Every time the news does a segment on Airsoft its vilified. They find a group of kids running around in a wash with walmart/big5 guns in the middle of city limits to talk to, not real airsofters. I blame irresponsible parents for that but that's another story. But hey it's your kids not mine. They could be doing drugs or sitting around on the couch getting fat, or they could be doing a positive physical activity that builds skills like leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and also builds good friendships. I would like to see once on the news doing a positive segment about airsoft with a responsible team or even field owner.
To answer your question,
1. Where do you and your buddies normally airsoft? - How about somewhere safe an legal, fightertown, fort adobe, UAC, exct. outside the city limits. This isn't 10 years ago when i started playing there are a lot of places that host airsoft nights and events that are cheap or even free. There is no reason for kids to be playing in washes.
2. How many encounters with officers have you come across? - One, a sheriff deputy in a legal play area a long time ago. He didn't have a problem with what we were doing he was just curious, He looked at our gear and talked to us about what airsoft was all about, wished us a good day and left.
3. What's the worst encounter you've had with officers? - none, because I've never been dumb enough to play in a public park or around houses like other re-re's.
4. Areas that are good for not getting attention? - try legal places outside the city limits where you would shoot real guns, or anyplace that is established like a paintball field. Even then if you are in a non-established area be aware that people and police may not know what you are doing.
sorry for the rant... the media really burns me....