H-45

Bill cracks down on high-tech scavengers

By - Jennifer Holland
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
May-2005

COLUMBIA - Strangers caught trekking into South Carolina graveyards or historical sites could earn time in Jail not just a prize in a trendy, high-tech scavenger hunt known as geocaching. 

The thrill of the hunt for hidden treasures has attracted countless enthusiasts to follow coordinates posted on a Web site and use a Global Positioning System device to find hidden "caches" filled with trinkets around the world.

But in this state - rich in tradition and fiercely protective of its heritage - the sport, pronounced "GEE-oh-cash-ing," is not thrilling some lawmakers. 

The South Carolina House approved a bill Thursday that seeks to crack down on unwanted intruders who, lawmakers say, have insulted many families with
inappropriate photos of people and knickknacks on headstones and sometimes using the land as a toilet.

"I don't find it funny when someone comes to my relative's gravesite and puts little trinkets on it," said Rep. John Scott, D-Columbia. "It's very offensive to us in the African-American community."

Players enter coordinates in longitude and latitude from a Web site into their GPS, and the hunt is on. Geocachers follow their navigation signal and a list
of clues that take them through cemeteries, caves, forests and even historic homesteads.

At the end of the hunt is a treasure - some kind of trinket or toy - stashed in an airtight container, although sometimes there is only a logbook for players to
sign.

Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, said complaints from constituents prompted her to take action to make sure Geocaching was played appropriately in South Carolina.

The bill would require participants in the game to receive written permission to stash a cache or seek one in a cemetery, historic or archaeological site, or
property publicly identified by a historical marker.

Those caught playing the game without consent face a $100 fine or up to 30 days in jail. 

"Now, if they see people in their cemeteries, they have the arm of the law on their side," Ceips said.

But Heidi Roth with Groundspeak, the Seattle-based company that runs http://www.geocaching.com, said the bill was poorly written and discriminates against one group.

"There are always a few bad apples in the bunch," Roth said, adding that the majority of participants are environmentally friendly, respect the graves and
property, and help educate people about the area.

"We don't leave any lasting marks," she said.