The Atlantic Paranormal Society

The Atlantic Paranormal Society

The official TAPS logo
Abbreviation	T.A.P.S.
Formation	1992; 25 years ago (1992)
Founders	Jason Hawes Grant Wilson
Legal status	Volunteer organization
Focus	Paranormal investigating
Headquarters	Warwick, Rhode Island
Region	Worldwide
Lead Investigator	Steve Gonsalves
Investigator/Tech Manager	Dave Tango
Subsidiaries	TAPS Paramagazine
Staff (2015)	28
Website	www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com
Formerly called	Rhode Island Paranormal Society

The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) is an organization that investigates reported paranormal activity. Based in Warwick, Rhode Island, TAPS was founded in 1990 by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. In 2004, the organization itself became the subject of Ghost Hunters, a popular weekly American paranormal reality television series on the Syfy channel. The show is currently airing its tenth season on Syfy in the US. The show aired in the UK nine months after the US premier on Living It.

In 1990, Hawes began the "Rhode Island Paranormal Society", after having a personal experience with spirits. After RIPS began investigating cases throughout the New England area, Jason met up with Grant Wilson in 1995 and renamed it "The Atlantic Paranormal Society." Wilson had also had a personal experience. Neither man talks about it in public. The group was originally run out of Jason's basement, and at that time consisted only of Jason and Grant. They pioneered investigative techniques that many other paranormal investigators use. In 2003 they were approached by Pilgrim Films and taped ten episodes of "Ghost Hunters" for the Sci Fi (now SyFy) channel.

Starting in 2007, Jason and Grant began releasing a series of books related to their work and experiences in the paranormal as well as several fiction books.

TAPS publishes a bi-monthly publication called TAPS Paramagazine (also known as TAPS Para Mag), which features articles written by group members and information pertaining to the paranormal. Hawes stated in an interview on the skeptical podcast 'Audiomartini' that the magazine is marketed primarily in an attempt to "fund the TAPS operation." The magazine itself states that "TAPS Para Magazine is a financial sponsor of The Atlantic Paranormal Society." The average issue is approximately 39 pages in length and in 2006 was marketed by offering a behind-the-scenes DVD of the show to new subscribers.

In April 2007, Beyond Reality Radio, a radio talk show that featured TAPS co-founders and Ghost Hunters stars Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, began broadcasting on select radio stations in the New England area. Airing Saturday nights from 7-10 PM, Jason and Grant interviewed guests about the Paranormal and allowed listeners to call in to contribute to the discussion. The show was produced by Amy Bruni, with help from Dave Gardiner. During the show listeners could visit the official TAPS website and chat about the show or any other subjects in a moderated chat room. The show is currently on hiatus and no date has been given for its return.