Break-in Village of Sanibel

[TraceyMooreRN]

Heard at Water Volleyball tonight there was a house in Sanibel that was broken into--front door kicked in and house messed up--jewlery and cash missing?? Happened today at 1100 am??? Anyone have further info??

[applesoffh]

I was playing shuffleboard at Captive this morning and we heard sirens around that time. This is distressing to read...

[justjim]

Anybody know the street?

[keithgerri]

It happened in the middle of the block on Vanilla Leaf Pl just off Pinellas. Know the neighbors so don't want to go into particulars but is a sad situation for the Villages

[justjim]

Somebody was really "brave" to knock down the door in the middle of day and take time to ransack the house. Wow! I live in Sanibel and this is unreal.

[ilovetv]

And people here roll their eyes and look at you like you're crazy when you say you have a monitored alarm system, just like many of us had in any other suburban, city or rural neighborhood across the country.

[missypie]

That is why I am very weary of people coming into my home, not that I have anything, but still.

[SusanOfWoodbury]

Where the occupants home?

[anarick]

That is really sad. I hope they catch the perpetrator/s.
Does anyone have stats on how often break-ins occur in TV.

[graciegirl]

It happened in the middle of the block on Vanilla Leaf Pl just off Pinellas. Know the neighbors so don't want to go into particulars but is a sad situation for the Villages

Did they break down the front door? That would not be a small effort and would take an implement, I would think. Or did they go through the back sliders? They can be forced if they don't have a stick in them.

I have now lived here for five years, the first four half time. I have never spoken or heard from anyone personally or knew anyone personally that knew anyone personally that had a break in. There was jewelry taken from two or three homes in the middle of the day while the owners were away north of 466, reported on this forum and in The Daily Sun. If I remember correctly, the son of a resident was arrested. There was a sub contractor arrested for stealing appliances from a home not yet closed reported in The Daily Sun. Golf carts were stolen and they caught the son of the resident who was doing it and selling them to a person off campus, also reported in The Daily Sun.

It is as safe here as it was in Ohio in my opinion. I am impressed with the new security systems using cameras. They are installed all over the inside and outside of homes, hidden from plain view and you can access them from your smart phone when you are away. (I don't sell them. I get checks directly from Gary Morse, remember? He gave me my house);)

Is Vanilla leaf completely sold out or only partially inhabited?

I haven't read the paper yet this morning. If it isn't in the paper someone ELSE please call the news editor, (Reba?). I think I have pithed her off because I have called several times to check on things.

[jebartle]

I feel safe in TV....We have residents that are retired and check out any strange behavior in the neighborhood, which is unlike our home in NC with neighbors that have both members of the family working....Plus I would say that a greater percentage of our neighbors (retired military) are ARMED....Granted we do have a higher percentage of snowbirds south of 466 which does make them more vulnerable, but we do have Community Watch and every gate has a camera...So there are definitely pluses for living in TV...Sure hope the family robbed is OK and their items are recovered and the culprits go to the big house.

[mickey100]

I have read at least 1/2 dozen reports of house break-ins, quite a bit of golf cart thievery, golf clubs being stolen off the carts, etc. over the past couple years. There are no security gates here, so anyone can get in. Keep your doors locked when you're not around, and don't leave your golf cart where you can't see it.

[nitehawk]

Did they break down the front door? That would not be a small effort and would take an implement, I would think. Or did they go through the back sliders? They can be forced if they don't have a stick in them.

I have now lived here for five years, the first four half time. I have never spoken or heard from anyone personally or knew anyone personally that knew anyone personally that had a break in. There was jewelry taken from two or three homes in the middle of the day while the owners were away north of 466, reported on this forum and in The Daily Sun. If I remember correctly, the son of a resident was arrested. There was a sub contractor arrested for stealing appliances from a home not yet closed reported in The Daily Sun. Golf carts were stolen and they caught the son of the resident who was doing it and selling them to a person off campus, also reported in The Daily Sun.

It is as safe here as it was in Ohio in my opinion. I am impressed with the new security systems using cameras. They are installed all over the inside and outside of homes, hidden from plain view and you can access them from your smart phone when you are away. (I don't sell them. I get checks directly from Gary Morse, remember? He gave me my house);)

Is Vanilla leaf completely sold out or only partially inhabited?

I haven't read the paper yet this morning. If it isn't in the paper someone ELSE please call the news editor, (Reba?). I think I have pithed her off because I have called several times to check on things.

The OP said the front door

[upstate]

If the door was kicked in, that sounds like a home invasion, especially if the dwelling is occupied. When we were on our LSV, I noticed the doors and the locks were not high quality and would be relatively easy to force and gain entry. This had the potential for going bad and fast, for the homeowner or the bad guy. I hope that the owners are well and a quick arrest is made.

[graciegirl]

The OP said the front door

Wow. At eleven in the morning in our village there is always someone about, riding bikes, golf carts, walking dogs, etc. Wonder how they got away with it? Hope there were some cameras on other houses.

We had keys and were receiving furniture for friends not yet moved in yesterday in Sanibel and The Village Watch stopped to verify us, and the Southern Lifestyle truck was parked in front.

[asianthree]

Things can be replaced its just so sad

[TraceyMooreRN]

Well it might take me several minutes to attempt to kick in a door. However, back in Virginia I almost had someone gain entry with me in the house. I saw three suspects entering my driveway on foot in mask! So- I dead bolted my door and called 911. They attempted to kick the door in but something spooked them--(I had dogs). No entry gained.

However--they busted out my whole door jam in one kick! Not sure which one did (big guy or all three)..but ONE kick and my door was twisted and could easily had been pushed opened again.

So--FYI, if you have not ever tried to KICK in a front door--I think that it can be done within seconds!:police::police:

Keep an eye out please-- I don't live far from that area!

[upstate]

Depending on the quality of the door and lock, yes it can be kicked in relatively easy.

[Cedwards38]

Just goes to remind us that we don't live in a bubble, or a gated community. TV is fantastic, but no matter where you are, there will be people who try to take advantage of others. This may happen once in a blue moon, but I don't want that once to be me, so I have a security system. They see my sign and move on to something else. Even stupid burglars are smarter than that. Why set off an alarm, and have the police dispatched when they can go somewhere else without those deterrants. Call ADT, Frontpoint, Vivant, or some other security system provider and have peace of mind. I use Frontpoint and I couldn't be happier.

[asianthree]

You know we have posted on to have a system and most of us said no..now I am thinking a little different.

[Wing-nut2]

Many people on this board say things like this don't happen in TV. Is this the first time?

[gomoho]

Or you could get a big barking poop machine - my two would scare off Godzilla - now if they had a gun that could be a different story. We lived in "the hood" in historic Wilmington NC and I never hesitated to let people know where my two fur friends lived and never had a problem; however, one day the alarm went off while I was home (took me a half hour to rip the wires out of the wall to silence it) and no one even came to see if their was a problem. Alarms were so common place most people just ignored them.

[gustavo]

Just goes to remind us that we don't live in a bubble, or a gated community. TV is fantastic, but no matter where you are, there will be people who try to take advantage of others. This may happen once in a blue moon, but I don't want that once to be me, so I have a security system. They see my sign and move on to something else. Even stupid burglars are smarter than that. Why set off an alarm, and have the police dispatched when they can go somewhere else without those deterrants. Call ADT, Frontpoint, Vivant, or some other security system provider and have peace of mind. I use Frontpoint and I couldn't be happier.

Can I just get a sign without the alarm, that would accomplish the goal of moving the burglars to my neighbors house, no?

[BettyCrocked]

Can I just get a sign without the alarm, that would accomplish the goal of moving the burglars to my neighbors house, no?

You can get fake cameras and alarm stickers on ebay.

[applesoffh]

Was there an article in today's Sun? I looked, but didn't see one.

[Tweety Bird]

That is why I am very weary of people coming into my home, not that I have anything, but still.

They didn't just come in, the knocked down the door! Time for jail bars!

[duffysmom]

To kick in a door the perps had to know that the home owners weren't home so they probably observed them leave. Or perhaps they rang the bell first. Who knows but I'm not surprised or even concerned. I am vigilent about security and know that bad people live everywhere so take precautions, get deadbolts, an alarm system if that helps you to feel secure and know that random crime is everywhere. We are an enclave that looks affluent and seniors are considered sitting ducks. Still I feel safter here than anyplace else I've lived and I've lived in some upscale communities.

[justjim]

Seems to be a lot we don't know about this incident or at least have questions. Did someone knock the door down and take time to ransack the house at 11am? Or was this when the police arrived following maybe a break in during the night when everybody in the neighborhood was sleeping? Also, I assume the residents were not home at the time of the break in, no? We all know there are "bad people" everywhere----even in TV. I do know this area is built out or very very close to build out and there would have been some people in the neighborhood out and about at 11am on any given day just like any village neighborhood in TV. OP, do you have any further details without getting into privacy issues which I'm sure all of us want to respect??

[perrjojo]

Can I just get a sign without the alarm, that would accomplish the goal of moving the burglars to my neighbors house, no?

We had a neighbor in our previous neighborhood who worked for a Security company and sold security systems. He had a sign and no system. Too funny.

[bike42]

I love this statistic from our former (urban) county up north: 95 PERCENT of all break-ins occurred in homes WITHOUT DOGS. A barking dog is your best deterrent.

[Barefoot]

I love this statistic from our former (urban) county up north: 95 PERCENT of all break-ins occurred in homes WITHOUT DOGS. A barking dog is your best deterrent.

I do believe that barking dogs are a very good deterrent. I'm glad to hear that my 70 lb dog is finally earning her dogfood. If I answer the door with my two dogs visible, even huge burly men take a step backward. It's so easy to purchase a "fake" security sign. I'm not sure how effective they are.

Bottom line, our neighbors are our best security system ever. I hope we all continue to watch over each other.

[golfer808]

Duplicate post

[Cedwards38]

Can I just get a sign without the alarm, that would accomplish the goal of moving the burglars to my neighbors house, no?

LOL. I suppose it would, but in a world where some imbecile will kick a front door down at 11:00 AM in a busy neighborhood and ransack the house, I want a monitored system that will actually provide police assistance, sound an alarm, and notify me when someone breaks into my home. I wish all my neighbors in The Villages would get some monitored system, and thus move the burglars to some other community.

Maybe the Developer (Company, not the individual) could negotiate a contract with a system provider and get us all a huge price break based upon volume!

[golfer808]

The residents were not at home so this is why they know it was done between 11 am and 12:30 pm. I heard that the front door was not kicked in but somehow lifted to gain entry...don't ask how this could be done if the door was locked. Jewelry and money taken. Neighbors reported a suspicious man and woman in the area along with a possible white van. The neighborhood is already built so there is not an abundance of contractors. I'm not sure how the home is designed but I know I can't see anything going on in the front of my home. Everyone in Sanibel received an email yesterday regarding the incident.

[Cedwards38]

I do believe that barking dogs are a very good deterrent. I'm glad to hear that my 70 lb dog is finally earning her dogfood. If I answer the door with my two dogs visible, even huge burly men take a step backward. It's so easy to purchase a "fake" security sign. I'm not sure how effective they are.

Bottom line, our neighbors are our best security system ever. I hope we all continue to watch over each other.

I've got two dogs too. Unfortunately from a security standpoint, the largest of the two is 8.2 lbs and probably won't put much of a scare into a burglar. :laugh:
I agree about the sign. It will scare off some. Why would they take a chance on a "signed" home when there are so many available without them, but having a real monitored system, that sounds an alarm, dispatches police, and notifys me when the system is tripped puts bite in your bark, just like your two bigger dogs. :police:

[rubicon]

It could have been simply some one who took a chance and after seeing the residents leave proceeded with unlawful entry. Or it could be a vendor who knew that home, their conctents, habits etc and waited for an opportunity.
Many break-ins result from kicking down a door. some with using a jack to spread the jam far enought to allow the door to swing freely. This is wy it is recommended that a dead bolt be at least an inch long.

What is evident is that we are not as vigilant as we believe we ae if this theft was committed mid-day.

It also makes it clear that we are very vulnerable.

I noticed in our neighborhood a young black woman walking along our cul-de-sac. it struck me that we have no black neighbors in our neighborhood nand that this young attractive female w in her early 20's.
It then occurred to me that we had a string of break-in in the area about 2 years ago and when caught the police found a young balck woman was scouting the neighborhood for her boyfriends and his friends .

Essentially we have many people working The Villages and I'll amke a bet that not one employers does a background check on these folks.

For those uber-liberals since I'm talking about identifying possible supicious circumstances I;m allowed to say black. If she were white I would have said white and if she were a he iwould have he. Hee Hee

[simpkinp]

One of my friends put a phony sign in front of her house for a deterrent but it was broken into anyway. It was not in TV, but they brought weapons with them in case some one responded to the alarm while they were still there. When they eventually discovered there really was no alarm system, they slowed down and took their time, stealing all of her family heirloom jewelry. She spent months going to pawn shops, but never found any of it. Very sad. After that, she put in a real alarm system. Since I have nothing anyone would want, I don't worry much.

[buggyone]

It could have been simply some one who took a chance and after seeing the residents leave proceeded with unlawful entry. Or it could be a vendor who knew that home, their conctents, habits etc and waited for an opportunity.
Many break-ins result from kicking down a door. some with using a jack to spread the jam far enought to allow the door to swing freely. This is wy it is recommended that a dead bolt be at least an inch long.

What is evident is that we are not as vigilant as we believe we ae if this theft was committed mid-day.

It also makes it clear that we are very vulnerable.

I noticed in our neighborhood a young black woman walking along our cul-de-sac. it struck me that we have no black neighbors in our neighborhood nand that this young attractive female w in her early 20's.
It then occurred to me that we had a string of break-in in the area about 2 years ago and when caught the police found a young balck woman was scouting the neighborhood for her boyfriends and his friends .

Essentially we have many people working The Villages and I'll amke a bet that not one employers does a background check on these folks.

For those uber-liberals since I'm talking about identifying possible supicious circumstances I;m allowed to say black. If she were white I would have said white and if she were a he iwould have he. Hee Hee


Did you call either Community Watch or the sheriff to investigate the suspicious lady?

[Bogie Shooter]

Many people on this board say things like this don't happen in TV. Is this the first time?

see post #12

[Bogie Shooter]

The residents were not at home so this is why they know it was done between 11 am and 12:30 pm. I heard that the front door was not kicked in but somehow lifted to gain entry...don't ask how this could be done if the door was locked. Jewelry and money taken. Neighbors reported a suspicious man and woman in the area along with a possible white van. The neighborhood is already built so there is not an abundance of contractors. I'm not sure how the home is designed but I know I can't see anything going on in the front of my home. Everyone in Sanibel received an email yesterday regarding the incident.

who sent the email??

[Bogie Shooter]

By Eloísa Ruano González, Orlando Sentinel

8:47 a.m. EDT, May 24, 2013
Lake deputies said today they're looking into a string of burglaries on the north end of the county.

About 60 burglaries have been reported in the past several weeks in Lady Lake, Leesburg and the Bassville Park area, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said multiple groups are involved in breaking into homes and that the burglars could be connected.

"Burglaries have been reported to have occurred during daytime hours and involved forced entry into homes," sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Vachon said.

He said deputies arrested last week a pair who was involved in several burglaries on Corley Island Road in Leesburg. Deputies were responding to a burglar-alarm call when they found Stacey Brown, 40, and Corey Payton, 35, in the area, Vachon said.

The duo was pulled over and deputies found stolen property in their car, he said. They were booked into the Lake County Jail.

"Detectives believe the two may be connected to more burglaries in the area and are continuing to develop information," Vachon added.

Deputies also are looking for a green, two-door Ford — likely from the late 1980s — that could be involved in some of the burglaries. Detectives said it's likely a late 80s.

Anyone with information should call the Sheriff's Office at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

[golfer808]

Not sure but someone who actually knew the couple and exactly what happened. Probably someone on Vanilla Leaf or Twisted Oak. I've already deleted it since I knew it was true. TV certainly didn't send it.

[Bavarian]

Did they break down the front door? That would not be a small effort and would take an implement, I would think. Or did they go through the back sliders? They can be forced if they don't have a stick in them.

I have now lived here for five years, the first four half time. I have never spoken or heard from anyone personally or knew anyone personally that knew anyone personally that had a break in. There was jewelry taken from two or three homes in the middle of the day while the owners were away north of 466, reported on this forum and in The Daily Sun. If I remember correctly, the son of a resident was arrested. There was a sub contractor arrested for stealing appliances from a home not yet closed reported in The Daily Sun. Golf carts were stolen and they caught the son of the resident who was doing it and selling them to a person off campus, also reported in The Daily Sun.

It is as safe here as it was in Ohio in my opinion. I am impressed with the new security systems using cameras. They are installed all over the inside and outside of homes, hidden from plain view and you can access them from your smart phone when you are away. (I don't sell them. I get checks directly from Gary Morse, remember? He gave me my house);)

Is Vanilla leaf completely sold out or only partially inhabited?

I haven't read the paper yet this morning. If it isn't in the paper someone ELSE please call the news editor, (Reba?). I think I have pithed her off because I have called several times to check on things.

All houses? don not remember that at design meeting. What is website to sign up on?

[justjim]

By Eloísa Ruano González, Orlando Sentinel

8:47 a.m. EDT, May 24, 2013
Lake deputies said today they're looking into a string of burglaries on the north end of the county.

About 60 burglaries have been reported in the past several weeks in Lady Lake, Leesburg and the Bassville Park area, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said multiple groups are involved in breaking into homes and that the burglars could be connected.

"Burglaries have been reported to have occurred during daytime hours and involved forced entry into homes," sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Vachon said.

He said deputies arrested last week a pair who was involved in several burglaries on Corley Island Road in Leesburg. Deputies were responding to a burglar-alarm call when they found Stacey Brown, 40, and Corey Payton, 35, in the area, Vachon said.

The duo was pulled over and deputies found stolen property in their car, he said. They were booked into the Lake County Jail.

"Detectives believe the two may be connected to more burglaries in the area and are continuing to develop information," Vachon added.

Deputies also are looking for a green, two-door Ford — likely from the late 1980s — that could be involved in some of the burglaries. Detectives said it's likely a late 80s.

Anyone with information should call the Sheriff's Office at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

Bogie: Thanks for post and information. House Watch is well worth the money when out of TV on vacation. It appears that all of TV should be alert and diligent when away from your home for vacation or only a couple hours. I still think that TV is a very safe community----relative to others.

[gomoho]

Could someone with math skills please figure the chance of being burglarized in TV? I think we need information about the incident and I will be my normal diligent self, but this will not affect me in any other way. I feel very safe here and one bad apple won't spoil that feeling.

[gustavo]

Could someone with math skills please figure the chance of being burglarized in TV? I think we need information about the incident and I will be my normal diligent self, but this will not affect me in any other way. I feel very safe here and one bad apple won't spoil that feeling.

If there are 5 per year then 5/50000= 0.01%

[janmcn]

Did you call either Community Watch or the sheriff to investigate the suspicious lady?

What crime was the suspicious lady supposedly commiting?


Where are all the concealed carry permit holders when you need them? Aren't these home burglaries and drive by shootings what they live for?

[DougB]

Not sure but someone who actually knew the couple and exactly what happened. Probably someone on Vanilla Leaf or Twisted Oak. I've already deleted it since I knew it was true. TV certainly didn't send it.

Any idea how one could acquire all the email addresses of their village?

[NECHFalcon68]

Any idea how one could acquire all the email addresses of their village?

thru the Neighborhood social club....

[DougB]

thru the Neighborhood social club....
Thank you

[TraceyMooreRN]

Could someone with math skills please figure the chance of being burglarized in TV? I think we need information about the incident and I will be my normal diligent self, but this will not affect me in any other way. I feel very safe here and one bad apple won't spoil that feeling.

:Screen_of_Death: Really? Your chances are the same everyday. It depends if the suspect wants to target YOU, YOUR HOME, YOUR CAR or whatever. It is their choice...they get to pick who, when, where or whatever. Don't rely on numbers to calculate you as a target....

Be concerned for people who look suspicious and report to the Police. Lock your doors and windows. Don't leave purse, wallet in open view. Be careful when you have vendors (they are strangers!) in your home. Never open doors to strangers. Why is it just because you are in The Villages are you more layed back with your safety?

[gomoho]

If there are 5 per year then 5/50000= 0.01%

thank you; however I see that is an example of how to do this - I don't have the numbers to plug in.:cryin2:

[janmcn]

:Screen_of_Death: Really? Your chances are the same everyday. It depends if the suspect wants to target YOU, YOUR HOME, YOUR CAR or whatever. It is their choice...they get to pick who, when, where or whatever. Don't rely on numbers to calculate you as a target....

Be concerned for people who look suspicious and report to the Police. Lock your doors and windows. Don't leave purse, wallet in open view. Be careful when you have vendors (they are strangers!) in your home. Never open doors to strangers. Why is it just because you are in The Villages are you more layed back with your safety?

Thanks for the good advice, but the victims in this case left their home in the middle of the day for one and a half hours, presumably locking all their doors and windows before they left.

Some posters on this forum would have residents call neighborhood watch or the sheriff's office everytime someone walks by their house.

[justjim]

I think some tend to overreact to an incident or two. I'm betting these people will be caught---maybe already. I see no reason to run out and buy an expensive security system over one incident in one village. Relative to other places, TV is a very safe place to live IMHO.

[Harry Gilbert]

As someone that has been on the wrong side of a break in, And spent 25 years working in Corrections let me clarify some of the facts of life.

A thief only needs 5 minutes to clean you out. One of the ways they go about it now is to go door to door as if they are selling something while looking for a empty house with no visible alarm or dog or neighbors to interfere. They'll knock on the door and if it looks good 1 kick and they are in. While they go in the partner drives off and returns in about 5 min By then if not caught your stuff is gone.

The main areas in the house they go for are bedrooms and anything visible on the way there

As for doors it doesn't matter how much you spend on fancy door or locks, Look at the frame around the door, 99% of all door frames are made of cheap pine with a fancy looking strike plate held on by (2) 3/4 inch long screws. Go ahead take a look.
Home depot and lowes sell a security plate for $15 or so that will mount where the door and dead bolt strike plates are now but attaches with (8) 4 inch long screws that actually go into house framing not just the thin door frame.

Some things they will avoid are alarm signs, dogs and people moving around.

If you have a deadbolt use it. Its not there as a decorative item.

Ever think about installing a safe inside a kitchen cabinet or laundry room?

[gomoho]

:Screen_of_Death: Really? Your chances are the same everyday. It depends if the suspect wants to target YOU, YOUR HOME, YOUR CAR or whatever. It is their choice...they get to pick who, when, where or whatever. Don't rely on numbers to calculate you as a target....

Be concerned for people who look suspicious and report to the Police. Lock your doors and windows. Don't leave purse, wallet in open view. Be careful when you have vendors (they are strangers!) in your home. Never open doors to strangers. Why is it just because you are in The Villages are you more layed back with your safety?

Obviously we view statistics in a different way. Most vendors back off from my door when they see the two beasts through the full glass storm. I usually point at them and shake my head no - that does the trick. I have actually always felt safer because I have for a very long time had a large dog and The Villages just adds to that sense of security because in my neighborhood (Hadley) we watch out for each other. I prefer not to believe the bad guys are out to get me.:icon_twisted:

[TraceyMooreRN]

Obviously we view statistics in a different way. Most vendors back off from my door when they see the two beasts through the full glass storm. I usually point at them and shake my head no - that does the trick. I have actually always felt safer because I have for a very long time had a large dog and The Villages just adds to that sense of security because in my neighborhood (Hadley) we watch out for each other. I prefer not to believe the bad guys are out to get me.:icon_twisted:

I hope you never are a victim! I had dogs too when three people attempted to kick in my door. Still--it happens!

[NIPAS K-9]

They didn't just come in, the knocked down the door! Time for jail bars!

THE DAY I HAVE TO PUT JAIL BARS ON MY HOME IN THE VILLAGES IS THE DAY I SELL................:rant-rave:

[NIPAS K-9]

i do believe that barking dogs are a very good deterrent. I'm glad to hear that my 70 lb dog is finally earning her dogfood. If i answer the door with my two dogs visible, even huge burly men take a step backward. It's so easy to purchase a "fake" security sign. I'm not sure how effective they are.

Bottom line, our neighbors are our best security system ever. I hope we all continue to watch over each other.

32 years of law enforcement, your best deterent is a dog. Interviewed thousands of burgulars. They all say they wont mess with a house with a dog........... Alarms are easy to defeat...... Dont waste your money...................

[graciegirl]

Obviously we view statistics in a different way. Most vendors back off from my door when they see the two beasts through the full glass storm. I usually point at them and shake my head no - that does the trick. I have actually always felt safer because I have for a very long time had a large dog and The Villages just adds to that sense of security because in my neighborhood (Hadley) we watch out for each other. I prefer not to believe the bad guys are out to get me.:icon_twisted:

You have been here for several years as I have. When people live here for awhile they see how safe this place is. People bring with them their experiences from different places and although no place is completely safe this is one of the safer areas to live.

I completely agree with you but if someone wants to believe otherwise, they will. BUT when they live here as long as we have, they may see that breakins aren't a common everyday occurrence, and that we are mostly retired people and we are great observers and we look out for each other. Some call us busybodies, but I consider that a good thing. On my street in Hadley and my street now, there was too much activity for someone to just kick in a door and not be seen by someone. That doesn't mean it can't happen but it hasn't happened to anyone I know and by now I know a lot of folks here.

Continue with your positive attitude, Gohomo and remain aware always of your surroundings, as we all do and should.

It is lovely to be in a place where hardly no one works. And we are all aware of and know our neighbors and before someone says don't be lulled into a false sense of security, I will say, I wasn't born yesterday. Man...I wasn't born YESTERDAY.

[asianthree]

our puppy would have licked them to death:doggie:

[Bogie Shooter]

Article in today's Daily Sun, looking for the perps.

[buggyone]

Obviously, the burglars saw the person leaving the house and figured they had some time to do their work. I wonder if there was a deadbolt lock on the door. A deadbolt is able to deter some break-ins.

Is Vanilla Leaf Drive a fully built street of houses or still under some construction?

[rubicon]

In a previous post I explained that some break-ins are achieved with the use of a jack to expand the door james sufficient to bypass the deadbolt and let the door swing free. Or for the less sophicated bust the jam, cut the hinges,pick the lock.....you ain't gonna stop a determined thief

[buggyone]

In a previous post I explained that some break-ins are achieved with the use of a jack to expand the door james sufficient to bypass the deadbolt and let the door swing free. Or for the less sophicated bust the jam, cut the hinges,pick the lock.....you ain't gonna stop a determined thief

Remember though, this was the front door and at 11:30 a.m. I would think that someone using a jack in the door would have been noticed by neighbors or passerbys, wouldn't you?

It obviously happened and no one noticed. Strange.

[applesoffh]

read the artice in today's SUN - Section C, Page 6. This should have been on the first page of Friday's edition. Certainly, if current (East Coast) sports scores can be in the paper in a timely fashion, so can this! Am I wrong in my thinking?

[graciegirl]

read the artice in today's SUN - Section C, Page 6. This should have been on the first page of Friday's edition. Certainly, if current (East Coast) sports scores can be in the paper in a timely fashion, so can this! Am I wrong in my thinking?

It depends what kind of journalism you expect.It was a day later but accurate. In Orlando break ins are so common as to not even make the paper. Here it stated what happened and they don't sensationalize which my granddaughter tells me is good journalism. Just the facts, maam.

[Bogie Shooter]

read the artice in today's SUN - Section C, Page 6. This should have been on the first page of Friday's edition. Certainly, if current (East Coast) sports scores can be in the paper in a timely fashion, so can this! Am I wrong in my thinking?

Probably.

[rawfoodrunner3]

32 years of law enforcement, your best deterent is a dog. Interviewed thousands of burgulars. They all say they wont mess with a house with a dog........... Alarms are easy to defeat...... Dont waste your money...................

Unless they are a career criminal and bring a live lobster for the dog to play with. This happened to my brother and sister-in-law (New Jersey).

Ellen

[gomoho]

Unless they are a career criminal and bring a live lobster for the dog to play with. This happened to my brother and sister-in-law (New Jersey).

Ellen

WOW - that's crazy!!!

[OpusX1]

Many people and probably all B & E criminals know that standard locks can easily be opened with a blank key and a small hammer with no damage to the door. It is very easy and silent.
Buy a better lock and install long screws that are about 2 or 3 inches long so that they go through the door frame and into the house frame or better yet have the door installed so that it opens out, that way you have to pretty much destroy the door to get in.

[jmm2760jmm]

Good reason NOT to pay contractors or anyone in "cash". All someone needs to hear in a bar some evening is how "I got paid in all cash, gosh those guys are loaded" to bring attention to your address as a good place to rob. Pay with a check including tip (even though it may cost you a few extra dollars) and don't flash around a wad of cash. Not saying this was the case with this break-in but just common sense when dealing with people you really don't know personally. You don't want to give the impression you have a lot of cash in the house.

[CFrance]

Why is it that house doors open in and not out? Would that really be safer?

[upstate]

The inward opening has the hinges on the inside not out, the outward opening has the hinges exposed. Look in your home, all doors going into rooms are inward while closets, doors to the exterior and basement are outward opening. Exposed hinged doors can be removed to gain entry and outward doors can also be forced without destroying the door.

[davecz1]

In South Florida it is mandatory to have outer opening doors. Regulations put in place after Andrew hit in early 90's.

[OpusX1]

You can have an outward opening door with the hinges on the inside. All commercial doors are required by code to open out and the hinges are inside. Your kitchen cabinets open out with hinges on the inside. With the open out door it is almost impossible to kick open the door from the outside and it is easier to reinforce the door frame with the outward opening door.

[jblum315]

In South Florida it is mandatory to have outer opening doors. Regulations put in place after Andrew hit in early 90's.

My front door opens inward.

[DougB]

My front door opens inward.

We aren't in South Florida.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Why is it that house doors open in and not out? Would that really be safer?

But if your front door opens outward and you open it a crack to see who is there someone could pull it out of your hands and open it up and you would have a harder time stopping them from getting it away from you and coming inside. You couldn't shut it against them as easily. Isn't thata true or am I missing something here?

[CFrance]

But if your front door opens outward and you open it a crack to see who is there someone could pull it out of your hands and open it up and you would have a harder time stopping them from getting it away from you and coming inside. You couldn't shut it against them as easily. Isn't thata true or am I missing something here?

I agree with you. From the homeowner's position, it would be easier to push a door closed from the inside than pull it closed. You can throw all your weight at the door.

[Penguin]

I love this statistic from our former (urban) county up north: 95 PERCENT of all break-ins occurred in homes WITHOUT DOGS. A barking dog is your best deterrent.

And your Smith & Wesson

[VillagerNut]

I live in The Village of Sunset Pointe. I called Community Watch when a truck with a concrete name on the side was finding folks outside of their home and asking about doing tree/bushes trimming. I watched them do two yards one day. The next day they came back and did at least one more yard - I had to leave so I did not see the rest of that day. The following work day (Monday) they came back again and found another Customer by approaching folks in their yards. Why would anyone let three guys with a concrete pickup truck do your trees??? Community Watch told me to call Community Standards which I did. Community Standards did nothing and told me they do not have TIME to come out to situations like this one. We have no solicitation for the entire community for a reason - see each gate entrance. But the reason I mention this is the fact everyone of the neighbors allowed the one guy into their house while they paid them. Makes you think about what the guy might be checking out while in the house. But I really want to know what Community Standards is doing that is more important than enforcing the rules we have in place. My house was broken into in my previous city by crooks ringing doorbells to see who would answer. Even if you do not want to answer the door. Go close enough to the door and yell "who is it"? Otherwise you might have them in your home if you do not yell a message to them. They will at least know to keep moving down the road! Alarm Signs are not that useful - buy the real thing. I got the real alarm after my experience!

[DougB]

Apparently your neighbors don't take much notice of the no solicitation rules, why should those solicitating?