Daley Center flowerpot contraband documented in Tumblr

Handcuffs, switchblades and brass knuckles are just another part of Jerry Elver's commute.

Every morning as he makes his way from Union Station, Elver, 31, of the Joliet area, will eye the flowerpots outside the Daley Center. Since March, he's documented the plethora of contraband he's found stashed among the flowers--likely left by patrons who wouldn't be able to get through the center's security--and snapped photos for his Tumblr, 'Daley Center Findings.'

'It's not necessarily a hobby, I don't go out of my way to seek out items. It's just in passing on my commute, things catch my eye,' he said.

Those things include, most recently, a pair of handcuffs without a key, as well as a host of knives, tools and even cutlery.

According to the Daley Center's website FAQ 'cameras, pocket knives, small tools, knitting needles, mace and recording devices are not allowed into the facility.'

Sometimes, he says, he'll take the items out, even to another location, to photograph them and return them later. Other times, he'll snap photos of them as he's found them. He's only kept one item: a Brutus the Bulldog Self Defense Keychain ( a pink, dog-shaped brass knuckles you can find on Amazon.)

'My moral philosophy is if people are going into the Daley Center with items they cannot check at the door, they should not bring them,' he said, adding he doesn't feel bad when he 'relocates' the items to take photos. 'I mean, the flowerpots are public domain. If I don't pick them up the police or maintenence will in the next 8-hours max.'

Elver said he's never really tried to promote his blog, and usually just shares the photos with friends and family. However he did post a link on the Chicago sub-Reddit last night, where it quickly shot to the top of the links.

'It's been a 50-50 rate of support and criticism,' he said. Some of the comments knocked Elver for moving the items, speculating they may be from construction workers and his 'relocation' will prevent them from doing their jobs. Elver said he really doesn't sweat it, noting that items are picked up regularly by security anyway.

'I treat it like fishing,' he said. 'You never know what's in the water. Sometimes you catch a fish and sometimes you don't.'

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