Clearfield County Paranormal Investigations

If the person says no, I don't think so, let it drop. Always thank them for their time. If they say yes, decide how you are going to get the permission forms signed. If you do it by mail, always send a SASE, it will expedite the process.

If you come across a public building, abandoned home, cemetery, etc. that you would like to investigate, the very first step should be getting permission to legally access the site. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people out there that do not follow this simple protocol. I have seen over the internet and in the media, reports of people being arrested for being on private property, doing investigations. What are you gaining by taking such a risk? To me the only thing that you are gaining is a fine and possible jail time. So is it worth it to take the chance? As an investigator it is important to go through the proper channels to get the proper permission and paperwork signed before entering a site. You need to have this with you when you conduct your investigation and ready to show to anyone in authority (i.e. police). This is one thing my team and I are adamant about before entering a restricted place. You need to have permission from the owner as well as the local police/sheriff's office.

Neighbors and passersby will contact the local authorities if they see lights flashing or hear people in a cemetery or abandoned property. Police will and do respond to these reports and you will be approached. Do not wait for them to approach you, go to them as soon as they pull up with your permission form and identification in hand. Give them your name and the name of your group, offer them your ID and show them that you have permission from the proper authorities. However, if you have gone through the proper channels, you should have notified the local dispatcher to let them know you are going to be at that location. You should also inform the officer or owner who you spoke to at the police department.

Once we have gotten permission from the owner or caretaker to enter a cemetery or abandoned/empty property, the next step is to call the police department. You will want to do this before the day of the investigation. Always give them a number where they can call you back and if possible, a cell phone number for when you are on the property. You will want to call them again before you head out to let them know you will be there and what times, how many people and how many vehicles.

Unfortunately, there will be times that no matter how many permission slips you have and all the people necessary are okay with you being there, the police will turn you down. They have the final word and some may arrest you if you go against their wishes. The police have the final say, if they say no, make other plans, you are risking arrest, jail time and/or fines, putting a black mark on your groups' name and the rest of the paranormal community. So remember, the police department is the final say, NO means NO!

Check you local laws as well and see what the laws are about going into a cemetery after dark. Some states don't allow you to go into a cemetery after dark so this where you will need the right permission to get in there. I have been to many locations after dark and from time to time I will have the local law enforcement come out and ask if we are getting anything. So follow the proper protocol and get those permissions in a place. Remember if you can not get the right forms signed then you can still go during the day and try your luck and see what you can get.

When making contact to place of interest just tell the person your name and your group name and explain to them what you want to do and how you would go about getting permission and they will either help you or they will refer you to someone else who can. We have included a sample script for you to use when contacting someone for permission and when you talk to the police.

Good luck on your investigations any comments or questions please E-Mail me.

Peace,