[TN-Bird] New TVA signs post notice of personal / vehicle searches
- From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "TN-birds" <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2005 17:33:30 -0400
This sign is on a public road over which residents drive to their homes and
school bus routes travel.
It also leads to a top Northeast Tennessee birding location below South Holston
Dam at the Weir Dam in Sullivan County, TN
Do not be surprised if carrying a pair of binoculars, using a digital camera to
take photos, looking with a spotting scope, writing notes in a notebook,
checking birds on a field card and or doing those things in any Tennessee
Valley Authority (TVA) area not on a regularly-used, designated walkway
subjects you to an unwanted personal search without a search warrant. Until
we are told otherwise, you are subject to having TVA search you and all your
personal items and your car and trunk and in whatever manner TVA Police
determine.
Birders everwhere have become suspects, according to a recent Washington Post
article.
Any birders experiencing any such search should report the details on TN-Birds
so other birders will know what to expect and be prepared to face such
situation. Always be polite, cooperative, kind and understanding when dealing
with TVA police..
If TVA police asks you what you are doing or simply looks at your equipment
from outside the doorway of your car or at arms length distance or more, that
has been standard and expected TVA police activities. We do not need birders
reporting on TN-Birds that they have been surveyed or approached by TVA police
or asked about what they are doing.
Let's go birding....
Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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