Haunted Location Exploitation: Unauthorized
WARNING: I DON'T CARE HOW YOU LOOK AT THE SITUATION. I DON'T CARE IF YOU KNOW THE OWNER, AN ASSOCIATE, OR A REPRESENTATIVE. I DON'T CARE IF YOU USED TO OWN IT YOURSELF. ALWAYS GET WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER OR AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LOCATION BEFORE DOING ANY TYPE OF PHYSICAL EXPLORATION OR SHARING THE LOCATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA!!!!!
TRESPASSING
We will start with the main concern, trespassing. If you look at the reason for gaining permission to be on a property, the first will be safety concerns. Abandoned properties usually are abandoned for a reason; disrepair, unsafe conditions, mold, infestations, harmful materials, and more. In most cases an owner or representative of a property will not give permission to access a property that could potentially be a liability issue. This isn't just their viewpoint, this would be the viewpoint of their insurance company as well. Stepping foot into an abandoned property without any information provided ahead of time can be harmful in many ways; illness from unstable materials, injury from disrepair, and potentially harm from creatures that have access to the location. If you trespass and you have some injury or illness as a product of this visit, is it the owners responsibility? Or is it yours for not getting permission? Like the warning labels on hot coffee, this should be common sense but unfortunately when it comes down to it the owner is always responsible for some reason. That's just not okay. Remember as well that one bad seed that violates these moral obligations could lead to the location NEVER being accessed for the purpose of paranormal research. (Note: Public locations like parks or outdoor areas that have posted hours are included. These locations should only be accessed during the posted hours and you should know the rules of the property. Some locations do not allow ghost hunting or paranormal investigation. They may also not allow access to certain areas.)
UNAUTHORIZED USE OR EXPOSURE
Let's look at a private residence that is famous for its paranormal claims, like the Amityville house. That location has been exploited so much that we don't know what is real or what is not. Does it get sold repeatedly because of paranormal activity, or do the owners fall prey to all the "visitors" gawking and taking pictures when they just want peace in their astronomically priced home? Maybe you are on a public road taking pictures of the house, but you are trespassing on their privacy. Let's shift to a venue, museum, or inn that is supposedly haunted, you may not plan to investigate but say you share that you heard rumblings of paranormal activity. While this may increase their exposure, what if it gets interest that the owners don't want? People hanging around taking pictures, loitering, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. While this may not be a physical trespassing scenario, because well, they offer a public service; this is still a trespass on their brand. I am sure some people will side eye this viewpoint, but I saw a location that is very well known that was sold recently and rebranded, state that there are not ghosts there. I personally laughed at this because there have been many a ghost hunt there thanks to the previous owners, you can't take back ghosts just because you don't want to be known for that. But what if you never exposed your location to paranormal enthusiasts? Would you be okay with your location or business to be exposed in a way that could adversely effect your clientele? What about if the information of your "haunting" caused groups of people to attempt to break in or access the location illegally? This happens more than you know. We were at Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum doing an event once and someone attempted to climb through a window! I think they give enough events at the asylum that you don't need to trespass. (And before you say it's too expensive, that place is expensive to run. Pay your part.)
UNWANTED PUBLICITY
While I did cover this in the last section, I want to reiterate that sharing a location for your self-interest on social media is not okay. Taking pictures of a private location for the purpose of furthering your presence online and sharing the "alleged" paranormal claims, can harm the people who own or are the representatives of the location. Our team ALWAYS gets permission to share any information regarding a location on social media or with the public. I was surprised to find recently that not everyone asks, they just share it. We circle back to these clients that may then have to field calls from other groups or individuals that are unsavory. It could mean that groups or individuals attempt to access the location illegally, causing the client and those associated with the location to be concerned for their safety.
This past summer we did a Facebook LIVE in a location before our paranormal investigation. We have done this before and we have shared locations that have given us permission to do so, on social media. This location was different apparently. We had an individual start banging on the doors and windows of the location, all because she had seen the live. I am unsure to this day of why she felt that she could infringe on the location in this way, so my question is if we put the information out to the public, do they feel they have permission in some way? It has made us re-evaluate sharing locations that we have gotten permission to share. I don't think everyone understands the epidemic we are seeing with trespassing and unauthorized usage in the public domain. While this blog is more centered on ghost hunters or paranormal investigators, this also goes for locations that are subjected to urban exploration, where there is one there are dozens of others that may show up. As I have cited the reasons why you shouldn't for physical harm or the harm to the location, I will follow up again with ALWAYS GET PERMISSION NO MATTER WHAT! While I plan to blog about getting permission to access a location, here is a condensed "how-to" for getting permission to investigate or access a property.
1. Find information on the location. (Owner's name, representative, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and a little bit of its history) Note: Having a little history shows that you are serious and interested in the location.
2. Create a plan for your cold call or visit to the potential client. (Introduction to who you are, your team information, the permission you seek, questions you may have, etc.) BE PROFESSIONAL, if you are sending an email or letter, proofread! If you are visiting in person, dress and act professionally.
3. If you are asked to do a lecture or presentation to a board or group; create a detailed plan that includes your information, team information, references, experience, and the plan for their particular investigation/ case.
4. KEEP ALL THIS INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL!
Remember that your professionalism and the seriousness you bring to your interactions make the difference. Show your passion for the paranormal and go get that permission!
Rebecca Boyer
Co-Founder/ Case Manager
Antietam Paranormal Society
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