Quote:
Originally Posted by pooh
Here it is......from VCDD
Community Watch
Community Watch is the eyes of The Villages. We are not a law enforcement agency, but we do work closely with the Sheriff's departments of Lake, Marion and Sumter counties as well as the Lady Lake Police Department. We conduct roving patrols in all districts (VCCDD, SLCDD and Districts 1-10) and are responsible for manning all gates in that same coverage area.
Some of services we provide Village Residents are:
* House Checks — If you should take a vacation or be away from your home for more than seven days Community Watch will walk the perimeter of your home for a minimal fee.
* Dispatch Center — Community Watch mans a dispatch Center 24 hours a day 7 days a week in an effort to ensure that Village Residents always have a person to contact should you have any question we may help you with. Our number at our Dispatch Center is 753-0550.
* Adult Watch Program — Village residents may sign up for the Community Watch Adult Watch Program by coming into the Community Watch Office at 3130 Glenview Road, filling out a simple form and we will call any resident that wishes to participate in our program at various times during the day. This program provides those who live alone with a sense of reassurance. Won't swear to it, but I believe there is a fee for this, as well.
* Community Watch Office — We at the Community Watch office are the organizational and directional hub of all services provided by this Division. We are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and we ask that all residents with concerns contact our office for assistance. To contact us call 753-0550 -- our staff will be pleased to serve you.
Re: Community Watch Dispatch: We have an operator located at our Dispatch Center. This Dispatch Center is manned 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 753-0550. This Dispatch Center will help you with your concerns, assist you in reaching necessary services and/or telephone the proper authorities for you. The Dispatch Center will also send law enforcement or one of our vehicles when necessary.
http://www.districtgov.org/departmen...ity-watch.aspx |
I ran out of gas (yes, my fault, but still) at 11:00 pm on the golf cart path by Lake Miona. I watched 3 Community Watch trucks drive by -- not one stopped to see if anyone was in true distress -- while I waited for a friend to help me.
I once stopped a Community Watch truck and explained that my neighbor's garage door had been left open for three days, which was not the norm for him (he was an ill-tempered alcoholic with diabetes). I asked if they could either check on him or call the appropriate authorities to do so. They said they would. Two days later, the man's brother called the police to check on his brother. Turns out the man had burned to death in his home after falling into a diabetic coma.
So, when and where are they ever helpful to anyone? They're friendly, they wave hi to you, they chat to the gate guards, they drive around and are a presence, they do write citations if you don't follow the covenants and restrictions, but I don't see where they're truly particularly helpful.