obstruction of a police officer doing his official duty. It is just plain wrong to be on private property without permission anyways. It is always best to ask to be there and have it written on paper. To hunt private property in Pa. you are supposed to have written permission even if it is not posted. When the police show up and tell you to leave it is best to just leave. Kat, I think you were probably walking a fine line with the sign thing. He could have found a reason to arrest you if he really wanted to.

[Kat - Administrator]

Well then...I thank God that I live in a town where I know all the sheriff. They all know what I do, and I even invited a few of them to join us.

The funny thing about it was...two of them that I asked to join us was so scared to death of ghosts! LOL
Big guys with guns...really isn't all that tough.

Yes...each state is different...but when it comes to the laws, it's up to the property owner to make sure signs are posted. They could be sued endlessly if someone was to walk onto the property and get hurt.

I agree that these people needed to get permission before entering the permises, as the same goes for any place. But sometimes law enforcement will let you go if they know you are there to distroy the property and just ask you to leave. It seems that this case...the cop needed to fill his quota for the month.

If you are on some piece of property and you see the cops, the first thing you don't do is run. Then they think your doing something you shouldn't be doing. In this case...one of the guys tried to run.

It won't be long and there will be a new law set in place that ghost hunting will be against the law. There will be some idiots out there that will ruin it for everyone else. Or you will have to obtain a license or permit to even do it. All boils down to one major thing...MONEY

[earthsong]

I think it would be smart to always ask permission before going onto any kind of property. It would be for your own safety as well. Especially if something were to happen to you while you investigated.
I think that Kat is right though, It would be ashamed if they outlawed ghost hunting, or even worse started charging people to be able to do any investigating.

[Tkay - Moderator]

Kat you are so right, when people do this it looks bad for everyone else. They also put themselves in danger. Always have permission, and in places like this, it is wise to inform the authorities before hand.