We looked out the window and there were 3 people, wearing all black with black
stocking caps, standing around the manhole in the street in front of our house,
the cover was off and one person was half in the manhole. They had lights and
large crowbars. Needless to say, they didn't seem like city workers so we
called 911. This was a weird enough call that we got a 2 squad response within
a few minutes. It was one of those guns drawn "Get on the ground NOW" moments.
(For the record, I think this response was appropriate given that the suspects
were obviously committing a crime, they outnumbered the police and were
carrying implements capable of causing severe bodily harm - the police
handcuffed the individuals briefly - I thought the police response was quick,
appropriate and professional).
It turns out they were self styled "Urban Adventurers" looking for the tunnels
and caves under Nicollet Island. When I learned that, I felt a little guilty,
having been down in the tunnels a few times myself over the years. But, given
what we saw out the window, I would make the same decision to call the police
again.
Unfortunately, it was a bad day for urban adventure. Not only did they get
busted, but (i) the reason they were standing around was that one guy was big
enough that he was stuck in the manhole and couldn't get out - the cops had to
free him and lift him out; and (ii) if they had been successful in getting
down, they soon would have soon figured out that they picked the wrong manhole
- they were not headed into the water supply tunnels, which go to the caves,
but into the totally separate and rather pungent city sewer system, which I'm
sure have a mystique all their own.
They got off with a ticket, and I chatted with them after the cops left. They
were nice about it and actually thanked me for calling 911 cause that guy was
really seriously stuck.
I [used to] do stuff like that all the time, not only the tunnels but the canoe
ride through the underground part of Bassett's Creek and some exploratories in
and around the old Washburn Crosby Mill that is now the Mill City Museum. We
didn't call them Urban Adventures back in those days - most people just called
them "petty misdemeanors."
Barry Clegg
Nicollet Island