Increased break-ins and robberies?

[Cassie325]

Has anyone heard anything about an increase in Robberies or breakins lately. A friend of mine was speaking with someone from the Villages Sun....they mentioned there had been quite a few lately and had increased.

Just curious to see what the TOTVers know....

[aln]

I don't know about TV's; however, I have seen on the Nat'l news that bank robberies are up nationwide.
Probably has something to do with the economy. .. .. .. YA THINK ? :shrug:


Boy the media don't miss a thing

[novelchick]

it's always wise to keep your doors locked with contractors all around. be alert, keep an eye on your neighbors house, and we all should look out for each other.

[aln]

Very good advice novelchick :agree:

[Best Mom]

:agree:with novelchick and aln. I stopped a break-in. It was my neightbor's house (empty much of the time)and my dog barking scared the robbers.

After chasing all over talking to people who work here, (about my brother-in-laws lost golf club) they all said the same thing. The last 2 years have been hell. A different kind of Villager came in here and they run off with everything. Equipment that had been left at the pools for years disappeared. Games at Rec centers that had been left in game rooms disappeared. Golf clubs disappeared. Even sound systems were taken from Rec centers. Plus these workers have seen the rudness factor go way up. Very Sad!

One more place where things have changed are parking lots.
There has been some reported purse snatching. So just be aware.

[billethkid]

you are talking about a significantly small number compared to the over all population.
Sometimes specifics used in a general discussion tend to give a distorted impression.
The Villages is as safe and free from crime as it ever has been....significantly better than most.

Of course the population has doubled in recent years....hence the incidences increase along with the population. The same exposures, the same kind of people living and moving here, the same kind of people building and maintaining where we live. Nothing ominous.

Key to not becoming one of the victims.....common sense.

BTK

[chacam]

Well, those of you with recreational vehicles in TV RV lots can sleep easier now that the AAC has has voted to spend nearly $19,000 to install cameras in those lots after just three reported break-ins of RV's. How that benefits the rest of us I don't know. The AAC members must be RV owners.

[swrinfla]

btk:

Well said!

:bowdown:

SWR

[F16 1UB]

[QUOTE=chacam;181780] The AAC members must be RV owners.[/QUOTE

Okay what's AAC stand for? :shrug:

[Laker14]

Wannabe here.

I was looking at the webcams, with my feet next to the radiator. It felt just like being in Florida!

I noticed a golf cart with what looked to be 2 sets of clubs in the back, and nobody around. Made me wonder if that's the way it is in TV, or was someone just being overly trusting?

[aln]

F16 1ub
AAC stands for Amenity Authority Committee
For those of us NORTH of 466, we elected a group of people who now control our amenity $$$$$.

And my representative is going to get an e-mail pointing out my dis-satisfaction with his support of the vote to spend $19k on cameras to protect the unused RV's.

I could go on & on but I don't want to hijack this thread.

[SteveFromNY]

Wannabe here.

I was looking at the webcams, with my feet next to the radiator. It felt just like being in Florida!

I noticed a golf cart with what looked to be 2 sets of clubs in the back, and nobody around. Made me wonder if that's the way it is in TV, or was someone just being overly trusting?

That's pretty much the way it is. Some folks never take their clubs off the cart.
Being a native New Yorker, TV seems utterly crime free.

[graciegirl]

Well said BTK. I so agree.

[chuckster]

:agree:with novelchick and aln. I stopped a break-in. It was my neightbor's house (empty much of the time)and my dog barking scared the robbers.

After chasing all over talking to people who work here, (about my brother-in-laws lost golf club) they all said the same thing. The last 2 years have been hell. A different kind of Villager came in here and they run off with everything. Equipment that had been left at the pools for years disappeared. Games at Rec centers that had been left in game rooms disappeared. Golf clubs disappeared. Even sound systems were taken from Rec centers. Plus these workers have seen the rudness factor go way up. Very Sad!

One more place where things have changed are parking lots.
There has been some reported purse snatching. So just be aware.



Sorry but other than a few random acts of stupidity, I have not seen what you are describing where I work (one of the villages facilities). As far as golf club thefts, it has always been a good idea not to go to the square with clubs or anything of value left on your cart or to park in the auto parking lot of championship courses with clubs on your cart. Most crimes have been commited by non-villagers who seize an opportunistic moment. Use your head as you would living any where else.

I honestly don't find it to be a "crime wave" and far less than my former home.

[MMC24]

Sadly, as the economy declines break-ins and pilfering will increase. People that engage in this type of activity view TV's as an easy mark because they think we are old and feeble. But I pity the intruder that tries to break into my or or my neighbor's home because I have a registered and loaded pistol and am very willing to use it should the need arise. :22yikes:

[graciegirl]

I hate to think of new people here reading this thread and thinking we are turning into a ghetto. I have been here for several months and have seen no evidence of any problems.

[Best Mom]

I love it here too. I was just answering the question and repeating what I was told and what I have experienced!!!
I have lived here for several years too. My friends have lived here for years and years. They say it has changed. I will repeat-- I love it here. People just need to be aware.
Going for a walk with my dog now and I feel safe.

[Cassie325]

Well....these are some great posts....I must say that I feel very safe in the area....whether in TV's or in the immediate area...however there does seem to be some theft...but it happens anywhere you live I guess.

I just wanted to get reactions. I can't imagine anyone who knows what TV's really is about actually would think it was turning into a "ghetto" as someone stated. However....it was stated by a Villages Resident/Employee so I thought there was some validation of the statement.

[rekop]

I too have heard of thefts - a girl I play pickleball with mentioned that people have been taking the pickleballs, of all things. And there has always been a problem of people stealing golf clubs off of parked golf carts. I talked to a woman last year who had her home broken into. No, that doesn't make TV a ghetto, but as BestMom said, it just pays for people to be careful.

[ijusluvit]

I'm going to ask my question again - just like my new thread of a week or two ago: "Ever Been a Victim", to which there was NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE! -

OK, are you ready...

"Have you, or anyone you personally know, ever been a victim of a theft in the Villages?"

(I'd rather not hear more about how things are going to hell in a handbasket with all these "new villagers", or any more hearsay about how bad things are.)

My impression is that when you survey an audience of thousands on TOTV, the number of answers will indicate how much of a problem we have.

[Muncle]

Wannabe here.

I was looking at the webcams, with my feet next to the radiator. It felt just like being in Florida!

I noticed a golf cart with what looked to be 2 sets of clubs in the back, and nobody around. Made me wonder if that's the way it is in TV, or was someone just being overly trusting?

As Steve says, that's pretty much how it's been around here for years. However, with the increased reporting of stolen clubs, more folks are off-loading the sticks before going downtown. It's kinda like how one used to leave skis and poles stuck in the snow while enjoying a long lunch. Then scum started stealing equipment and ski locks appeared.

Don't know if there is a connection, but it seems golf club thefts have increased in direct correlation to increased numbers and usage of fitness centers. :shrug: Coincidence? I think not. :cryin2:

[billethkid]

and reach a conclusion based on what you saw it would not be very accurate. Opinions expressed are based on the straw view of crime in TV.
Statistically, much better/safer than many other places one could live.
Extrapolating to "ghetto"? Wow!!!!! Talk about a stretch.
It sounds like the way incidents are reported on the national news...a sneeze and there is talk of a pandemic...a ham sandwich becomes a banquet....and looking at an elephant through a straw and suddenly the world is reported as having turned gray.

Once again as the song goes....accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative (that should help date me, eh?).

BTK

[Best Mom]

:agree:I think the only real way to answer the question is to check police records. That should be easy to do. I just am not that interested. And once again, I realize I can't communicate that well on computer. I never meant to say it is not safe here for most people. I love it here.

Remember it was a Sun employee who said there was an increase in break-ins and robberies.
Not too many Villagers post on TOTV. This board has only a tiny portion of Villagers. So I think a poll here doesn't represent the true picture of the Villages.(Remember we have 70,000 residents)

I have talked to many employees but again-this is a big place and everyone has a different experience.
So I just repeated what I heard and what has happened to me. But I have tried to say that I feel safe here. So...I really agree :agree:with ALL the posts except the ghetto comment.
Maybe there has been an increase in break-ins and robberies. ???:shrug:
Now I am going to bed in my safe house.:icon_wink:

[Barefoot]

I'm going to ask my question again - just like my new thread of a week or two ago: "Ever Been a Victim", to which there was NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE! -
OK, are you ready...
"Have you, or anyone you personally know, ever been a victim of a theft in the Villages?" .

No, I've never been a victim, and I feel TV is extremely safe.

[islandgal]

I think many of us have a false sense of security with the idea of our being our gated community - I certainly did before I moved here.
The intruders don't have to be Villagers.
I would think that the festivities in the market squares, the casual lifestyle, etc. could be very tempting for the bad guys to
invade our idyllic space not to mention the rapidly increasing population which provides more opportunities.

Nevertheless, I feel much safer here because we all look out for each other:wave:

[Barefoot]

No, I've never been a victim, and I feel TV is extremely safe.

I have a large dog. I know a dog might not be a popular option for most people, especially Fumar. But I feel perfectly safe with Brutus Bad Dog at my side.

[KathieI]

I agree with Islandgal and Barefoot, sometimes I feel too safe and that's not smart. Its best to be cautious. I too feel that the Schnauzers help me feel secure, goodness knows no one can get near the house without them yapping like crazy.

[graciegirl]

No. I have not been a victim...ever. Thank Goodness.
Also we have three sets of friends who have lived here for four, twelve, and sixteen years, who recently stated how nice and safe it is here. Obviously people should not tempt anyone with leaving expensive items in carts in parking lots, golf clubs or anything else. There are a lot of non villagers who visit here. The recent theft of golf carts has been solved and the "perp" nailed.

And BTK, I was obviously trying to make a point with the ghetto comment. I certainly did not mean it literally. I grow tired of reading how the sky is falling. It certainly is in the "real world". It is nice to live here in the bubble where it feels just as safe as my neighborhood in Ohio.

AND TOTV has a viewing population of about 5000, which is a good percentage of the actual population of about 70,000. I am sure we have fingers on the pulse here. I will grow concerned when I hear our TOTV people report incidents that have happened to them personally. I rarely get too alarmed when I hear gossip, but will listen to hearsay, just like everyone else if I know and trust the teller personally.

For instance....Muncle. I pretty much agree with and accept as gospel everything he says. Munc...you make a valid point with the correlation of fitness attendees and golf club thefts.

[rekop]

I'm going to ask my question again - just like my new thread of a week or two ago: "Ever Been a Victim", to which there was NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE! -

OK, are you ready...

"Have you, or anyone you personally know, ever been a victim of a theft in the Villages?"

(I'd rather not hear more about how things are going to hell in a handbasket with all these "new villagers", or any more hearsay about how bad things are.)

My impression is that when you survey an audience of thousands on TOTV, the number of answers will indicate how much of a problem we have.
I disagree. The number of answers may just indicate that many people, including myself, don't like to fill out surveys!

[redwitch]

I have not any type of theft since moving here. So far as I know, none of my friends have, either. I have heard of a few incidents and read of a few in the Sun. Considering the size of TV and the number of visitors it gets on a daily basis, I'd say it is a very safe community.

I have been a victim in the past. It is not a pleasant feeling. I have felt safer in TV than I have felt since I was a child. I still take some precautions, though (probably not as many as I should, but some).

We live in a society where some do think taking from others is the way to go. We're also living in an economy where some are truly desparate and will what they feel is necessary to survive. I do think thefts, etc. will increase in TV as time goes by. Let's face it, the surrounding communities are pretty poor and we are seen as very affluent by these communities. That does make TV a viable target.

TV also has a large police presence, both by the local sheriffs and by Neighborhood Watch. We are also known as caring about our neighbors and watching out for them. These are good detriments.

So, use common sense. Lock your doors. Don't leave valuable items in plain sight. If you walk alone in the dark, be aware of your surroundings and who is sharing them with you. I don't think we need to be paranoid or afraid of our own shadows. We just need to be careful.

[Talk Host]

TV also has a large police presence, both by the local sheriffs and by Neighborhood Watch. .

In our neighborhood, on the North side of the Villages, we have not seen a police care "on patrol" for three years. Neighbood watch is not a police agency, they are patroling primarlity to observe deed restriction violations. They don't work night hours as I understand it.

I am the key holder for a neighbor's alarm system. Recently it went off at 4 a.m. while they were away. The alarm company called me and I went to the scene, but, of course, didn't enter the house. It took the Marion County Sheriff 45 minutes to arrive.

[graciegirl]

Did someone break in?

[Best Mom]

The 5000 on here come from all OVER the United states. Many do not live in the Villages.
Go out and ask all your neighbors about this site. I hate to say it but I think most of the 70,000 here don't know about it. Everyone I got to join had never heard of it. If the Sun would let the Admin. advertize.....that is another whole topic!!
Also my older friends here don't even have a computer. A small group jumped all over me when I posted about the experience with my neighbor's house. It was 3 AM. This car was driving slowly around our loop with its lights off. I called Neighbor Watch and was told it would be hours before they could check it out. They were on a shift change.
I called the police and it took them over an hour.

Like I said many times....I do feel safe here. But that was a wake -up call. And the topic is...Increased break-ins and robberies. The key word is INCREASED. Police reports could answer that! You who want to prove a point....just call the different police departments.
Everyone have a great day! I know I will.

[Talk Host]

Did someone break in?

Nobody broke in. A neighbor had gone in very early to feed their cat and forgot to shut off the alarm. When it went off, she left and was scared to come out and tell us it was she who had set it off.

JLK

[chelsea24]

Yes, I agree that common sense is the key and some street smarts. Yesterday I had lunch with a friend at Cici's Pizza. It's buffet style. We were going to go up to the buffet together, feeling completely safe leaving our purses at the table. Then I noticed two teenage boys, very near and I thought better of it. So we took turns going up to the buffet.

In the Villages, I think we get lulled into a false sense of security because everyone is so kind and helpful. In the neighborhood I grew up in, you had to have "street smarts" to get through the week, or day even. And even though the suburb we recently moved from in Illinois was extremely safe too, I always tried to use common sense. Because people are people wherever you go.

When I hear about these petty thefts being talked about, usually the person is partly to blame. Leaving golf clubs behind, or out in the square especially -- just a silly thing to do. You're just asking for trouble.

As far as the Village Watch is in our community, I see them all the time. They even knocked on our door because our neighbor had taken off on a vacation and left their garage door open. They checked the house thoroughly, closed the door and went on their way. They were right on the job.

And as far as the Sheriff's Dept. of Sumter County goes, I can't say enough good things about them. They handled a very sicky moving incident for us and arrived very quickly. In the neighborhood I grew up in, you could've waited days for a cop. (I'm not kidding!) They were all too busy drinking coffee and stuffing down doughnuts. In fact the joke was, if you need a cop, call Majestic Restaurant! The Sumter County Sheriff's Dept. is great, they get an A+ in my book.

This is, indeed, one of the safest area's to live in. C'mon down newbies. :laugh: But don't leave your golf clubs on the back of your carts in the Squares. ;)

[villages07]

Neighborhood watch..... since I'm keeping rather abnormal sleeping hours these days, quite often I am sitting in front of the computer between 2 and 5 am. My guess is that the neighborhood watch patrol car goes by my house on average every 2-3 hours after dark. After dark, I'm sure their primary mission is neighborhood security not deed compliance violations.

I have never seen a Sumter County Sheriff just routinely patrolling in my neighborhood, but, do see them quite often on Canal, Odell, Morse, BV, etc main streets. One of my neighbors unfortunately backed his vehicle into a parked work van not too long ago....Sumter Sheriff was here within 20 minutes to investigate/mediate.

These are my personal observations. Yes, there are property crimes within the Villages, and I doubt all are reported in the Daily Sun, but, I'm a numbers person..... the number of incidents is incredibly low for a community of this size and breadth.

[OpusX1]

We have not been victims but our neighbors were broken into last year and had jewelry stolen and the house was ransacked. They felt but could never prove that contractors working across the street watched their pattern and broke in when they knew no one was home.
Most of the locks are very easily broken. All you need is a similar key and a small hammer or rock. Like the locksmith told me, Locks just keep honest people out.

[chelsea24]

We have not been victims but our neighbors were broken into last year and had jewelry stolen and the house was ransacked. They felt but could never prove that contractors working across the street watched their pattern and broke in when they knew no one was home.
Most of the locks are very easily broken. All you need is a similar key and a small hammer or rock. Like the locksmith told me, Locks just keep honest people out.

Wow! Thanks for posting exactly the way to break in! :1rotfl: See that would be called "uncommon sense." :laugh:

(Just kidding, I know you didn't mean it that way.) ;)

[smalldog]

Small Dog Sez:
this discussion about security sounds somewhat familiar ............ could it be last year about this time with the influx of snow fearing renters ......:shrug: it seems that during these peak times we get people other than the marvelouly mature folk who are here all summer ( the Dreaded Others) and folks who have come here lately discover that you can't leave items like golf clubs ( which now cost more than my first 3 cars) laying around ...... tempting the less endowed( both morally and financally) :ohdear: of the Dreaded Others to improper behavour ......... such as stealing from our golfcarts:evil6: ......... so it seems our bubble is not complete with airtight security .......... and so one must use that rare precious commodity Common Sense :doh: .............. this is after all not a small home town but rather a city ............ I think theft from homes is still pretty rare, at least I sure hope so ..

[EdV]

Here’s a simple $30 solution to the golf bag/club theft problem: Gator Jaws Club Guard (http://www.cypressindustries.com/gator_jaws.htm)

While it won’t stop a determined thief with a pair of cable cutters, it should deter a casual thief from lifting that $300 driver out of your bag while you run into the supermarket for a few things on your way home from the golf course.

[Golf-Tinker]

Golfsmith has Gator Jaws for about $7.

[Bogie Shooter]

Here’s a simple $30 solution to the golf bag/club theft problem: Gator Jaws Club Guard (http://www.cypressindustries.com/gator_jaws.htm)

While it won’t stop a determined thief with a pair of cable cutters, it should deter a casual thief from lifting that $300 driver out of your bag while you run into the supermarket for a few things on your way home from the golf course.
Another way is to put the bag cover over the clubs. Probably won't stop the determined thief....but will stop the casual walker from just lifting the club out of the bag. The effort to unsnap the cover could deter theft.
Just look at the carts parked at LSL, you could drive by and easily pick a club any club!

[wdwduo]

[QUOTE=villages07;181917] My guess is that the neighborhood watch patrol car goes by my house on average every 2-3 hours after dark.

I want to second Villages07's comment about the Neighborhood Watch. When walking early in the morning, before dawn, I've often seen them out and about in the Hadley area. Once I was dressed in dark clothing, they even did a slow roll when they went past me. Seem to be doing their job.
LED

[Talk Host]

[QUOTE=villages07;181917] My guess is that the neighborhood watch patrol car goes by my house on average every 2-3 hours after dark.

I want to second Villages07's comment about the Neighborhood Watch. When walking early in the morning, before dawn, I've often seen them out and about in the Hadley area. Once I was dressed in dark clothing, they even did a slow roll when they went past me. Seem to be doing their job.
LED

I am really confused now. About six weeks ago, I personally had a conversation with the head guy at the deed enforcement office. We were discussing an issue that occurs at 7 a.m. I said, "can't neighborhood watch check on it." The answer was, "no, they don't start til 8 a.m." Soooooo, why would they say that????:shrug:

[Cassie325]

[QUOTE=wdwduo;181978]

I am really confused now. About six weeks ago, I personally had a conversation with the head guy at the deed enforcement office. We were discussing an issue that occurs at 7 a.m. I said, "can't neighborhood watch check on it." The answer was, "no, they don't start til 8 a.m." Soooooo, why would they say that????:shrug:

Jan...that is very odd! Perhaps it is different in each county...but I drive on 441, El Camino and Buena Vista to 466 each morning between 5am and 6am. There are Community Watch vehicles around during this time. I wouldn't say they are driving around...but I do see them at the gates (Polo Ridge, Santo Domingo and Santiago anyway). There are typically vehicles at the different gates....chatting with the gate guards.

I would assume they would not be up this early driving around if they were off duty.

As for the Sumter County Sherriff's.....there are typically 2-3 cars at McDonalds VERY early in the AM.

These are just my personal observations early in the morning.

[Bogie Shooter]

[QUOTE=wdwduo;181978]

I am really confused now. About six weeks ago, I personally had a conversation with the head guy at the deed enforcement office. We were discussing an issue that occurs at 7 a.m. I said, "can't neighborhood watch check on it." The answer was, "no, they don't start til 8 a.m." Soooooo, why would they say that????:shrug:

Just made a phone call to Community Watch. I asked the dispatcher if they patrolled 24 hours per day. His answer was yes, they run 4, 6 hour shifts per day. Their goal is to patrol every village at least 3-4 times. The only exception would be if there was an emergency somewhere in the villages, the drivers may be delayed or not complete their complete patrol. (Guess the head guy at deed enforcement misspoke)

[MMC24]

Here’s a simple $30 solution to the golf bag/club theft problem: Gator Jaws Club Guard (http://www.cypressindustries.com/gator_jaws.htm)

While it won’t stop a determined thief with a pair of cable cutters, it should deter a casual thief from lifting that $300 driver out of your bag while you run into the supermarket for a few things on your way home from the golf course.

Thanks Ed, I went to their website and will purchase one. Great Heads up!!!:bowdown:

[Fourpar]

I bought a couple of eye bolts (1/4"), 5 Ft of chain and 2 locks. With club covers on, the club protector (sunbrella) down and the chain in plain sight, the message is clear: "go mess with someone else's clubs". I know a determined thief could still take 'em, but he/she will have to spend time and effort to do so, and I don't think thieves want to spend either. Too easy to get caught.

It's a sad commentary on the state of affairs here, but it seems increasingly necessary. With all the growth and added "outsiders" on property, there are bound to be some whose interests are not.....pure. :-(

[rekop]

Thanks Fourpar. That's just being smart. There are some on this forum who live in a kind of bubble, not wanting to admit that everything isn't perfect and wonderful, and blah, blah, blah. It's the real world here in The Villages as much as anywhere else, and we need to keep our wits about us.

[golf4me]

I don't leave my clubs in my cart in public places anymore than I would leave my car unlocked with them inside up north. BUT I maintain that this place is reasonably safe and there is no big cause for alarm.

[Fourpar]

I don't leave my clubs in my cart in public places anymore than I would leave my car unlocked with them inside up north. BUT I maintain that this place is reasonably safe and there is no big cause for alarm.

You are absolutely correct. No alarm intended, just common sense.