Question for villagers on their thoughts
 

While eating in Lake Sumter, there was a new golf cart that was labeled Sumter Co. Sheriff on the sides of the cart. I am just wandering if Sumter Co. is going to start patrolling the multi-modal paths that villagers use for getting to their destinations. If this is a plan what do villagers think of this. Opinions please.

I am good with it, way too many carts going way too fast, IMHO. I am retired, our cart goes 20 MPH, we have no need to go faster.

Well, the first question that comes to my mind is, is it "really" a sheriff's vehicle. If so, then I am all in favor of it, it would save money and provide a more "involved" approach Mayberry RafD like, cops on bicycles in some cities.

Do you have a picture of that golf cart? I bet there is probably no other place in the world where a sherif patrols in golf carts.

As far as patrolling the Multi Modal paths, I don't think that is what it is for. As I recall reading on this forum, the Multi Modal paths that are not along the side of the street (like a bike lane) are considered on Private property and not under the jurisdiction of Sumter County police for speed controls. The police can only enforce traffic rules when a cart is on one of the public streets. I could be wrong (and probably am) about the private vs public property argument, but that is what I've read on this forum. I have seen a Sumter County police golf cart in the squares in the past, but as I recall it was here for one of the town square parades.

The sheriff can do what ever he is allowed to do to protect and serve us. I am all in for that.

The Sumter County Sheriff was on The Villages Newcomers YouTube channel earlier this week. He stated they don't enforce golf cart violations unless it's a DUI...so speeding is now ok I guess.

I’ve seen the Sheriff in a golf cart last September, not new. It surprised me too

Multi Modal are private property, not under their jurisdiction.

The cart has been around for awhile sitting at the square. They also have a atomic car in full decal uniform.

They have been for years, just not on a regular basis

Every cart path leads to a street

I was stopped at the square by a shierff golf cart because I had blue undercarriage lights and was told blue was reserved for police. They have a shed near the lighthouse where they Park their golf cart. Haven't seen it in years.

I agree. Many travel much too fast and even more of the cart drivers totally ignore stop and yield signs.

Blue lites
 

nobody can have blue lights..WOW

Here are the rules, so that you don’t get into trouble:

1. Be 14yearsoroldertodriveagolfcar
2. Drive on neighborhood streets, marked roadside lanes, and multi-modal paths
3. Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals
4. Golf cars are subject to Florida's open alcoholic container laws
5. Speed not to exceed 20mph
6. Use hand and turn signals
7. Yield to automobiles
8. Come to a full stop at stop signs
9. Never enter a roundabout in a golfcar
10. Golf cars are prohibited from roadways with posted speeds of 35mph or more
1. Provideaseatforeachperson/pet
2. Secure children and pets
3. Keeppassengersseatedingolfcar
4. Keep arms and legs inside golf car
5. Enter traffic lane safely before turning left
6. Beawareofvehiclesturningright (across the golf car lane)
7. Maintaingolfcaraccordingto manufacturer's recommendations
8. Do not text/phone while driving
9. Limitpassingslowergolfcars
10. Pull off the path when you need to stop
RuLES OF THE RoAD
SAFETY TIPS
BEFORE You DRIVE
Make sure the horn, brakes and lights work. Check back-up alarm, tire pressure and applicable gauges. Before backing up, look behind and see that all is clear.
Ifyou have any landscaping or property management concerns while traveling throughout The Villages community, please call the District Customer Service Center at (352) 753-4508.
~Ci\11~·
Community Development Districts Village Community Development Districts

Golf carts are used on certain military bases as security vehicles with red lights.

In several islands where no cars allowed .

???Horns

Pleasure Island, off the southeastern coast of NC, has golf cart police. We are a golf cart island 🏝 😊

Glad to see there is at least a vague awareness of Atomic carts. One of our neighbors has one and has told tale of busybodies shouting at him to get his “car” off the paths. Hopefully, as they become more popular this will no longer be an issue.

Nothing new....Sheriff’s department has had golf carts for years. Seen them many times.

Wrong. Cops patrol in golf carts, 4 wheelers, bicycles etc depending on the area. Nothing new there at all

You should have asked the cop what it was being used for

They only enforce DUI on golf carts and you can’t have an open container either.

About 5 years ago at The Villages Outdoor Expo, Lieutenant Siemer of the Sumter County Sheriff Department did a workshop on bicycle safety. In that workshop someone asked why doesn't the sheriff's department have a golf cart? He said they did have one but it would only go 17 MPH so they do not use it for patrol but use it for special events.

I guess the Atomic cart came later.

Yes, the multimodal paths are private property. They will enforce DUI and official regulation size stop signs on the MMP's.

I agree to have safety in the Villages.

That’s nothing new. In most, maybe all states, red and blue lights are reserved for the law enforcement vehicle. The government snow plowing vehicles in Minnesota are allowed to have both amber and blue lights. All other vehicles with accessory warning lights I’ve seen in Minnesota have amber colored lights. I’ve only seen amber colored lights on the non government vehicles in Florida.

Those blue decorative light will need to be turned off or changed to a legal color.

I like it. I like to see cops around. Makes me feel safe.

i agree the fuzz has no right to be on the paths ---

I walk a lot on those multi-modal paths. I've observed that there is no shortage of those one-serving liquor bottles on and in the grass alongside the paths as well as the occasional (and sometimes not so occasional) empty beer can. Apparently that "no open container" rule is not taken quite as seriously by some Villagers as by others.

Ohiobuckeye
 

I agree with you totally. Never could figure out what the hurry was. We’re retired, we have all day to get home to lay on the couch. Or to get to their tee time, just leave sooner.

If they did start doing that they'll need a whole fleet of them with the capability to easily do 30 MPH to catch them violators!:1rotfl:

Here it is:

Several years ago at Spanish Springs I remember seeing a Lady Lake Police Office riding around the square on a Segway.

Multi- modals fall under the designation of Public Access. Law enforcement can enter and enforce safety related laws.

i've seen those, & have to admit, i didnt think they were allowed on the path. i try not to be a busybody, lol, but it did look odd

[QUOTE=Chi-Town;1974846]Here it is:[/QU

i'm sure this helps the officer reach places cars can't go. :popcorn:

The law seems to only prohibit flashing or rotating blue lights. If your undercarriage lights did not flash or rotate the officer was, I believe, wrong. If they did flash, he was right. Here is the statute [my bold]:

843.081 Prohibited use of certain lights; penalty.—
(1) The Legislature finds and declares that Florida’s citizens are vulnerable to becoming the victims of criminal acts through the illegal use of blue lights by the criminal elements. It is the intent of the Legislature to reduce this vulnerability to injury and loss of life and property by prohibiting the use of certain blue lights by any person other than an authorized law enforcement officer.
(2) It is unlawful for a person to use in or on any nongovernmentally owned vehicle or vessel any flashing or rotating blue light unless such person is a law enforcement officer employed by a federal, state, county, or city law enforcement agency or is a person appointed by the Governor pursuant to chapter 354.

Also remember to turn off turn signals.Rules

We have owned since 2006 never saw a Sherriff on the golf cart Path