Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Gilbert
Personally I don't see why a city of 100000 doesn't have its own police force other than cost.
But if they become part of the Sheriffs dept not community watch they would draw a salary from the Sheriff. Depending on where they retired from that could have an impact on any pension they receive. Not to mention the difficulty in getting retirees from different states all certified under Florida laws. and it's highly unlikely that a county Sheriff wants to take on the paperwork involved.
So the only logical solution is to form a TV police dept. 50000 homes times $100 each works out to 5 mil could get a lot for the money.
And another thought, Anyone performing traffic stops would need to be in uniform and armed.
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1. The Villages is not a city. The politics of incorporating as a city and pre-empting part of the tax base from three counties and the City of Lady Lake would be virtually impossible politically, not to mention the difficulty with the various taxing districts we now operate under.
2. The Sheriff's Offices have budgets. They could not add more paid personnel without getting their respective County Commissions to raise their budgets, which would probably mean raising taxes. Don't hold your breath until that happens.
3. Even Reserve or Auxiliary Deputies would have to be trained in all aspects of Florida Law, and pass physical fitness, driving and firearms testing annually. Another BIG expense. And as a previously poster has said, repeatedly, liability, liability, liability.
4. I don't know how it is in Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties, but in Hillsborough, where I am from, Reserve II (Auxiliary) Deputies (who have never passed full Police Academy training) cannot perform law enforcement duties unless in the presence of a full-time Certified Deputy.
5. The Villages could hire a licensed guard service to provide "Security Guards" for security purposes, but they would not have law enforcement powers.
6. The need has not been demonstrated. It was simply someone's thought that perhaps we could get a little more traffic enforcement at a cheap price.