The burglars

[Talk Host]

Do you suppose, if you were a burglar, would you find that an upscale city with no police patrols would be a wonderful place to burgle?

[beady]

Dah!!!!

Burglers paradise,TV

[nONIE]

Last week there was a very unsavory looking character walking around our neighborhood 3 days in a row. He was carrying a plastic grocery bag and obviously did not live in TV. I hope I did the right thing by reporting him to the gate guard.

The guard told me he would call the police to question him. I have not seen him since, and Im feeling much better about that.

[Talk Host]

What can we, as concerned and interested citizens, do to protect ourselves?

[cabo35]

Your comments regarding crime in the Villages are timely and relevent. Overall, the Villages have offered a very safe environment for its residents. Recently, some trends, burglary for one, seem to be surfacing sporadically. To be certain, I am not suggesting that it is an epidemic, but, to those who are affected, it can be traumatic.

Several factors that need to be considered include the overlapping of policing responsibilities between three counties. A basis for establishing crime patterns and trends is the accumulation and archiving of criminal activity. I don't know whether that is occurring on regional or jurisdictional basis, or, at all in the Villages. Such documentation, which is fairly easy to program with today's technology, would be a useful tool in identifying crime patterns, projecting crime hazard areas and deploying available resources that reduce the likelihood of crimes being committed.

An oversimplified theory of crime spells out three components that need to exist for crime to occur. They are motivation, opportunity and a belief that it will be successful.

As to motive, more than likely most crimes in the Villages are committed by transients from neighboring areas. The motives and remedies are largely social issues that the average Villager can do little about. The opportunity increases or decreases proportionate to the omnipresence created by conspicuous police patrols, good alarm systems, large dogs and good neighbors. The belief that a crime will be successful speaks to investigative efforts that lead to apprehension and conviction rates.

Are the law enforcement agencies, Sumter County Sheriff, Marion County Sheriff, Lake County Sheriff, and Lady Lake PD accumulating, sharing, analyzing and acting on crime data from the Villages?

Would a special joint Villages Task Force be a more effective approach to patrolling and responding to the crime patterns attributable to the demographics and unique circumstances of our community? Who has the political clout and contacts to bring this to the table?

Most experts in the field of crime prevention are in agreement that the best prevention tool is a good neighbor who will pick up the phone and call the police to report suspicious activity.

Just a few random thoughts on a rare cloudy day in the Villages.

[Boomer]

What is the story on alarm systems in TV?

Can systems be set up to sound an alarm outside the house? Noise can work well.

I think I can answer my own question. -probably not allowed because of an expectation of a lot of false alarms.

cabo35: I read everything you write. Thanks for sharing your insight.

[Taltarzac]

Good relationships with neighbors seems to be a key to preventing crime. I know I rest a lot easier since we moved from Palm Harbor to TV where our next door neighbor was a rental owned by a criminal defense lawyer. ;D

Creating a neighborhood watch in your neighborhood might be a good idea even if the Villages' deed restrictions might not let you put out a sign saying that this neighborhood has a neighborhood watch.

[Frangyomory]

After a rash of robberies in Tall Trees, the Tall Trees Ladies Club had Sumter County detectives at their meetings two months in a row with information on starting a neighborhood watch that REALLY is a neighborhood watch.

Bottom line, could not get any volunteers to serve as block captains, etc.

Also bottom line, the detective told us we are our best protection against this type incident. He said CALL 911 if you see or hear anything that does not appear normal for your block. For example, if you hear any sounds in the night, call 911 to investigate. If you see a vehicle around for a few hours or several days, and they don't appear to be doing work at a specific home, call 911. Don't call Village Watch. They will simply call 911 as they are not tasked with any "police" responsibility.

Detective also told us we are in much better shape than other neighborhoods in this area but we must always be on the lookout, especially if we know neighbors are only part time residents.

Each of the gates have hidden cameras and if you call 911 and describe what you have seen, they can verify some information via the photos taken at the gates. Don't wait to call. Call when you see what you think is a problem.

The detective said he would rather come and find nothing than not be called and then later find out that something bad happened.

Many of us in Tall Trees also have started a family contact program where we filled out 3/5 cards with numbers to be contacted for family members if anything happens to us. This way, your family is notified if anything happens to you and you are alone.

Just some pointers we learned from Detective Wolfe of Sumter County.

I have personally noticed that at least once or twice month there are reports of break-ins here. This past week it was Belvedere.

Be on the look out folks.

[billethkid]

No one....NObody...should hesitate for one instant to report anybody who looks like they don't belong or what ever it is that bothers one about them. The worst case is it turns out to be a non event. But even worse, the REAL shady characters who do no belong are counting on those who think twice about reporting ANYBODY!

We have those inexpensive, battery powered alarms you can put on each door or window. When they hear it they are gone.

I have those and my good old fashioned military 12 gage....just racking it is usually sufficient for an intruder to leave. We don't have little ones to worry about so we can have a loaded self defense weapon....it is LEGAL....IT IS EFFECTIVE!

If you are not trained in using one don't do it until you do get the proper instruction.

The neighbor net work is also very effective.

A dog is also a meaningful deterrent.

Lock your doors....especially those that are open to your lanai areas.

When in doubt...ask...challenge...call some body.....the perpetrators count on the silent majority!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTK :cop:

[swrinfla]

And, if you don't mind, someone please tell me why anyone would have as much as $5,300 in cash and jewelry "lying around" in their home? That amount was mentioned in this morning's Daily Sun and it strikes me as an awfully high risk amount! :dontknow:
SWR

[Muncle]

Fran, good comments. It seems Tall Trees is trying to be proactive. Great idea having the local constabulary speak at neighborhood meetings. As you've discovered, though, it's often difficult to get folks to follow thru on stuff when they actually have to volunteer. I like your 3x5 card idea. Likely a hassle to organize and maintain, but well worth it. Having a good relationship and an understanding with a few close neighbors is great, almost mandatory, but it's also nice to have a formal structured program.

Also like BK's idea of the 12 gauge. An armed victim can often turn the tables a bit. http://tinyurl.com/269rhe :hot:


SWR, to some folks, $5300 ain't all that much. Just a cheap Rolex and pizza money. :bow:

[Frangyomory]

How we manage the 3x5 card program is by street and close relationships. For example, four houses in a row give each other the information and everyone knows that those four houses are taken care of and have contact information.

Not difficult for my neighborhood since we are the courtyard villas within Tall Trees, only four blocks and 68 homes in all.

We also gave each other our "cards" which has our contact information to be kept by the phone for contacting each other if needed. Two of our widows have my card and the promise that my husband and I will be there for them, anytime. Thankfully, this cooperative effort is working for us.

I love Tall Trees and Cherry Vale Villas because we have become like a family.

Once a month as many couples as possible get together to celebrate all the birthdays in that month; once a month, all the ladies as can, get together for breakfast and sharing news, etc.

Working out great!

[Barefoot]

I have personally noticed that at least once or twice month there are reports of break-ins here. This past week it was Belvedere.

Fran, are break-ins posted in the Daily Sun? With addresses? Your post got my attention as I live in Belvedere. I obviously haven't been taking the time to read the Daily Sun every day. :o

Just glad I have Brutus Bad Dog living with me!!

[Frangyomory]

Finally, after much "coaching"from residents,the Sun does print the stories. The last one in Belvedere resulted in total of $9 or $10k missing jewelry and cash. One the screen door in back was forced open and in the other, a door had been left open by the home owner.

Every window and door i s locked in my courtyard villa every hour of everyday! Rather safe than sorry. A dog is an excellent preventative. Our Babe goes crazy when anyone comes near our home.

[Floridagal]

I don't think The Villages could be called a "safe place". The gates are a joke and with so many workers walking around anything can happen.

The best thing anyone can do is keep their windows and doors locked and keep an eye out for anything that you feel is not of the norm.

Neighborhood Watch comes down my block but not that often. A visible sign of some protection would deter some of the problems.

[chuckster]

Come on people..........Get over the euphoria of retirement. Did you you leave your doors unlocked where you came from??? I don't think so. People do here.. Don't know why. We lived 1/4 mile from nearest neighbor where I came from and didn't leave doors unlocked when away from home. Why do it here? At least make it difficult for a break and enter. Relax and enjoy but.......be cautious not foolish.

[Rokinronda]

I have seen guards wave VISITORS through without even asking who they were. Saw a truck drive over the curb on 441 near Paradise mail boxes right into the village. I did report it and was pretty much told "oh well". I have been to other communities that ask for ID, call the resident and THEN let you in. I even saw a broken gate stay that way for a week. Lock your doors, always, and be a good neighbor. Mine are great. I entered the Shay gate once very late (2AM) because I forgot my pass and he just waved me in!! He didn't have a clue who I was. I also have deadbolts, slider is secured at night,exterior motion lights, cactus under my windows and 2 dogs. I was broken into years ago and am very alert and cautious!! :cop:DON'T MESS WITH ME!!! I may be armed.

[Muncle]

A couple points ---

I'm going to type this real slowly so maybe it will sink in --- The Villages is NOT a gated community in the controlled access sense. Most of the place is in Sumter County. The roads on which you drive and live (except in villas) are county roads. As such, they cannot be blocked off. Everyone has access. Not sure on this, but I believe at least part of the Marion Co portion is controlled. Have no idea about Lake County or Lady Lake.

Point 2: When the punks who killed Diana Miller were arrested, one was asked why they assumed there would be a lot of money in the Miller house. He responded that everybody knew that all the people in TV were rich (and implied that they'd have stacks of money and valuables lying around). As long as we have a society where kids are brought up this way, to believe in the inherent existence of haves and have nots and that it's perfectly logical for the latter to take from the former what they want, we're going to have problems. And though I hope not, I expect more problems as we move closer to Wildwood with Brownwood.

But all that aside, TV is an incredibly safe place compared to other places I've lived. Before moving here, I spent 10+ years in Northern VA. I loved the area except for one detail. Every day --- not once or twice a week --- every damned day there was at least one killing reported in the news. Normally it was in the District or Prince Georges Co, MD, but too often it was on the VA side or Montgomery Co. I'd also spent about 8 years in St. Louis. While not as bad at the time ('76-'84), it is now definitely catching up in the violent crime arena. This was one of the things that drove me to TV. It wasn't fear of being a victim. I was just getting really tired of the bad news. And for those who read the Orlando Slantinel or catch local news, you see that even that city is getting morbid.

As Chuckster and others have said, in so many word, life's a bi :edit: ch. Neverland doesn't exist, and even the Garden of Eden had a snake in it. Live your life to its fullest, but do it sensibly.

[Russ_Boston]

Muncle - Actually i do leave my doors unlocked most of the time. Stupid? Yes but i guess I've just been lucky. After reading this I'll either get a big dog or a good alarm when i move into TV! But it's not going to stop me!

[The Great Fumar]

Ok guys, Try this on for size ,,,,
How do these cat burglars know where to find the money and jewelry ????????
It might be an inside job....ever wonder why so many of the break ins are not actually break ins.....It wouldn't surprise me that when your having things done inside your home like ( bugs sprayed for , solar tubes installed , fans installed , rooms painted etc etc...) Maybe someone makes a note of what "they see"and leaves a bathroom window unlocked for one of their "not so honest " friends to come in later and abscond with the loot......
Many of the reports say that no visible signs of breaking in was found....
All I'm trying to say is that next time strangers are in your home , when they leave take a minute to check your door and window locks. And you might want to keep your jewelry in a drawer........
food for thought fumar :cop:

[Muncle]

Muncle - Actually i do leave my doors unlocked most of the time. Stupid? Yes but i guess I've just been lucky. After reading this I'll either get a big dog or a good alarm when i move into TV! But it's not going to stop me!


Actually, me too. :joke: I preach a good story but I never claimed to be too smart myself. Generally, I don't even listen to what I say (to which Chelsea would likely agree). Down here, it just feels so great to leave the sliding door to the lanai open all day. Keeps the house aired out pretty well and dissipates that nasty cigarette smoke.