More vandalism at LSL

[Skip]

Last year there was a rash of vandalism to cars parked in the lots around Lake Sumter Landing. Many cars had their radio antennas or wipers ripped off. Then there was the incident of broken windows to cars parked over night behind AAA.

We had friends visit this weekend and they got interested in buying a house here and moving from further up north. We had talked about the safety here in The Villages too.

On Sunday (7/7/13) about 3 PM we got back to her car parked below Merrill Lynch behind the Tuscan Day Spa at LSL and found that her brand new car had been keyed by some vandal. The scratch was deep and ugly, not a casual accidental scratch by someone carrying something between cars.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Dept. was called and a crime report was made but the officer stated that without direct evidence (like a willing eye witness), it's nearly impossible to catch the perpetrator(s). He would not answer the question of whether other car owners had reported keyed cars here this weekend.

Our friend was devastated to tears because of this and vowed never to buy here in a place that has such cruelty going on. (Understandable!)

Did any TOTVer have the same crime occur on Sunday or any other day recently? Perhaps sharing the details will help stop this ongoing problem at LSL.

Please don't tell us that this can happen anywhere and it's not just a problem in The Villages! These crimes have been happening at LSL for too long and the businesses around here are noticing the discontent of our residents unwilling to come to the square in the evening and now even in daylight hours.

Skip

[Jerseygirl08]

Last year there was a rash of vandalism to cars parked in the lots around Lake Sumter Landing. Many cars had their radio antennas or wipers ripped off. Then there was the incident of broken windows to cars parked over night behind AAA.

We had friends visit this weekend and they got interested in buying a house here and moving from further up north. We had talked about the safety here in The Villages too.

On Sunday (7/7/13) about 3 PM we got back to her car parked below Merrill Lynch behind the Tuscan Day Spa at LSL and found that her brand new car had been keyed by some vandal. The scratch was deep and ugly, not a casual accidental scratch by someone carrying something between cars.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Dept. was called and a crime report was made but the officer stated that without direct evidence (like a willing eye witness), it's nearly impossible to catch the perpetrator(s). He would not answer the question of whether other car owners had reported keyed cars here this weekend.

Our friend was devastated to tears because of this and vowed never to buy here in a place that has such cruelty going on. (Understandable!)

Did any TOTVer have the same crime occur on Sunday or any other day recently? Perhaps sharing the details will help stop this ongoing problem at LSL.

Please don't tell us that this can happen anywhere and it's not just a problem in The Villages! These crimes have been happening at LSL for too long and the businesses around here are noticing the discontent of our residents unwilling to come to the square in the evening and now even in daylight hours.

Skip

Agree; details must be shared so that the problem can be made known, then maybe a solution can be found. Maybe someone (not sure who, maybe more than one) can drive around the parking lots kinda like security or neighborhood watch (WITHOUT A GUN). Cannot picture who could be keying cars, such a ridiculous crime.

[gocubsgo]

Wonder where Community Watch Patrol drivers were? Obviously not there.

[John_W]

Community Watch can't be everywhere, but cameras can be. Many crimes have been solved with parking lot cameras, I don't see why they haven't already been installed here.


/

[Serenoa]

Wonder where Community Watch Patrol drivers were? Obviously not there.

I'm sure they were right close by & must have just glanced in the opposite direction when the perp struck. Seriously, why ask such a silly question?

News flash! This can & does happen anywhere & everywhere. It has happened to me in the past, about 30 years ago in Austin, Tx.

Sorry to hear about the vandalism to this lady's car, but would this isolated incident keep me from buying in TV? Hell no!

[janmcn]

Did the police check near-by cars for similar damage? If so, any found?

There was a letter to the editor in The Tampa Bay Times a few months ago from a woman who had her car keyed in The Villages, and she attributed it to having the wrong sticker on her car. She also had her golf cart smeared with dog poop for the same reason.

[Taltarzac725]

Did the police check near-by cars for similar damage? If so, any found?

There was a letter to the editor in The Tampa Bay Times a few months ago from a woman who had her car keyed in The Villages, and she attributed it to having the wrong sticker on her car. She also had her golf cart smeared with dog poop for the same reason.

Not sure if that is the reason. I have some friends in the Villages who have certain stickers on their cars and are quite vocal with their neighbors about certain affiliations but have-- to my knowledge-- never had any problems like this. They have lived here at least 6 years and probably more.

It is probably just some mean spirited people who are envious of people who live in the Villages. Or, perhaps, are just visiting the Villages as in the OP's situation with their friends. I assume their friends' car had out-of-state license plates.

[redwitch]

Sadly, vandalism does happen everywhere. Cars get keyed for many reasons -- the fun of it, someone mad that a car took two parking spaces, carrying something that scratches the car (a cart used to take something through the lot can leave a deep scratch), a drunk with keys in hand and so on. I'm sorry that happened to your friend but I do think that saying you won't buy in TV because of this is a total overreaction. It may not have been a deliberate act but an act of stupidity and carelessness.

[Bonny]

Yes, it is a shame, but this stuff happens every where in the world. I can't imagine that would stop me from buying here. If that was the case, I could never live anywhere.

[PJUCTH]

Love kids . Teenagers not so much. Must be an old people thing. The past few years way in back in the big lot behind the golf cart store during the Summer there has been a large group of kids hanging out. I love loud music so that was no issue. The fast driving in the parking lots and finding them sitting drinking in my golf cart last year did. Now not terribly but a little afraid to park there at night. Not to blame it on kids but anyone over indulging and bored spells trouble to me. Not sure why they are allowed to congregate there

[manaboutown]

Although vandalism does indeed occur "everywhere" it occurs with great frequency some places and rarely others. One would hope that it occurs infrequently in The Villages. If I were new to an area and experienced such an act, especially to a new car, I would not return. About 35 years ago I had a new Corvette and parked it in a restaurant's lot while I went in to eat. When I came out someone had vandalized it. That left a bad taste in my mouth and I never returned to that restaurant or even that neighborhood. At my age now I want to feel safe and I want my property whether it be real or personal to be safe. Therefore I stay away from areas known to have higher levels of crime and vandalism. Like it or not areas develop reputations based on what happens there. I would not want parking lots in The Villages become known to vandals as target rich environments, where to go to vandalize vehicles and get away with it!

[rp001]

Guess all of sumter county's finest were out chasing speeding golf carts...No money in catching vandals...

[Skip]

Community Watch can't be everywhere, but cameras can be. Many crimes have been solved with parking lot cameras, I don't see why they haven't already been installed here.

Developer won't install security cameras (like Walmart) because he says it gives the impression of high crime in the area. (!)

However, when gates were accidentally being broken off at villages entrances, The Villages first step was to install video cameras so they could catch and charge the person involved (usually us residents) for the repairs.

Skip

[NotGolfer]

Yes, it is a shame, but this stuff happens every where in the world. I can't imagine that would stop me from buying here. If that was the case, I could never live anywhere.

I so agree with you Bonny!!! Happened in our lovely little quiet mid-western town as well. NOT the reason we moved...but hated the weather. My take on things (ie not buying here) is folks sometimes need an excuse to not doing something.

[justjim]

Guess all of sumter county's finest were out chasing speeding golf carts...No money in catching vandals...

This was my initial thought----oh! For such awful thoughts---but speeding 3mph above the speed limit and a resident having to pay a $300.00 fine is over the top IMHO. Bottom line----without security cameras its almost impossible to catch such "rascals".

[jblum315]

Keying cars is a crime as old as time. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Cain keyed Abel's car (or his donkey?) People do it because they're mean, because they're envious, because they're drunk, maybe because they're ****ed off that there's no P in Sumter. I don't see it as a reason to condemn a community. It happens everywhere.

[graciegirl]

Last year there was a rash of vandalism to cars parked in the lots around Lake Sumter Landing. Many cars had their radio antennas or wipers ripped off. Then there was the incident of broken windows to cars parked over night behind AAA.

We had friends visit this weekend and they got interested in buying a house here and moving from further up north. We had talked about the safety here in The Villages too.

On Sunday (7/7/13) about 3 PM we got back to her car parked below Merrill Lynch behind the Tuscan Day Spa at LSL and found that her brand new car had been keyed by some vandal. The scratch was deep and ugly, not a casual accidental scratch by someone carrying something between cars.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Dept. was called and a crime report was made but the officer stated that without direct evidence (like a willing eye witness), it's nearly impossible to catch the perpetrator(s). He would not answer the question of whether other car owners had reported keyed cars here this weekend.

Our friend was devastated to tears because of this and vowed never to buy here in a place that has such cruelty going on. (Understandable!)

Did any TOTVer have the same crime occur on Sunday or any other day recently? Perhaps sharing the details will help stop this ongoing problem at LSL.

Please don't tell us that this can happen anywhere and it's not just a problem in The Villages! These crimes have been happening at LSL for too long and the businesses around here are noticing the discontent of our residents unwilling to come to the square in the evening and now even in daylight hours.

Skip

How awful and how devastating and a very good case for cameras. I think it was some nasty kids who have too much time on their hands and disrespect for seniors. I will get yelled at for this statement, but that is what I think. It is my experience that most kids are nice, but there are always a few.

How very sad that this happened to people who may have been quite happy here. It is so unfortunate.

And Skip it was very real and very personal to you but I don't think it is a common occurrence or we would hear about it on this forum. Someone always knows someone who knows someone and it almost always gets talked about on this forum.

It makes me so angry that this happened to you and your friends.

[Bonny]

How awful and how devastating and a very good case for cameras. I think it was some nasty kids who have too much time on their hands and disrespect for seniors. I will get yelled at for this statement, but that is what I think. It is my experience that most kids are nice, but there are always a few.

How very sad that this happened to people who may have been quite happy here. It is so unfortunate.

And Skip it was very real and very personal to you but I don't think it is a common occurrence or we would hear about it on this forum. Someone always knows someone who knows someone and it almost always gets talked about on this forum.

It makes me so angry that this happened to you and your friends.

I have to say, I know a few Villagers that are very capable of doing something like that.

[Bonnevie]

my son's car was keyed once and the body shop people told me girls do it a lot....darn that Carrie Underwood song!

[Cedwards38]

Another take...........I got keyed once and didn't discover it until days later. Who knows where it happened? The reason I know it occurred several days earlier is that when I mentioned it at work, a couple of my colleagues told me they noticed it days earlier, but it got right by me. Not saying this might not have happened at The Villages, but.................

[57ChevyFI]

Developer won't install security cameras (like Walmart) because he says it gives the impression of high crime in the area. (!)

However, when gates were accidentally being broken off at villages entrances, The Villages first step was to install video cameras so they could catch and charge the person involved (usually us residents) for the repairs.

Skip

SO you are 100% sure there are NOT cameras in the Lake Sumter area?

[57ChevyFI]

Wonder where Community Watch Patrol drivers were? Obviously not there.
1000 people at the square, 400? or more cars. Good point!!! Hard to believe the two community watch people didn't see everything and every car their entire shift. You could just blame all the Villages and their guests at the square as well, who didn't see anything. Also the Sheriff's department would be a good target to blame.

[rubicon]

"When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." S. Holmes

You have a person visiting The Villages "Florida's Friendliest HomeTown". This visitor observing the beauty and originality of The Villages and the activity and energy found at the Town Square. This visitor/car owner returns to where the car was parked and finds deep seated scratches all along said car.

The police are called and inform the car owner that a report is taken but nothing can be done. When asked if other cars were damaged (keyed) receives no response.

A predictable feeling of anger comes over the car owner and is immediately followed by a feeling of helplessness because the perpetrator(s) walks away from all of this free to strike again.

This sort of scenario has been reported repeatedly on TOTV and I fact on this thread.

It is apparent given the ever increasing size of The Villages and the fact that The Villages experiences a continuing influx of people from all over the world that in fact the subject of "safe seems relative.

Perhaps it is time that The Villages leadership considers installing camera's throughout The Villages and steps up patrolling by the local police both at the public squares and throughout neighborhoods

[BobnBev]

Maybe it's time to think about a Villages Police Department. The Sheriff can only do so much, with limited resources.

[tommy steam]

Last year there was a rash of vandalism to cars parked in the lots around Lake Sumter Landing. Many cars had their radio antennas or wipers ripped off. Then there was the incident of broken windows to cars parked over night behind AAA.

We had friends visit this weekend and they got interested in buying a house here and moving from further up north. We had talked about the safety here in The Villages too.

On Sunday (7/7/13) about 3 PM we got back to her car parked below Merrill Lynch behind the Tuscan Day Spa at LSL and found that her brand new car had been keyed by some vandal. The scratch was deep and ugly, not a casual accidental scratch by someone carrying something between cars.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Dept. was called and a crime report was made but the officer stated that without direct evidence (like a willing eye witness), it's nearly impossible to catch the perpetrator(s). He would not answer the question of whether other car owners had reported keyed cars here this weekend.

Our friend was devastated to tears because of this and vowed never to buy here in a place that has such cruelty going on. (Understandable!)

Did any TOTVer have the same crime occur on Sunday or any other day recently? Perhaps sharing the details will help stop this ongoing problem at LSL.

Please don't tell us that this can happen anywhere and it's not just a problem in The Villages! These crimes have been happening at LSL for too long and the businesses around here are noticing the discontent of our residents unwilling to come to the square in the evening and now even in daylight hours.

Skip

I am for cameras in the squares parking lots. Just letting people know that they can be caught might just stop someone from doing these things. Why they aren't there is beyond me. Lots of large shopping areas all over the country have them to prevent or catch people who do this sort of thing.

[Indydealmaker]

Police DO NOT prevent crimes. Ask any cop on the street. Police are no longer allowed to police in such a way as to pull bad dudes off of the street before they can do the crime. Police investigate crimes that have been already committed and they attempt to catch the bad guys. Theoretically, the resulting punishments of the criminals is a deterrent to others.

However, the threat of being caught and punished is no longer a deterrent because our increasingly liberal society feels more responsibility for the poor perps than the victims.

Increased police patrols are not a serious deterrent either because no matter how many cops are on the street, there are always going to be more bad guys who appear quite skilled at being where the cops are not.

The only answer is for people to be more aware and not have their collective heads up their rear ends thinking that there is ANY really safe place. There are only "relatively" safe places, like The Villages.

It also might help if parents started parenting, but that is another topic.

[eweissenbach]

I am for cameras in the squares parking lots. Just letting people know that they can be caught might just stop someone from doing these things. Why they aren't there is beyond me. Lots of large shopping areas all over the country have them to prevent or catch people who do this sort og thing.

Cameras at the parking lots and the squares seem like a logical and reasonably inexpensive precaution. Not sure what the developer's reluctance to install them could possibly be caused by, unless he/they just don't want to get into the security business.

[tommy steam]

Developer won't install security cameras (like Walmart) because he says it gives the impression of high crime in the area. (!)

However, when gates were accidentally being broken off at villages entrances, The Villages first step was to install video cameras so they could catch and charge the person involved (usually us residents) for the repairs.

Skip

If you notice there are really no signs telling Peope anything, like dont climb on the cowboy at brownwood . I think the powers to be don't want to take away from the friendliest home town thing.

[DougB]

Nothing unfriendly about taking someone's picture! My mom loves when I wave at her from the live cams in the squares.

[red tail]

Maybe it's time to think about a Villages Police Department. The Sheriff can only do so much, with limited resources.

then we have to start covering 20 year pensions and all the expenses that go with facilities,etc etc etc. marion,sumter, and lady lake do a fine job just the way it is. I for one have no complaints with what we have.

[pooh]

Cameras don't always "catch" the bad guys. This past Christmas, our children drove to TV from Chicago. They stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Marietta, GA for a bite to eat....in the early afternoon. In a short while, their car was broken in to, presents, suitcases, electronics were stolen. Crooks were clever, they knew how to do their dirty work without the surveillance cameras seeing them or plates on their vehicle.

[SoccerCoach]

Community Watch can't be everywhere, but cameras can be. Many crimes have been solved with parking lot cameras, I don't see why they haven't already been installed here./

John, I agree they just can't be everywhere at once. Cameras are the only answer for continued observation. Positioned in such a way that they are vandle proof. Wide angle coverage. All parking areas should be included, shopping, country clubs, postal stations. Crime can occur in ANY area.

[rubicon]

Maybe it's time to think about a Villages Police Department. The Sheriff can only do so much, with limited resources.

If you review the definition/explanation of Commercial District you will see they have no police authority......

[graciegirl]

I like Skip a lot and enjoy his posts. He has never said anything that I disagreed with. He is a responsible person and an excellent source of information.

But I am dying to know how he knows what the developer says about cameras. He must KNOW the developer.

I can't imagine anyone putting poop on a car either unless the stickers said something just awful about old people in general and then.................maybe I could understand it a little tiny bit..Or the person driving that golf car was ugly and nasty and mean in a very public way. I can't imagine that they would do it just because someone was voting for the party that the poop spreader didn't like.

And why would they write to the Tampa paper about it???

[batman911]

Did the police check near-by cars for similar damage? If so, any found?

There was a letter to the editor in The Tampa Bay Times a few months ago from a woman who had her car keyed in The Villages, and she attributed it to having the wrong sticker on her car. She also had her golf cart smeared with dog poop for the same reason.

A good reason to not put stickers on your vehicles. Why would you want everyone to know your political beliefs?

[rubicon]

Cameras don't always "catch" the bad guys. This past Christmas, our children drove to TV from Chicago. They stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Marietta, GA for a bite to eat....in the early afternoon. In a short while, their car was broken in to, presents, suitcases, electronics were stolen. Crooks were clever, they knew how to do their dirty work without the surveillance cameras seeing them or plates on their vehicle.

pooh: I agree with what you say. However for the purposes here the cameras will capture the goings on in the town squares, rec centers, etc.
If they use quality video tape they will be able to identify people who are committing illegal acts or do not belong say at a pool. It will not deter the harden and experienced criminal. As much as I detest the 1984'ish of the cameras I have seen the benefits flow from various stores, high schools, etc. Finally by having them installed it deters some from their bad behavior.

[janmcn]

I like Skip a lot and enjoy his posts. He has never said anything that I disagreed with. He is a responsible person and an excellent source of information.

But I am dying to know how he knows what the developer says about cameras. He must KNOW the developer.

I can't imagine anyone putting poop on a car either unless the stickers said something just awful about old people in general and then.................maybe I could understand it a little tiny bit..Or the person driving that golf car was ugly and nasty and mean in a very public way. I can't imagine that they would do it just because someone was voting for the party that the poop spreader didn't like.

And why would they write to the Tampa paper about it???

Perhaps they wrote to The Tampa Bay Times because they did not think The Daily Sun would print the letter. Evidently, the Times' editorial board thought it was interesting enough to print the letter, so that hundreds of thousands of their subscribers could read it. They chose that letter to print out of the probably thousands they recieve everyday.

[Madelaine Amee]

I have to say, I know a few Villagers that are very capable of doing something like that.

I didn't have the guts to say that, so thank you for doing it! Yes, unfortunately, more likely to be hoodlum adults than teens.

[Waynecarla]

Very sad to think an older villager would go around and key a car,that's just wrong !!!!

[ugotme]

police do not prevent crimes. Ask any cop on the street. Police are no longer allowed to police in such a way as to pull bad dudes off of the street before they can do the crime. Police investigate crimes that have been already committed and they attempt to catch the bad guys. Theoretically, the resulting punishments of the criminals is a deterrent to others.

However, the threat of being caught and punished is no longer a deterrent because our increasingly liberal society feels more responsibility for the poor perps than the victims.

Increased police patrols are not a serious deterrent either because no matter how many cops are on the street, there are always going to be more bad guys who appear quite skilled at being where the cops are not.

The only answer is for people to be more aware and not have their collective heads up their rear ends thinking that there is any really safe place. There are only "relatively" safe places, like the villages.

It also might help if parents started parenting, but that is another topic.


b i n g o !!!!

[Halibut]

My wife has a big happy face peace sticker on her cart and twice has had a bag of dog (I assume) poop left on the seat while she was out shopping. Sigh.

I think some of the adults here are far more onery and spiteful than any teens I've personally run into.

Edited to add: Not that The Villages has more than its share of those people, but there are some everywhere, including here.

[graciegirl]

My wife has a big happy face peace sticker on her cart and twice has had a bag of dog (I assume) poop left on the seat while she was out shopping. Sigh.

I think some of the adults here are far more onery and spiteful than any teens I've personally run into.

Edited to add: Not that The Villages has more than its share of those people, but there are some everywhere, including here.

Boy Howdy.

[asianthree]

My wife has a big happy face peace sticker on her cart and twice has had a bag of dog (I assume) poop left on the seat while she was out shopping. Sigh.

I think some of the adults here are far more onery and spiteful than any teens I've personally run into.

Edited to add: Not that The Villages has more than its share of those people, but there are some everywhere, including here.

some one you know?

[Bonny]

I remember some of the bad kids I went to Junior High & High School with. The only difference now is they are older. When they got older, it certainly didn't turn them into saints ! Some grew out of it & some are still bad !!!

[CFrance]

My wife has a big happy face peace sticker on her cart and twice has had a bag of dog (I assume) poop left on the seat while she was out shopping. Sigh.

I think some of the adults here are far more onery and spiteful than any teens I've personally run into.

Edited to add: Not that The Villages has more than its share of those people, but there are some everywhere, including here.

There's nothing like anonymity to bring out the worst in people.

[Uncle Tom]

As the villages grows, so does the crime. Get use to it, the more people the more crime.

[buggyone]

I had absolutely no problem when I was driving my golf cart around The Villages - and parking it while in bars or restaurants - this past election time. I had a big placard on my front windshield for "the guy who won".

[Halibut]

some one you know?

What we couldn't figure out was why someone would be carrying poop around with them to go to Publix! I've never seen anyone walking their dogs in the parkng lot there. Maybe the poor doggie had an emergency while out for a nice ear-blowing ride.

The first time was when her cart was parked in the lot by the neighborhood pool and mail station, so that at least made more sense as to the availability of the excrement.

It would make sense that the mail station drop was courtesy of a neighbor/someone who lives in the same village. One of my golf buddies refuses to ride with me in the cart, but I can't imagine it was someone who personally knows either of us.

My wife is a tolerant and laid back sort of person, so just kind of exasperatedly shook her head, but afterwards she did add another hippy sticker on the back bumper in case anyone missed the one on the front. Heh.

Anyway, a very minor blip in an otherwise warm and wonderful life here.

[redwitch]

Totally off topic, but so did I (had the placard, that is), buggy. Got a few thumbs up, several waves and one or two thumbs down. Never had any real grief, though. I think more cars have been keyed for bad parking or driving (i.e, cutting someone off) than for pure vandalism or political beliefs.

Regardless, there really is no excuse for this kind of behavior. If you have an issue with someone, you leave a note or wait for them to return to their vehicle -- you don't damage it. If you think destroying someone else's property is "fun", I sincerely hope you're caught and have to pay for the repairs (not just the deductible). If you did it by accident, shame on you for not taking responsibility and letting the injured party know about it. There really is no excuse (but I still wouldn't rule out TV as a place to live because of this).

[coolkayaker1]

One possible solution: put dynamite in a dummy car triggered by anyone getting in the vehicle, then leave it unlocked with an iPad on the front seat.

[nitehawk]

Totally off topic, but so did I (had the placard, that is), buggy. Got a few thumbs up, several waves and one or two thumbs down. Never had any real grief, though. I think more cars have been keyed for bad parking or driving (i.e, cutting someone off) than for pure vandalism or political beliefs.

Regardless, there really is no excuse for this kind of behavior. If you have an issue with someone, you leave a note or wait for them to return to their vehicle -- you don't damage it. If you think destroying someone else's property is "fun", I sincerely hope you're caught and have to pay for the repairs (not just the deductible). If you did it by accident, shame on you for not taking responsibility and letting the injured party know about it. There really is no excuse (but I still wouldn't rule out TV as a place to live because of this).

:thumbup:

[dillywho]

The Villages is absolutely wonderful! Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all the Villagers and/or visitors. Thank goodness the ones who are not are in the minority.

To quote Ron White: "You just can't fix stupid".

[dsned]

Yes I too have seen the kids congregate in the parking lots, they are teens and I guess have no where else to go. Having my car keyed would not stop me from buying here!!!!

[tommy steam]

My wife has a big happy face peace sticker on her cart and twice has had a bag of dog (I assume) poop left on the seat while she was out shopping. Sigh.

I think some of the adults here are far more onery and spiteful than any teens I've personally run into.

Edited to add: Not that The Villages has more than its share of those people, but there are some everywhere, including here.

I can't understand why someone would be offended by a happy face peace sticker? I'm not. The people who did that to your wife are cowards.

[Bonny]

The Villages is absolutely wonderful! Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all the Villagers and/or visitors. Thank goodness the ones who are not are in the minority.

To quote Ron White: "You just can't fix stupid".

Nope, not even with duct tape ! :D

[mickey100]

I understand from friends who work in the pro shops, the golf shops in The Villages have a number of security cameras in each one. Let's expand that idea, and put in a few around the squares. In fact, they could get rid of some of those foolish gates, which in my mind, don't do much for security, and use the money saved to put in cameras, if there are financial concerns.

[BarryRX]

Here's how safe The Villages is.........we've just had three pages of commentary because a car got keyed. It doesn't get much safer than that. By the way, in Chicago over the July 4th weekend, 64 people were shot and 11 were killed.

[BobnBev]

One possible solution: put dynamite in a dummy car triggered by anyone getting in the vehicle, then leave it unlocked with an iPad on the front seat.

All rightey then, I just need to borrow your iPad. :highfive::a040::boom:

[manaboutown]

Here's how safe The Villages is.........we've just had three pages of commentary because a car got keyed. It doesn't get much safer than that. By the way, in Chicago over the July 4th weekend, 64 people were shot and 11 were killed.

And they have some of th strictest gun control laws in the country!

Gun Control is Why Chicago Murder Rates Are Skyrocketing (http://www.policymic.com/articles/22622/gun-control-is-why-chicago-murder-rates-are-skyrocketing)

[eweissenbach]

And they have some of th strictest gun control laws in the country!

Gun Control is Why Chicago Murder Rates Are Skyrocketing (http://www.policymic.com/articles/22622/gun-control-is-why-chicago-murder-rates-are-skyrocketing)

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[asianthree]

someone backed into my car today..no note..few thousand in damages...nope not in the villages...up north in a hospital parking lot...so not happy about it but things happen

[Parker]

Agree; details must be shared so that the problem can be made known, then maybe a solution can be found. Maybe someone (not sure who, maybe more than one) can drive around the parking lots kinda like security or neighborhood watch (WITHOUT A GUN). Cannot picture who could be keying cars, such a ridiculous crime.

George Zimmerman might soon be available for the job.

[Skip]

Another take...........I got keyed once and didn't discover it until days later. Who knows where it happened? The reason I know it occurred several days earlier is that when I mentioned it at work, a couple of my colleagues told me they noticed it days earlier, but it got right by me. Not saying this might not have happened at The Villages, but.................

Nope. We admired her brand new car in our driveway then drove to LSL and parked behind Tuscan Day Spa. The scratch is long and deep on the driver's side. It happened in the parking lot between noon and 3 PM.

Skip

[Schaumburger]

Here's how safe The Villages is.........we've just had three pages of commentary because a car got keyed. It doesn't get much safer than that. By the way, in Chicago over the July 4th weekend, 64 people were shot and 11 were killed.

BarryRX, How right you are. I lived in the suburbs of Chicago, so the problem is not our here where I live, but every weekend some television and radio stations start the news with: "This weekend ___ number of people were shot and killed..." One of the reasons I like The Villages is the feeling of safety I get when I am in TV. But one always needs to be watchful of their surroundings.

[bkcunningham1]

Skip, I hate that someone damaged your friend's car. I know it must be very frustrating and hurtful to be showing off our beautiful community and for something like this to happen. Not to make light of the original topic but the real question here is: what business is opened until 3 in the morning? I mean, you and I both know they normally roll up the streets at dark. ;~)

[PaPaLarry]

Skip, I hate that someone damaged your friend's car. I know it must be very frustrating and hurtful to be showing off our beautiful community and for something like this to happen. Not to make light of the original topic but the real question here is: what business is opened until 3 in the morning? I mean, you and I both know they normally roll up the streets at dark. ;~)
I think he said it happened between noon & 3:00pm?? Not 3:00 am

[Chazz]

I, too, like the camera idea. However, they need to be the better high resolution type to ensure that perpetrators are accurately identified. Also, if TV did go in that direction, they'd need to be prepared for potential civil liberties legal challenges.

[PennBF]

A few months ago we went to LSL and parked in the parking lot behind the stores. There were a large number of teens hanging out and they were leaning and sitting on cars, swearing and yelling. It was just a perfect storm for problems. We called the Sheriff and told him of what was going on. They said they would look into it and handle it. The message is that citizens/residents have a responsibility to recognize and report what appears to be real potential for problems. When in doubt call the authorities for help. I do absolutely agree with camera's in the parking lots and have no problem being in their line of sight. That is the best way for 24/7 coverage and minimizing crime/vandals, etc. It makes for a much safer community and if someone has a problem with them the appropriate question "why".:bowdown:

[jbdlfan]

Nope. We admired her brand new car in our driveway then drove to LSL and parked behind Tuscan Day Spa. The scratch is long and deep on the driver's side. It happened in the parking lot between noon and 3 PM.

Skip

Noon and three pm, I guess the original thoughts of it being "kids" would seem less likely.

[bkcunningham1]

I think he said it happened between noon & 3:00pm?? Not 3:00 am

Never mind. Carry on.

[Skip]

Noon and three pm, I guess the original thoughts of it being "kids" would seem less likely.

Why? It was a July Sunday and occurred between NOON and 3 PM.

I said nothing about kids, but I too have observed small crowds of loud teens in that same parking lot at night (presumably being picked up by parents after a 7 PM movie). I have no problem with being loud or a teen. Had they been doing suspicious activities (like checking vehicle contents or zig zagging between cars), I would have notified police.

No stickers or signs on our vehicle except an out of state plate.

She had not yet contacted a sales rep but had she told the Properties of The Villages and her decision not to look further, I'm sure that would get back to the sales department and perhaps the developer. These things certainly hurt sales and cameras would be a deterrent.

Guess I got my answer: No other readers had this happen there that day or recently. And certainly that's a relief.

Skip

[thelegges]

its so sad

[Uncle Tom]

Were these street gangs in TV wearing white hoodies and eating Skittles?

[JP]

I have had a ridiculous amount of stuff stolen out of my baggage. I still fly and love it but I have altered where I put my valuables. I have had cars stolen, car windows broken out, stuff stolen out of my car, my car keyed, my car hit in parking lots without notes left as to who did it, you name it. You can't stop bad things in life from happening to you. If my car was keyed at LSL it would really tick me off but it wouldn't make me move.

[graciegirl]

We are, at this time, amazingly safe in this community, given the climate of the world outside this bubble. I don't know how long it will last, but we are comparatively more safe than most communities.

The OP said this was a new car, did some nasty, jealous person who could not afford to buy one like it, key it?

That was one of the things I thought.

Or teens whose moms didn't put the fear of consequences into their little hides?

I like kids a lot, but anyone who isn't a little aware of what bad teens can do is very unrealistic, and those not aware of the wonderful things good teens do all of the time are not getting out much.

I am pretty sure it was a nasty adult or a nasty kid.

The girls posse may have to patrol the parking lots in the middle of the day. It is just SO hot and we are always having to explain our bright colored squirt guns.;)

[capecodbob]

Video cameras, good lighting, and an active neighborhood watch/police can usually convince these jerks to go elsewhere. Need a couple of arrests with newspaper coverage, to top it off.
These crimes are done mainly because these creeps think they can get away with it (none of the above anywhere to be seen) and/or no one will confront them.

BB

[coolkayaker1]

Is there an organized voluntary citizen's neighborhood watch patrol?

[graciegirl]

Is there an organized voluntary citizen's neighborhood watch patrol?

No. And I don't think we need one.

[buggyone]

Does anyone honestly think that Community Watch or the police or a Zimmerman style Neighborhood Watch would have the capability of patrolling all the parking lots in all spots 24 hours a day?

How would cameras cover all the possible parking spots?

How would identities from camera images be made? From the RFID chip we all got in our neck at our home closing? That only works when going by the gates.

[eweissenbach]

Does anyone honestly think that Community Watch or the police or a Zimmerman style Neighborhood Watch would have the capability of patrolling all the parking lots in all spots 24 hours a day?
probablynot
How would cameras cover all the possible parking spots? with wide angle lens should be realistic
How would identities from camera images be made? HD images and video enhancement should make it possible. From the RFID chip we all got in our neck at our home closing? That only works when going by the gates.. Since I have not yet purchased a home I should be undetectable! Good to know! Actually the technology should be fairly easy and affordable - the monitoring might be the difficulty.

[My Daily Run]

I live near LSL and I work in LSL and I see large groups of teenagers all the time in the parking lots behind Coldwater Creek clothing store near the box office and behind Starbucks. I see them running around between cars. Usually on weekends but being the summer I may have seen them during the week (don't always know what day it is living here). Drive by at night and see them. It is more often then none. Check it out...you may be surprised. I am not saying that they are responsible but they are loitering.

[TexaninVA]

Here's how safe The Villages is.........we've just had three pages of commentary because a car got keyed. It doesn't get much safer than that. By the way, in Chicago over the July 4th weekend, 64 people were shot and 11 were killed.

This comment does indeed provide a certain comparative perspective

[TexaninVA]

Police DO NOT prevent crimes. Ask any cop on the street. Police are no longer allowed to police in such a way as to pull bad dudes off of the street before they can do the crime. Police investigate crimes that have been already committed and they attempt to catch the bad guys. Theoretically, the resulting punishments of the criminals is a deterrent to others.

However, the threat of being caught and punished is no longer a deterrent because our increasingly liberal society feels more responsibility for the poor perps than the victims.

Increased police patrols are not a serious deterrent either because no matter how many cops are on the street, there are always going to be more bad guys who appear quite skilled at being where the cops are not.

The only answer is for people to be more aware and not have their collective heads up their rear ends thinking that there is ANY really safe place. There are only "relatively" safe places, like The Villages.

It also might help if parents started parenting, but that is another topic.


I think Indy makes an accurate observation, even if some may feel uncomfortable about it. Deterrence is important, and while it can be abused, just seems like the pendulum has swung too far and needs to be adjusted.

[TexaninVA]

One possible solution: put dynamite in a dummy car triggered by anyone getting in the vehicle, then leave it unlocked with an iPad on the front seat.

Hmmm, this has potential. As long as you minimize the charge to avoid collateral damage to innocent bystanders, I'm thinking this could work. :smiley:

[Junebugs]

Cameras don't always "catch" the bad guys. This past Christmas, our children drove to TV from Chicago. They stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Marietta, GA for a bite to eat....in the early afternoon. In a short while, their car was broken in to, presents, suitcases, electronics were stolen. Crooks were clever, they knew how to do their dirty work without the surveillance cameras seeing them or plates on their vehicle.

I have heard about cars being broken into at Cracker Barrel parking lots. Because they are frequented by travelers (with luggage), the crooks realize they are more likely to find something in the trunk.

[rockyisle]

We parked behind Tuscan Spa last night to go to the movies. I had told hubby about the car vandalism. When we came out, our car was fine, but I did notice that CW trucks were buzzing around the parking lots.... so I'm guessing that someone reads TOTV... Nice to see their yellow lights flashing.... Don't we all feel safer now?
Skip - I am so sorry for your friend and the damage to her car. I know it would give me pause on moving here had it happened during my first visit.

[Skip]

We parked behind Tuscan Spa last night to go to the movies. I had told hubby about the car vandalism. When we came out, our car was fine, but I did notice that CW trucks were buzzing around the parking lots.... so I'm guessing that someone reads TOTV... Nice to see their yellow lights flashing.... Don't we all feel safer now?
Skip - I am so sorry for your friend and the damage to her car. I know it would give me pause on moving here had it happened during my first visit.

Community Watch was notified of the incident. Yup, it can hurt new home sales and community reputation. Thanks for your remarks.

Skip