Is it time for police?

[Speedie]

Seems to me that as TV now far exceeds 100,000 people that we should form our own police dept.

Noticed that they are cancelling the coverage agreement with Lady Lake for Spanish Springs square saving $100,000/year.

We already pay about $7 million annually for Village Watch patrols (I apologize if the amount is not correct). These patrols have no authority or interest in stopping crime. All they can do is refer to the Sheriff or city police agencies nearby

For the money already being spent, I think we should be able to have real officers on patrol focused on TV needs.

Recently the ambulance services plan was updated, I think the same type arrangement could be arranged for police coverage.

TV is growing up fast. The city crimes will be growing up quickly too.

Lets be proactive

[villagetinker]

I think there is a lot more to be considered before we jump at our own police department, actually I am very satisfied with the current coverage with the exception of speeders.

[Bogie Shooter]

I think there is a lot more to be considered before we jump at our own police department, actually I am very satisfied with the current coverage with the exception of speeders.

I agree.

[Joe V.]

Seems to me that as TV now far exceeds 100,000 people that we should form our own police dept.

Noticed that they are cancelling the coverage agreement with Lady Lake for Spanish Springs square saving $100,000/year.

We already pay about $7 million annually for Village Watch patrols (I apologize if the amount is not correct). These patrols have no authority or interest in stopping crime. All they can do is refer to the Sheriff or city police agencies nearby

For the money already being spent, I think we should be able to have real officers on patrol focused on TV needs.

Recently the ambulance services plan was updated, I think the same type arrangement could be arranged for police coverage.

TV is growing up fast. The city crimes will be growing up quickly too.

Lets be proactive


TV is governed by Community Development Districts. Section 190.011, Florida Statutes provides for the general powers of a CDD. Section 190.012, Florida Statutes gives special powers of the CDD to a defined set of services and facilities. They are to finance, fund, plan, establish, construct or operate within the district. Police powers for CDD is prohibited by this statute.The counties and the cities hold police powers by law.

[Stu from NYC]

TV is governed by Community Development Districts. Section 190.011, Florida Statutes provides for the general powers of a CDD. Section 190.012, Florida Statutes gives special powers of the CDD to a defined set of services and facilities. They are to finance, fund, plan, establish, construct or operate within the district. Police powers for CDD is prohibited by this statute.The counties and the cities hold police powers by law.

Guess that answers that question. Thank you

[blueash]

TV is governed by Community Development Districts. Section 190.011, Florida Statutes provides for the general powers of a CDD. Section , Florida Statutes gives special powers of the CDD to a defined set of services and facilities. They are to finance, fund, plan, establish, construct or operate within the district. Police powers for CDD is prohibited by this statute.The counties and the cities hold police powers by law.

You can cite all the Florida laws you like. But if the Morse clan wants a change they will get a change. Mr. Hage in the House and Mr. Baxley in the Senate will be happy to write whatever new sentences need to be inserted into Florida law to make the family happy. Keep those dollars coming too.

[Joe V.]

You can cite all the Florida laws you like. But if the Morse clan wants a change they will get a change. Mr. Hage in the House and Mr. Baxley in the Senate will be happy to write whatever new sentences need to be inserted into Florida law to make the family happy. Keep those dollars coming too.

The Morse family is the real bogeyman, huh? Do you actually live in TV? If you do, why?

[Bogie Shooter]

TV is governed by Community Development Districts. Section 190.011, Florida Statutes provides for the general powers of a CDD. Section 190.012, Florida Statutes gives special powers of the CDD to a defined set of services and facilities. They are to finance, fund, plan, establish, construct or operate within the district. Police powers for CDD is prohibited by this statute.The counties and the cities hold police powers by law.

:boom:

[Bogie Shooter]

The Morse family is the real bogeyman, huh? Do you actually live in TV? If you do, why?

:boom:

[Spalumbos62]

The Morse family is the real bogeyman, huh? Do you actually live in TV? If you do, why?

Why that response? I believe he was stating his point of view, no one has the right to be that rude.
I think his statement was ambiguous, I took it the positive way...if the people want it...it will go thru meetings via the Morse family, they support government monetarily ...to a very large number, in turn the constituents make things happen....not a bad thing...back off jezzzz

[DAVES]

Seems to me that as TV now far exceeds 100,000 people that we should form our own police dept.

Noticed that they are cancelling the coverage agreement with Lady Lake for Spanish Springs square saving $100,000/year.

We already pay about $7 million annually for Village Watch patrols (I apologize if the amount is not correct). These patrols have no authority or interest in stopping crime. All they can do is refer to the Sheriff or city police agencies nearby

For the money already being spent, I think we should be able to have real officers on patrol focused on TV needs.

Recently the ambulance services plan was updated, I think the same type arrangement could be arranged for police coverage.

TV is growing up fast. The city crimes will be growing up quickly too.

Lets be proactive

The devil is in the details, the cost? The cost is far more than whatever the salary is. Car? Equipment? BENIFITS? Insurance covering not only the police officer but the Villages as well.

Then, would the VILLAGES POLICE be able to operate outside the villages.
Pursue a criminal on the other side of the gates.

Vigilante justice? Caught in the villages, tried in the villages and hung in the villages?

Most of this had been tried in the past-the reason why it does not exist today.

[Mrprez]

Why not take it another step and secede from Sumter, Lake and Marion and form our own county.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Generally, law enforcement agencies must be operated by incorporated cities, of which The Villages is not. There are LE agencies that are not cities, such as counties, special districts, college and school districts, etc., however these are all public entities. Again, The Villages is not a public entity.

However, I know of very few precedents (all since long gone and none in Florida) where private entities (like The Villages) created public law enforcement agencies.

The underlying issues are no simple undertaking. Not only the likelihood of altering state law, but then MOUs must be drafted, approved, and implemented with at least three counties and several cities for operational jurisdiction carve-outs. Mutual aid MOUs will also need to be worked out and approved by multiple entities.

Then there are additional issues, such as the capital expense for buildings, vehicles, communications centers/equipment/personnel, salaries, benefits, initial and on-going training, linkages to state databases, certifications from state POST-type agencies, etc. Then you have insurance and liability issues, ad infinitum. Then we can talk about whose jails The Villages P.D. would use to book and hold bodies prior to and then again after arraignment? Small holding cells within T.V., then remanding to County custody post arraignment? That's another MOU to arrange. Small (any) holding cells require an entirely different bureaucracy of requirements, certifications, minimum needs, and inspections.

Currently, the most commonly heard complaint is speeding and golf cart driving.

I'm thinking the crime level has not risen to the extent, and the service from existing agencies has not sunken to a level, that such an undertaking is practical, economical, or even desirable.

But what do I know, I'm just some guy on a laptop without any practical or educational background in this sphere, right?

[Papa_lecki]

The Villages is LITERALLY the safest place in the country (according to FBI stats). You’re solving a problem that doesn’t exist.

[frose]

Seems to me that as TV now far exceeds 100,000 people that we should form our own police dept.

Noticed that they are cancelling the coverage agreement with Lady Lake for Spanish Springs square saving $100,000/year.

We already pay about $7 million annually for Village Watch patrols (I apologize if the amount is not correct). These patrols have no authority or interest in stopping crime. All they can do is refer to the Sheriff or city police agencies nearby

For the money already being spent, I think we should be able to have real officers on patrol focused on TV needs.

Recently the ambulance services plan was updated, I think the same type arrangement could be arranged for police coverage.

TV is growing up fast. The city crimes will be growing up quickly too.

Lets be proactive
make the village watch peace officers with the power to arrest and write tickets. I really don't think that anyone wants to put on a target even in the villages so a police force I don't think is an option..

[MrFlorida]

No thanks, we're good....

[Stu from NYC]

The Morse family is the real bogeyman, huh? Do you actually live in TV? If you do, why?

I do not think he was saying the Morse family is the bogeyman but they do have a huge amount of power and they use it in their best interest, sometimes to help us but often to increase profit margins.

Having said this do like it here.:icon_wink:

[tophcfa]

Seems to me that as TV now far exceeds 100,000 people that we should form our own police dept.

Noticed that they are cancelling the coverage agreement with Lady Lake for Spanish Springs square saving $100,000/year.

We already pay about $7 million annually for Village Watch patrols (I apologize if the amount is not correct). These patrols have no authority or interest in stopping crime. All they can do is refer to the Sheriff or city police agencies nearby

For the money already being spent, I think we should be able to have real officers on patrol focused on TV needs.

Recently the ambulance services plan was updated, I think the same type arrangement could be arranged for police coverage.

TV is growing up fast. The city crimes will be growing up quickly too.

Lets be proactive

The cancellation of the $100k agreement for coverage in Spanish Springs is a symbolic FU to the Lady Lake officials who didn’t rubber stamp apartments in the buildings around the square. The money is chump change, it’s about the message.

[Stu from NYC]

The cancellation of the $100k agreement for coverage in Spanish Springs is a symbolic FU to the Lady Lake officials who didn’t rubber stamp apartments in the buildings around the square. The money is chump change, it’s about the message.

Interesting

[BillY41]

Excellent Idea. Presently The Villages has one police department and 3 sheriff offices covering the respective geographical areas. What about the possibility of 'special police' armed and with the power of arrest to patrol The Villages. Utilizing the police department facility where the crime occurs and be included in the present 911 system?

[DaleDivine]

I think there is a lot more to be considered before we jump at our own police department, actually I am very satisfied with the current coverage with the exception of speeders.

Totally agree...
:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

[billethkid]

No!!

[CWGUY]

Excellent Idea. Presently The Villages has one police department and 3 sheriff offices covering the respective geographical areas. What about the possibility of 'special police' armed and with the power of arrest to patrol The Villages. Utilizing the police department facility where the crime occurs and be included in the present 911 system?

:) Actually it's 3 Police Departments and 3 Sheriffs' Offices.

[Bilyclub]

Everything south of 44 and the Brownwood square area is Wildwood so they already have Wildwood Police. Then you have Lady Lake and Fruitland Park. I believe the farthest section will be in Leesburg. I think all the current Police do a fine job at keeping the criminals out.

[Bilyclub]

:) Actually it's 3 Police Departments and 3 Sheriffs' Offices.

People always forget about Fruitland Park.

[Bogie Shooter]

Excellent Idea. Presently The Villages has one police department and 3 sheriff offices covering the respective geographical areas. What about the possibility of 'special police' armed and with the power of arrest to patrol The Villages. Utilizing the police department facility where the crime occurs and be included in the present 911 system?

NO!

[Number 10 GI]

Excellent Idea. Presently The Villages has one police department and 3 sheriff offices covering the respective geographical areas. What about the possibility of 'special police' armed and with the power of arrest to patrol The Villages. Utilizing the police department facility where the crime occurs and be included in the present 911 system?

Chicago PD has approximately 12,000 police officers, maybe you would feel safer living there.

[Speedie]

People always forget about Fruitland Park.

Gee I wonder how Fruitland Park and Wildwood were able to set up police depts before they became flush with TV tax revenue?

100,000 plus people and no dedicated police dept.

Where else but TV would this be considered normal?

But we pay more for community watch than either of these cities pays for their whole police dept

[kkingston57]

You can cite all the Florida laws you like. But if the Morse clan wants a change they will get a change. Mr. Hage in the House and Mr. Baxley in the Senate will be happy to write whatever new sentences need to be inserted into Florida law to make the family happy. Keep those dollars coming too.

Would suspect that they can care less as there does not appear to be any type of money motivation on this idea.

[Joe V.]

Gee I wonder how Fruitland Park and Wildwood were able to set up police depts before they became flush with TV tax revenue?

100,000 plus people and no dedicated police dept.

Where else but TV would this be considered normal?

But we pay more for community watch than either of these cities pays for their whole police dept

How much do we pay for community watch?

[Bill14564]

How much do we pay for community watch?

I believe the answer can be found on the VCDD OMB page (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/budget/budgets.aspx?district=sl).

[Joe V.]

How much do we pay for community watch?

I asked Speedie because he claims to know this.

[Bill14564]

I asked Speedie because he claims to know this.

sorry, missed that.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Actually, there are enough of us retired LEO’s in TV where someone could easily stop a crime IF they wanted to get involved.

[Bilyclub]

The Sumter County Deputies advise retired coppers to call 911.

https://youtu.be/G-VJNJhPCNo

[Gpsma]

YES...we need our own police force.

Who else would arrest the drunks or the wife abusers?

Thats the level of crime here.

[tophcfa]

YES...we need our own police force.

Who else would arrest the drunks or the wife abusers?

Thats the level of crime here.

That’s because criminals seek the path of least resistance. They rarely break into Villages homes because they know a large percentage of Villagers are packing heat. Criminals these days are gutless and try to rob your identity through the internet.

[Speedie]

How much do we pay for community watch?

Joey Boy. $4.8 million annually

Before you ask another snarky question, Fruitland Park PD budget is about $2 million annually with almost 20 sworn officers

[Bilyclub]

YES...we need our own police force.

Who else would arrest the drunks or the wife abusers?

Thats the level of crime here.


If you read the online rag the domestic arrests in TV pretty much are split down the middle with equal amounts of husband abusers and wife abusers.

[Joe V.]

Joey Boy. $4.8 million annually

Before you ask another snarky question, Fruitland Park PD budget is about $2 million annually with almost 20 sworn officers

Now, according to US Census numbers, Fruitland Park, Florida Population in 2020 is 12,638. The Villages is close to 130,000. Let's say, for those with no math skills, the Fruitland Park population is about 10.5 times smaller than TV's.

Take your 2 million Fruitland Park budget number and times it by 10.5 That means 21.0 million yearly would be needed to pay and operate a hypothetical TV police department, since it is currently prohibited by law, annually. Oh, and don't forget the start up costs of buildings, communications equipment, guns, cars, training, health insurance, and I could go on.

A non-starter, if you can follow me here.

[Stu from NYC]

YES...we need our own police force.

Who else would arrest the drunks or the wife abusers?

Thats the level of crime here.

What about the people who knock on our door offering to sell us some service?

[Speedie]

Now, according to US Census numbers, Fruitland Park, Florida Population in 2020 is 12,638. The Villages is close to 130,000. Let's say, for those with no math skills, the Fruitland Park population is about 10.5 times smaller than TV's.

Take your 2 million Fruitland Park budget number and times it by 10.5 That means 21.0 million yearly would be needed to pay and operate a hypothetical TV police department, since it is currently prohibited by law, annually. Oh, and don't forget the start up costs of buildings, communications equipment, guns, cars, training, health insurance, and I could go on.

A non-starter, if you can follow me here.

Just have sheriff deputize the existing community watch, already have patrol cars, building, communications.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Just have sheriff deputize the existing community watch, already have patrol cars, building, communications.

Have you seen some of the old farts in the Community Watch program? Don’t think they need to be deputized and they surely don’t need carry a weapon.

[Speedie]

Have you seen some of the old farts in the Community Watch program? Don’t think they need to be deputized and they surely don’t need carry a weapon.

Razor
Are you available? I think you already have the experience and training necessary.
Seriously, the old geezers (like me) would need to be retired again.

[davem4616]

create our own police force??? IMHO, this sounds like a solution looking for a problem

[ex34449]

You can cite all the Florida laws you like. But if the Morse clan wants a change they will get a change. Mr. Hage in the House and Mr. Baxley in the Senate will be happy to write whatever new sentences need to be inserted into Florida law to make the family happy. Keep those dollars coming too.

I think that is the single biggest problem nowadays. You have to know someone to get anything done in Tally. I care to fight my own fight. If it's a real issue, people will get behind you and in numbers, people become an irresistible force.
Sorry, I've always been the guy that supports the underdog as long as the dog is correct and reasonable.

[Two Bills]

Have you seen some of the old farts in the Community Watch program? Don’t think they need to be deputized and they surely don’t need carry a weapon.

Have you seen the shape of some deputies and PO's?
I am 82 with dodgy knees, and a wonky back, but I still fancy my chances in a foot race with some of them!

[MrFlorida]

Do you know how much it costs to staff and operate a police dept.? Your amenity fees would skyrocket.

[fdpaq0580]

Do you know how much it costs to staff and operate a police dept.? Your amenity fees would skyrocket.

Staffing is small money. The lawsuits are the real money.😕

[Number 10 GI]

Is there some kind of crime wave in TV that I haven't heard about????