Do you lock your doors

[FG111]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

[dewilson58]

very safe, but still lock up

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Our electronic lock automatically relocks doors after 30 seconds or a minute, so going out on a walk around the hogeye doesn't require keys, and yes its safe, 99.9% of the time, but you don't want to be the 0.1% either

[vintageogauge]

It was nice of you to let those who are looking for an area where homes are not being locked that you have many friends who do exactly that. Before we moved down here, the neighborhood in which we lived had several months of burglaries, all in homes that were not locked. We always lock our doors and set the alarm. In our 51 years of being married we have been burglarized 3 times, twice they broke into the house and one we found out later was the landlord of a home we rented when we just got married. In one instance we were upstairs sleeping, not a good feeling when you realize the next morning what could have happened. Always lock your doors, you really don't know who is living in your neighborhood.

[Topspinmo]

Nowhere in 2020 shouldn’t or should you’re door’s be unlocked. Unlocked doors invites thieves and roofing carpetbaggers to name few around here. Few Drug addicts everywhere looking to finance next fix.

[village dreamer]

no i never lock my doors , but i carry a big gun.

[Velvet]

I always lock my doors anywhere I go in the world. Partly it is just habit. I like to find everything where I left them. This way I can only blame hubby if I can’t find something....

[DeanFL]

.
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for those who respond that you DO NOT lock your doors, thank you.

And, please supply your address and a note when you expect to be gone and for how long.

just sayin'.
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.

[Moderator]

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Thanks.

[Gpsma]

Yep...lock the doors...claymore mines in the foyer too

[Mortal1]

yeah I don't think you're relating what most of do or don't do. most lock their doors, lock their cars and don't leave keys in their carts(except in executive golf cart lots). no idea at where you get your facts, but I would guess you're overstating your facts.

[Nucky]

It is so hard to change a habit that you have had for a lifetime. Guns in N.J. were and are a no-no. I believe the idea that anyone in Florida could be strapped put the thought of a person cruising through your house, garage, or car on hold. I was shamed into leaving the car unlocked for a full night and only made it until about 1 AM. I got up and locked it.

It's a habit that I really don't want to change. As the years pass by I would think security would be more and more important as defending yourself without a weapon is getting harder and harder. Putting any additional challenge in our paths such as not locking up is NOTHING but nonsensical to me. It does not compute.

At one point when I was in N.J. and flipping house as a side hustle, I think I have seen it all. We had a house stripped of all the copper plumbing, another one where they broke in and took the Appliances and the Manuals. During that particular extravaganza, the people who broke in took the life of two beautiful guard dogs. They have companies that rent the Dogs to you. The straw that broke my back was when the actually took the front door from a house that was just inspected and deemed complete the day before. I guess they never saw a house with two sidelights.

Lockup so I don't worry about you! :pray:

We have reasons for locking up. It's been our practice and a survival skill. :boom:

[John41]

Sumter Sheriff recommends locking doors so we do.

[patfla06]

I grew up on Long Island and had a NYC apartment when I was in my twenties.
I always lock up, always put on our alarm, and always know where my purse is. ☺️

[jblum315]

I don’t lock front door because it could be pushed in easily
Other doors and garage always locked

[Boomer]

My idea of a walk on the wild side is to not lock the door into the house from the garage. But the other doors are locked.

We have owned several houses throughout the years, and we always have the locks changed as soon as we take possession. We also always change the garage code.

Even though you are buying from perfectly nice people, you never know how many keys are out there somewhere.

Just think — you could come home to find a stranger drinking your beer or taking a nap on your couch because the family had moved but did not tell him. :shocked:

[Bikeracer2009]

I will assume the people that don't lock their doors or own guns have never had a reason to.

I have electronic locks, several security cameras, lots of fire power and other levels of protection. I've been shot at more than once, robbed, made half dozen arrest at gun point and been in dozens of street fights. I've lived in some bad areas. The last place I lived, a drug dealer came up to me as I was rehabbing my house, she welcomed me to the neighborhood. She was in her 60's and a skinny white lady. She said she was a thief and a drug dealer if I needed anything to let her know. I then installed security cameras and security bars on the doors and windows. I also found out that the Warlocks had a house one block over.

I feel very safe here in TV but old habits die hard.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Yes we do. There are thieves that have moved here also.

[Art cov]

Sometimes it’s the people we allow in our homes that do the stealing. Family, so called friends and people that do service work in and around our homes. Please be careful!

[FG111]

I don’t lock front door because it could be pushed in easily
Other doors and garage always locked

Couldn't agree anymore.
Many front doors here in The Villages have a plastic decorative insert that can be easily pushed-in to gain easy access to a residence. Also a firm push on the front door will also gain an easy entry.

[kaydee]

When we first moved here (19 yrs ago) we did not lock up like we do now. There are toooo many undesirables amongst us & the druggies need to support their habit ... would love some valuables! Yes we lock up even tho our valuables are only valuables to us!

[MandoMan]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

I nearly always lock my house and car. I carry my keys in my pocket all the time. That’s just the sort of person I am.

That said, I don’t recall there being ANY burglaries of houses in The Villages since February. NONE. There were several burglaries of cars parked on the street back around March, I think, but that person was caught. So if you don’t lock your door, you are probably fine. In a grocery store parking lot, if you leave a valuable in the car, lock the car! You never know who might park next to your car.

This is NOT the case in some of the surrounding communities. Many of them have much higher crime rates. Where there is drug abuse and unemployment and poor educations, there is crime. Drug abuse is a huge problem in this part of Florida—but not really in The Villages, except among the children of some of the owners.

[tsmall22204]

Remember, no one here is a Villages native. Everyone has come from somewhere else. Think about that then decide if you want to leave your doors unlocked.

[Travelingal702]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !
.....and do those people (who don't lock up) realize how stupid they would look? They get robbed and when the police come to investigate, they say, "No, nothing was locked up." OH, but of course, they would never admit to their own stupidity.

[oemsp1]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

We're from S. FL also and always lock doors, car everything.

[sjd7767]

Remember, no one here is a Villages native. Everyone has come from somewhere else. Think about that then decide if you want to leave your doors unlocked.

Actually - I am a Florida native 53 years since birth so... I bought here at 28 - How ???
Because they told me the Benjamin's on my cash were all over 100 years each

And no... as a kid, we never locked a door - that only started recently if you hear me

-Steven Dean -

[dewilson58]

I don’t lock front door because it could be pushed in easily
Other doors and garage always locked


Harder to push in if locked. :ohdear:

[Girlcopper]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !
This is not Utopia like some think. Anyone anywhere who leaves any doors unlocked needs to rethink that poor idea. How hard is it to lock ip? Takes about 2 seconds of your day. Would you load up your car with shopping from Kohls or Beals and keep your doors open while you catch some lunch? TV isnt as safe as some think. The age of the residents alone make it vulnerable to crime

[camaguey48]

Sumter Sheriff recommends locking doors so we do.
It should be the norm. Use common sense.

[Girlcopper]

Sumter Sheriff recommends locking doors so we do.
Geeez. We need cops to tell us to lock up???

[Janes]

I can’t believe that this question was even posted with replies

[John41]

I don’t lock front door because it could be pushed in easily
Other doors and garage always locked

There is a police video showing how to harden your front door with several long screws. There are also door hardening kits available. Very easy to do and very effective.

[doodles]

Yes I keep my doors locked. I have a screen for my garage that doesn’t lock but I lock the door into the house. I wouldn’t mind if someone wanted hubby’s junk in the garage 😄

[doyle31]

The houses are so similar, I’m afraid someone will accidentally walk into my house. That is the reason I lock our doors And if we forget when we go shopping or one night I don’t worry about it.

[riley2011]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

No, you’re not being paranoid. I wouldn’t even consider leaving my house or car unlocked. We don’t live in a bubble contrary to what some might say. This is a big city and there are the same problems here as anywhere else.

[Heyitsrick]

I don’t lock front door because it could be pushed in easily
Other doors and garage always locked

Hmm...I'm not really understanding this philosophy. Is the thought that thieves/burglars wouldn't try to access through the front door?

Notwithstanding whether the door can be forced open - and honestly, that's probably true for almost any door - I come from the frame of mind that you're only as secure as your weakest link provides. An unlocked door is about as weak as it gets, security-wise.

Why do people lock car doors? It's certainly not because a car window can't be broken. They do it because it makes it harder for a thief to get into the car without doing extra work - work that could easily draw attention from others.

[jrandall]

I retired from the Miami-Dade Police Dept. Although our crime rate here is considerably lower than Miami, locking home and vehicle doors is a prudent thing to do. Lock up !

[Guitarman1951]

Although most of the Villages area is very safe, it doesn't mean that criminal trolls from the outside aren't cruising neighborhoods looking for an easy mark. It has happened almost throughout the Villages over the years. Someone in our village recently had their bicycles taken out of their open garage while they were home. Leaving doors unlocked, garages open for long periods and especially keys in ignition, is not a good practice here or anywhere.

[cegallup]

Life is filled "PROBABILITIES". Whether you'll be alive tomorrow, get in a car accident today etc,., etc. Some probabilities are higher than others - like a stranger in The Villages trying to enter your house. Car and golf cart keys a little higher.

People from small towns and rural areas generally feel one way; people from big cities might feel differently. I lock my doors out of habit, with little concern for mischief.

I once lived in Houston, in a high-rise bldg. I would go downstairs to the lobby to get my mail. When the ladies sitting sitting on the couches found I didn't lock my door ON THE TWELTH FLOOR, with TWO electronic doors to enter the building they were aghast !

Everyone has their own risk tolerance.

[bilcon]

A few weeks ago, I heard someone stole a bike out of an open garage. Wife went to work, left garage open. A few minutes later husband went to get the bike, and it was gone. It was near Lake Sumter. Sorry for the redundancy, I didn't see the same post.

[gregcharlesnelson@gmail]

Being from rural Minnesota we never locked up. Here we're a little more careful..

[bragones]

Security cameras are cheap and easy to setup. I have several of them and some are visible from the exterior to hopefully deter a criminal. Locking doors keeps honest people out (a criminal will easily get past a lock) but I lock anyways. Why tempt. That being said, 5 years ago, I once forgot my wallet at a driving range. Hours later, I went back to look for it and thought it would be gone for sure when another golfer was hitting from the same spot that I was in. The wallet was right where I left it and the golfer said to me it probably would have still been in the same spot, touched, days from now. That has been my experience in TV, no evidence of crime where I live and I love that but take proper precautions just in case. Its not hard to do.

[Green-Eyed Lady]

I would like to know how it was "noticed" that many do not lock their homes, cars or golf carts? Did the poster personally "try" various doors or vehicles? I never thought about NOT locking up anything, including myself when I am alone in my home or car.

[SacDQ]

If you don’t lock your doors make sure you never let your insurance agent know!

[La lamy]

Having been robbed twice in previous homes (once when I was in the home!!!), I'm super conscious of locking up, even in lovely TV. My issue is that my rental villa does not have extra locks that I can use from inside, so I never know for sure who might use extra keys that are in others' possession or have been used by many before me. Don't want to sound paranoid to landlady, but I wish every rental had those inside locks like hotel rooms do.

[Debski53]

Why test the integrity of others? LOCK your doors!

[pdp07]

Due to the fact that most cars have a garage door transmitter, a suggestion might be to black out or do what you can to not show your home address on anything in your car, ie vehicle registration, insurance card or anything else that may be there.

[Taltarzac725]

Usually yes I keep the doors locked. And a phone to call 911 close by.

[davem4616]

we too came up from south Florida where you locked your doors....after a series of daytime robberies (committed by the lawn mowing guys) in the neighborhood we all signed up for ADT

TV is WAY safer...but I still lock up.

[OhioBuckeye]

Nowhere in 2020 should door’s be unlocked. Unlocked doors invites thieves and roofing carpetbaggers to name few around here. Few Drug addicts everywhere looking to finance next fix.

I’ll bet at least half the residents in TV lock their doors, all doors. If you’re that bold to leave your doors unlocked I think you’ve just been lucky. Or the permanent residents are just trying to convince new people that TV is crime free & the new people coming in don’t have anything to worry about! TV isn’t crime free, you just haven’t told the right people!

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I’ve never locked my door anywhere I’ve lived in Florida , some places I’ve kept the front door locked but left the slider unlocked, one reason is because if they smash through a slider and even a door and it’s raining for hours , the flooring damage could be more expensive then the break in and also because much of my working life was spent in dangerous places and living with an unlocked home gives me some felling of well being ( weird I know lol)

[kendi]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

You’re advertising to any potential thieves by posting this on social media is what you’re doing.

[NancyLee]

Couldn't agree anymore.
Many front doors here in The Villages have a plastic decorative insert that can be easily pushed-in to gain easy access to a residence. Also a firm push on the front door will also gain an easy entry.
Here's an idea. Why don't you have the door replaced and the door jam beefed up?

[EGMeyers]

It is not safe and they are giving you a false sense of security. We were here for six months and got robbed. Now we have a security system and we lock all our doors.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

You’re advertising to any potential thieves by posting this on social media is what you’re doing. I didn’t see anyone on here who keeps there home unlocked putting there address or picture of house on here , although there could be master criminals hacking this site and then selling the information to other master criminals that will come and steal our TV sets ,

[Red Rose]

Not so safe that you leave anything unlocked. I always lock up my car, leave nothing valuable in there, lock up my house whether I am in or out, I don't leave my garage door open and I wouldn't ever leave my key in the golf cart when out and about. Golf carts have been stolen a lot. They just roll it into a truck and off they go. There are steering wheel locks you can buy for golf carts. Cars have been broken into and rummaged for loose change, or anything they can find of value in there, and things have been stolen out of open garages, like bicycles, etc. and homes have been burglarized if left open.

[Red Rose]

It's a very foolish thing to not lock your front door, but lock the garage and other doors. Why make it easy for someone to just open your front door and help themselves because you think the front door is easy to bust open? Besides, busting in would make noise and a burglar wouldn't necessarily want to chance that.

[Topspinmo]

I don’t lock front door because it could be pushed in easily
Other doors and garage always locked

Yes, but the noise will alert you.

[Topspinmo]

I can’t believe that this question was even posted with replies


I can’t believe you replied? :)

[Red Rose]

Not so safe that you leave anything unlocked. I always lock up my car, leave nothing valuable in there, lock up my house whether I am in or out, I don't leave my garage door open and I wouldn't ever leave my key in the golf cart when out and about. Golf carts have been stolen a lot. They just roll it into a truck and off they go. There are steering wheel locks you can buy for golf carts. Cars have been broken into and rummaged for loose change, or anything they can find of value in there, and things have been stolen out of open garages, like bicycles, etc. and homes have been burglarized if left open.

[jimjamuser]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !
They are all making a mistake by leaving their houses open. There IS crime and burglary (definitely) in The Villages. There is only an ILLUSION of safety caused by the gates and the roving VOLUNTEER trucks that burglars can avoid. I know that FIRSTHAND because a few years ago our home was broken into (through a rear window). We were away for only a few days. (the intruders seemed to know that). We lost about $5,000 worth of tools and other items that could be easily sold at pawn shops.The Police found zero fingerprints, which they said was what they usually found. They said that the thieves were practiced and clever and that there have been similar break-ins before in The Villages. It is an easy mark for them. The Police said that they would check the pawn shops for our items. They were NEVER recovered.

It is ONLY my personal opinion, but I believe that the thieves were tipped off to our being away from our house. I believe it was done in coordination with one of the daytime workers, like the lawn mowing and landscapers or maybe roofers. They may be paid for tips about who has what equipment and when a house is ripe for a burglary.

There is plenty of crime in TV Land and it could easily increase as the US suffers record increases in unemployment in the next few weeks. My advice is get some type of security equipment or a security service. Get a hidden safe for valuables. The Villages newspaper and radio is SELLING a perfect and safe lifestyle. But, you can find out reality by checking a crime blotter for this area on the internet. I have also heard (not 1st hand experience) that golf cars are also stolen on a regular basis. And I know, for a fact, that several cars in the Buffalo soft ball parking lot were broken into several months back. There is a dark underbelly to the TV Land perfect world that is ignored by most and newcomers need to become AWARE of.

[graciegirl]

My husband always says about being safe here;

"What could anyone steal that would really, REALLY, matter?"

"Why would anyone come in to harm us when everyone has camera's everywhere? "

And if you don't ....go right now and buy some at Sam's Club.

Locking your doors is not a bad thing, but at this time, we live in one of the safest places in the country.

[Marshaw]

I have tended to not lock house doors. I do however take all keys with me. I just have me er been paranoid about that.

[Topspinmo]

They are all making a mistake by leaving their houses open. There IS crime and burglary (definitely) in The Villages. There is only an ILLUSION of safety caused by the gates and the roving VOLUNTEER trucks that burglars can avoid. I know that FIRSTHAND because a few years ago our home was broken into (through a rear window). We were away for only a few days. (the intruders seemed to know that). We lost about $5,000 worth of tools and other items that could be easily sold at pawn shops.The Police found zero fingerprints, which they said was what they usually found. They said that the thieves were practiced and clever and that there have been similar break-ins before in The Villages. It is an easy mark for them. The Police said that they would check the pawn shops for our items. They were NEVER recovered.

It is ONLY my personal opinion, but I believe that the thieves were tipped off to our being away from our house. I believe it was done in coordination with one of the daytime workers, like the lawn mowing and landscapers or maybe roofers. They may be paid for tips about who has what equipment and when a house is ripe for a burglary.

There is plenty of crime in TV Land and it could easily increase as the US suffers record increases in unemployment in the next few weeks. My advice is get some type of security equipment or a security service. Get a hidden safe for valuables. The Villages newspaper and radio is SELLING a perfect and safe lifestyle. But, you can find out reality by checking a crime blotter for this area on the internet. I have also heard (not 1st hand experience) that golf cars are also stolen on a regular basis. And I know, for a fact, that several cars in the Buffalo soft ball parking lot were broken into several months back. There is a dark underbelly to the TV Land perfect world that is ignored by most and newcomers need to become AWARE of.

Probably drug addict living with mommy close by that observed when you were gone. Most burglaries are tipped offs or stocked to ensure nobody will be home.

The dark underbelly IMO drug addicts moochers.

[Doro22]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

We moved here from S. Fl 11 years ago. We always lock our doors, our car & don’t let the garage door stay up. When in S.Fl we had two house burglaries, hubbies car stolen 2x, one purse snatching in a parking lot. The last house break in they got two pistols and all our flat screen TVs (just ripped right off the walls). One gun was returned by Hollywood police after it was recovered in another crime. My mother had her car stolen 2x, and robbed in her own driveway after being followed from the bank. My aunt was mugged & robbed in front of my parent’s house one Christmas Day. Oh & we lived in a nice neighborhood.

[Curtisbwp]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !
I have lived in TV for 17 years and i have NEVER encountered a single problem. On a scale of 1 - 10 i would rate TV a 9.5. But we will never know what tomorrow brings. Better safe then not.

Si vis pacem, para bellum

[tlshoe]

If Don’t see the point of this post, and it could possibly cause problems.

[George Makrauer]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

You are not paranoid. The examples you point to are either naive, stupid, or both.

[justjim]

Any prudent person locks their doors wherever they live...

[sloanst]

Create a sign for your outside doors that says:
"This door is locked for YOUR safety, not MINE."
Even if the door is unlocked, anyone with criminal intent will think twice.

[equaintance]

Unfortunately I have had a few bad experiences. I left my rake and shovel out front while I went in the back yard to get something.
When I came back they were gone. I looked everywhere and thought I lost my mind but no I never saw them again. The other day I left my new clippers on a chair on my porch overnight and they too were gone. Also, one day when my door bell rand I opened my door and a lady had my screen door open and barged into my house pushing me backwards. She said she was the caregiver. I pushed her back out the door and told her she had the wrong house. Now I lock the screen door also. So maybe it is a good idea to lock doors. We have many outside people coming into The Villages so it is no different than any place else. I don't think we should be frightened, just careful.

[John41]

Door signs.

DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF AMMO, DO NOT EXPECT A WARNING SHOT.

I LOVE MY PIT BULL

[jimjamuser]

Probably drug addict living with mommy close by that observed when you were gone. Most burglaries are tipped offs or stocked to ensure nobody will be home.

The dark underbelly IMO drug addicts moochers.
Very possible. Agreed.

[riamd1954]

Your choice

[jimjamuser]

we too came up from south Florida where you locked your doors....after a series of daytime robberies (committed by the lawn mowing guys) in the neighborhood we all signed up for ADT

TV is WAY safer...but I still lock up.
Yes. I could do without lawnmower people. Maybe soon there will be robotic mowers available at a reasonable price for everyone. Slow growing grass would be nice also.

[John41]

If Don’t see the point of this post, and it could possibly cause problems.

only if you’re a burglar

[pauld315]

Greetings-

Just recently moved to The Villages from South Florida and I noticed that many people here in The Villages don't lock their doors.

Many new friends that I have made contact with here in The Villages not only don't lock their homes, but they also leave their car doors unlocked, some leave their golf cart keys in the ignition and some even leave their garage doors open.

I also noticed that while driving around the new construction areas of The Villages, many of the contractors leave a lot of valuable construction material unsecured.

Am I just being paranoid or is The Villages really that safe ? Thanks !

I don't lock up but I have a loaded shotgun and 2 loaded semi automatics in the house. I also sleep with one eye open.

[tko1208]

I personally don't think you need to advertise this ! Not very smart.

[Topspinmo]

no i never lock my doors , but i carry a big gun.

I guess you don’t nap or sleep either?

[Topspinmo]

I don't lock up but I have a loaded shotgun and 2 loaded semi automatics in the house. I also sleep with one eye open.

At or age you better have both eyes open?

[Velvet]

Lol...I suppose land mines are out of the question....

I feel very safe in TV but still I believe in not leading people into temptations. I lock all my doors.

[Jima64]

you will see the sons and daughter druggies of some residents of the villages that get arrested rpeatedly for crimes of stupidity provided by the residents. Lock up and be safer.

[dadoiron]

Of course I do I'm not daft.

You you knew what I know you would.

We're not living in the 60's anymore.

It only takes one night to ruin your life.

[dadoiron]

Landmines are okay until the first one goes off. Then you have to move quickly.������������������

[prettyw102@aol.com]

We are only here a year but see more and more news stories pertaining to what you replied. For that reason alone, lock up!

[pdfortin]

Why would you post something like this? Please people, think first. Do you think only good people read ? Tell them where you keep your credit card and the pin while you are at it. Perhaps you should see if the entire post can be removed.

[Girlcopper]

I don’t lock front door because it could be pushed in easily
Other doors and garage always locked
Gee. That makes sense. Why lock a useless door since its easy to break in to. Leave it open so the burglars dont have to exert themselves. How about getting a secure front door???

[Hifred]

The Villages is a wonderful place to live and has the lowest violent crime of anywhere I have ever lived. That being said, everyone I know in TV locks their doors and also many of my neighbors have small security cameras on their garage or by their front porch. We have the ring doorbell. I used to live in downtown Chicago on the 11th floor and it took me months after arriving here in TV before I could sleep in a house with a bedroom on the ground level. All my home windows are locked, my doors are locked and my car as well. Also during the day if I am in the front yard I always make sure the back sliders are locked and when I am in the back I lock the front door and keep the key with me., I do love it here but after 16 years of living in Chicago old habits die hard. The first few months it was so quiet here in TV I was scarred to death, because I was worried about someone breaking in. But now that I have settled in I am not tense when I walk like I use to be living in the city. My husband and I feel so thankful for a home in this wonderful community. In Chicago, the shootings were so prolific that we had to stop going for walks at night. There were 3 people shot one of whom was a police officer (2 of whom died) within one block of our home and that was within one month. In our affluent neighborhood their were car jackings and robberies. Most people don't realize that about 175 school aged children in Chicago are shot each year which is more than in war zones. The one thing I do hear about more in TV's and the surrounding areas than I heard about in Chicago is the number of people arrested for Methamphetamine and drugs in general. Not to say that drugs aren't underlying a lot of the Chicago violence it is just not reported the same way as it is here. I think our community watch and sheriff departments are awesome. I also credit cameras by the gates and Florida's tough laws to protect seniors for keeping our community safe.

[Bellavita]

There are many service workers and strangers most good but locking you door is a must.

[Mrprez]

I frequently walk early in the morning, before sunrise, and I see a few sketchy cars and trucks going into and out of the neighborhoods. These are not the type of vehicles that are typical owned by residents. So, who are they? Too early for contractors. I lock my doors. I shake my head at open garage doors, property left outside, even saw one vehicle with the lift gate open. No lights on in our outside the house.

[vinricci]

How do you know? Are you trying people’s front doors and car doors?LOL

[Mrprez]

How do you know? Are you trying people’s front doors and car doors?LOL

It helps to hit the quote button so people will know who you are directing your comments to.

If it was me, did I say anything about people doors or unlocked cars?

[Olsenfiber]

We lived on Long Island for many years and our house was robbed while my wife was picking me up at the airport. The robber(s) bashed in our front door, which was mostly glass, like many in TV. It was January. They took some jewelry and cash from the kitchen and master bedroom, which is typical according to the police. The most expensive loss was the front door. I had to cover the entry with plywood for a week until I could get it replaced. In addition, non- violent property crimes don’t get much reaction from the police or your insurance company, but it does affect your sense of security after it happens.

[La lamy]

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:Door signs.

DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF AMMO, DO NOT EXPECT A WARNING SHOT.

I LOVE MY PIT BULL

[Kerry Azz]

Locks only stop honest people!

[sallyg]

Definitely lock up. There is much traffic around the new area - better to be safe than sorry.

[1948JDG]

My God!! Why not change out the door and get one with a dead bolt. It would be a whole lot safer than the one you have now. Only a suggestion.

[Madelaine Amee]

Like Fort Knox at our house. We had a terrfying experience some years ago. A lovely neighbor who was in dementia got out of her home in the early hours of the morning and was trying to get into ours, banging on the front door and she was absolutely terrified. I called 911 and they told me not to let her in and that they would be there ASAP and they were. Took her back to her home, woke her husband and shortly after that she is in one of the very nice dementia homes here.

[champion6]

Unfortunately I have had a few bad experiences. I left my rake and shovel out front while I went in the back yard to get something.
When I came back they were gone. I looked everywhere and thought I lost my mind but no I never saw them again. The other day I left my new clippers on a chair on my porch overnight and they too were gone. Also, one day when my door bell rand I opened my door and a lady had my screen door open and barged into my house pushing me backwards. She said she was the caregiver. I pushed her back out the door and told her she had the wrong house. Now I lock the screen door also. So maybe it is a good idea to lock doors. We have many outside people coming into The Villages so it is no different than any place else. I don't think we should be frightened, just careful.My goodness! What village do you live in?

[lndcieri]

I was also pretty complacent about locking my doors. Didn't worry if I forgot. That was until my car was stolen from my driveway a couple of years ago. Other cars were broken into also. My car was retrieved in Orlando, so they had traveled a good distance. My car is now always in my garage and doors are locked. Not paranoid, but don't want to make it easier for any one.

[Kenswing]

Even though we currently live in the country I still lock my doors and will continue to do so when we move to The Villages. I just don't see any upside to leaving them unlocked.

[John41]

Having been robbed twice in previous homes (once when I was in the home!!!), I'm super conscious of locking up, even in lovely TV. My issue is that my rental villa does not have extra locks that I can use from inside, so I never know for sure who might use extra keys that are in others' possession or have been used by many before me. Don't want to sound paranoid to landlady, but I wish every rental had those inside locks like hotel rooms do.

There is an alarm you can put on your inside front door handle and take with you when you leave. We used one when on a cruise ship or at a motel. There is also a rod with a “Y” to wedge under your front door handle. And you can cut a dowel to fit in your slider tracks.

If we were ever robbed I would need therapy to sleep at night. Fortunately I married an Annie Oakley.