[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Memorandum
To: Janet Tutt, District Manager
From: Michael S. Tucker, E.F.O.
Fire Chief
Re: Email Concern
Date: April 14, 2010
On Monday, April 12th, VCCDD staff began to receive an unusual amount of email
originating from a single individual within the community. The email was entitled “Keep
your doors locked.” The email described some situations in which homeowners had
experienced either someone in their home, or attempting to enter their home. Due to the
number of emails as well as the resulting aura of “fear” resulting from these emails, staff
made contact with the individual originating the email in an effort to gain a better
understanding of the situation.
Battalion Chief Scott Wilder was able to make contact and discovered that, as with all
rumors, there are some parts that are factual while the majority of the story – especially
when spoken – takes on a slightly different life than when passed along as gospel in the
written form of an email. The individual initiating the email had, in fact, been at a
friend’s home as the friend was preparing to move into the new home. At this point the
home was vacant and the two individuals were sitting on the floor. While sitting there, a
man fertilizing a neighbor’s yard did attempt to open the door. The individual in question
was in fact wearing a uniform of the company he worked for and a company vehicle was
witnessed in the area as well. When approached, the individual stated that he was trying
to locate a new client for whom he was supposed to provide service.
At this point the “fertilizer man” and the two individuals parted ways, and neither of the
individuals felt it necessary to contact law enforcement. Battalion Chief Wilder has also
been in contact with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to advise them of the situation and
to determine if any other similar situations had been reported. To date no other similar
situations have been reported. In retrospect the situation involving the “fertilizer man”
appears to be a serious error in judgment as to how this man conducted business and not
an attempt to illegally enter private property.
Hard Work, Stewardship, Hospitality, Creativity
2
Battalion Chief Wilder also inquired as to her including a description of the second
incident in which a homeowner came out of the shower to discover a woman in her home
holding paper towels. At this point in the conversation the email initiator stated that she
did not have any factual information of this incident, and stated that she had only “heard”
about this incident at a “social” function. This same incident was described to VCCDD
staff more than a year ago as well. When asked about this incident Sumter County
Sherriff’s personnel also did not have any reports of an illegal entry described other than
the rumored incident.
The misinformation being transmitted via email has accomplished scaring several
property owners, but it does not appear to point to a rash of illegal entry incidents by
criminals. VCCDD staff is continuing to work with the law enforcement agencies of the
respective jurisdictions to determine if any further actions need to be taken. Staff
continues to encourage residents to contact law enforcement in situations where they feel

I'm curious, how does one come into possession of this memorandum? It was addressed to Chief Tucker and not to "everybody on Talk of The Villages." I'm guessing that you have permission to post this private memorandum publicly.