fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3309 ]

⌈ Secret Post #3309 ⌋

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Notes:

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So I need help, F!S.

Has anyone ever sent emails/tweets/carrier pigeons to companies/people/what-have-you for research purposes for a story? What was your success rate?

(If I email the police asking how accessible riot gear would be post-zombie-apocalypse am I going to end up on a List™ somewhere???)

You might have good luck looking through some of those prepper/street-fighter/survivalist magazines. You can find them in big grocery stores and big-box stores that have a large selection of magazines.

Huh I never even thought of that. Thank you kind, anon! :D

Have you tried a writing forum/subreddit? A lot of times there's ones that are geared just for people wanting to ask research questions.

That's where I usually get my information.

That was going to be my next shot if the local police don't have riot gear and can't answer my question. (Two co-workers have cop husbands so I poked them to ask before I emailed. XD)

Nah. I either research as much as I can on my own, or make it up.

Yeah it's just for a short story so I'm sure I could get away with making it up since it's not a pivotal detail, I was just curious as to what kind of luck people have had tapping external resources when it came to research.

Yes. I've gone in person to museums, staffed by volunteers. They're usually pretty glad that anyone is that interested, TBH, and are an absolute goldmine of information. I've contacted an astronomical society and within a couple of emails was in touch with the society's State president, who was very helpful and interested. I emailed my country's national aircraft museum, thinking a volunteer might get back to me in a week or two... the Director replied the next day *screams faintly*. The only place that didn't answer was an important museum in Oxford. But I expect they get a lot of people wanting information. Or they could be stuck-up gits, I dunno.

I emailed my country's national aircraft museum, thinking a volunteer might get back to me in a week or two... the Director replied the next day *screams faintly*.

Hahaha, oh man. I would probably squeal out loud if something that happened to me. XD

But yay, I'm glad you've had such a high ratio of help to non-help! That's super encouraging! :D

I usually just research the tar out of everything online, but that might be because I'm super awkward about cold approaches. If I need information for something that I know a friend or family member knows, I'll ask them.

The LJ comm Little_Details caught my eye a couple months ago with a police question, and I had a lengthy talk with the poster about police procedure. So that might be somewhere to go.

And if it's a real question - not super accessible. It depends though. That stuff is expensive, and most departments of any decent size have SWAT or crowd control units that gobble up all that equipment, but some places outfit everyone and spares/old stuff is usually around.

Oooh, I forgot about little_details! Thank you! And yeah, I'm not so good at cold-calling/cold... emailing? Though emailing is DEFINITELY way easier.

I do my best to research, but it's just such a weird question that I'm not sure it'd come up (even online) unless it's something someone's already asked before, which is always a distinct possibility.

And yeah, it's a real question! XD I'm working on a f/f zombie apoc story and it's always bothered me in zombie films that people are wandering around in shorts and tank tops and shit when I'd be that chick that went a robbed a Wal-Mart for goalie gear or something, haha. So I was just wondering if they broke into a police station what are the odds that gear would be there/accessible without like, lock picking skills, C4, or a blow torch.

:) No problem. I feel like everything is online until I have a question that's super bizarre and specific, so I get you.

It all depends. My station has electronic locks with card readers on every door that leads to anything sensitive (so basically every door but the one into the lobby). If you were really determined and there were no police around to stop you, like in a zombie apocalypse where they're all gone, you could probably find a way in semi-easily. (Might involve driving a car through bulletproof glass though.) Older/smaller/less well funded stations though are can be just traditional locks.

Once you get in, the gear shouldn't be hard to find. Usually it's in lockers or all in one room reserved for SWAT and/or riot gear. I should say that that stuff is heavy and suffocating though! I certainly wouldn't wear it, even in the zombie apocalypse. I'd wear just my normal (lighter, but not able to stop higher caliber rifle rounds) vest and steal every rifle, round of ammo and mag I could find.

You know what? I'd call. Especially if you're half-charming. Ask for a short interview if necessary. Say you're a writer. I know it's awful but people like feeling important.

Hmm... That is an excellent idea. I don't know how charming I am on the phone, but I definitely have a 'trust me :D' face in person, so I could try that.

I've literally had politicians on the line for what was basically a student news redaction. It's really worth the shot.

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