Ever since we started this forum three years ago, I have been an advocate of some type of police department in The Villages. (there is a fire department) There has been consistant resistance to that idea by many board members. They have said they don't want to incur the expense associated with local law enforcement.
With the size of The Villages constantly increasing along with legitmate concerns such as this one, I still maintain that some type of law enforecment is in order. Even if it is some form of security force. I suppose since The Villages is not a governmental subdivision, they aren't permitted to have a police department per se.
I have been to many private communities that have "armed" security on patrol 24/7. One example is Fripp Island near Beaufort, South Carolina.
The three Sheriff's patrols are not adequately equipped to provide consistant, specialized enforcement in The Villages.
Another idea would be to contract with the three Sheriff's departments to have cars assisgned inside the Villages all the time. We did that with many smaller communites when I was a deputy in Ohio. Los Angeles County contracts deputies to cities that don't have their own force. These deputy patrols would work inside the Villages only, but be on call for emergency assistance outside if needed.
JLK
|