Problems in Brownswood? - say it isn't so
 

I just read today a disturbing report about Brownwood ...kids/teenagers running around in Brownwood in the evening ... acting less than appropriate and Villagers feeling less than safe in that area at night. Please say it isn't so.

We haven't encountered a problem. Where did you read that?

The police station is right there on the square. They're good and will keep things in order.

I'll bet that police station is located there by design and not chance!

Ever since the Florida Lottery held that event with the Flamingos performing last March at Paddock Square, we've kind of quit going to LSL and go to Paddock Square instead. If a movie is playing at Barnstorm we'll go to that theater first. The only time I've seen kids are going in and out of the theater, which is kind of the same thing at the other two theaters. Sometimes they hang around outside the theater. That's amount it, no big deal. Your info sounds bogus.

http://www.thevillagestheatres.com/Images/2e1r37l.gif

I havd a problem
 

This is one of my pet peeves. Someone hears something disturbing or perhaps someone reads a disturbing report that causes be to go tsk, tsk....
Remember where, what, when and who?? What report, written by who and when was it written and where was it published?? All I got from your post was what and it was not very specific.

That's it we are selling!

Wild Wild West in Brownwood
 

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The Wild Wild West

October 4, 2013 By Ryan Erisman

I was down in Brownwood the other day and I was kind of surprised how empty it is still. Don’t get me wrong, its going to be AWESOME when its done, and I know everything takes time, but I thought it would be a little further along than it actually is.

Until it does fill up, there are going to be some issues.

Interestingly on the very same day I went down to Brownwood a reader sent me this…

Can you give me your perspective on why The Villages allow a mob of teenagers to run wild through the square after dark?

Last Saturday my family came to visit us and we chose City Fire in Brownwood for dinner. From 8:30 to 10 pm we watched about a dozen kids run from across the street from the Sales office and the park bench next to City Fire. There were three police officers and a few Villages trucks patrolling but did nothing to move the kids out of the square. I viewed two of them trying to open the door of the Sales Office and one boy punch a girl in the head with his fist. The whole scene sickened me as this was my biggest concern moving to Brownwood last week.

I tracked down one officer and asked why he allowed these kids to roam freely in The Villages, supposedly an area for adults 55 and over. He said he couldn’t do anything about them yelling and running through the streets because it wasn’t a crime. When told about them trying the doors and the assault on the girl, he said he didn’t see it so he couldn’t do anything about it.

I feel like I made a big mistake buying near Brownwood and do not feel as safe as I was told by many people. If anyone can come into The Village’s Squares, what’s from stopping them from entering our homes?

Also this week, ************** reported that golf clubs valued at more than $2,000 were stolen from two golf carts Monday evening while the golf carts were parked at Evans Prairie Country Club, the newest and southernmost country club in The Villages.

It sounds very much like the Wild West in the south end of The Villages at this point.

Now of course it will get better as time goes on and Brownwood becomes more populated and established, but how long will that take and at what inconvenience to early residents?

Who is Ryan Erisman?

Did a google search this is from a site called
thevillagesfloridabook.com/wildwildwest. When I tried to click to go to the website to see what it was my anti virus blocked it.

He wrote a book about the Villages and writes a monthly newsletter about the Villages. He does not live in the Villages.
Everything Smart Buyers Need to Know Before Moving to The Villages

Oh, an unbiased source! :22yikes:

He is author of "Complete Gude to The Villages". He presents a very fair, positive and realistic view of The Villages.

The Villages, Florida - Your Complete Guide

Scroll downward to October 4.........
Click on "The Wild Wild West, etc" to read.......

really? I can't believe people have become so easily triggered.
sad....

i need :popcorn:

Is this fiction or did this really happen is the question? If true or half true, I bet that the Developer will get a "handle" on the situation and soon. You don't invest the kind of $$$$$ as was invested in Brownwood and let a few teenagers scare off your customers.

You are absolutely right.

I don't get the problem. Some kids were running through the square....ok...kids do live here. Why can't they run around the squares? What did they do wrong?

I would not be put off by anything Erisman writes. I have his Guide and found it to be filled with stuff that most people know by the time they are 30. Little or no insight on The Villages.

we were in brownwood the first night it was open..the theater had lots of people young and old everyone was in awe of the square..yep young teens and young adults milling around, but you see that in LSL and SS....the most scary part of the evening was the golf carts going as fast as they could to get to that parking space that was just opened up...so not worried about the young kids more worried about walking across the street...this may be a good thread to keep people from going to brownwood so they can get a table at world of beer...LOL

He is a real estate agent and lives in Daytona Beach. He also wrote a book about Florida for Boomers and has a website for Arizona for boomers.

It was after reading Ryan Erisman's monthly newsletter today, that I became concerned. I indeed hoped that there was no validity to it and that was my reason for posting the thread ("...say it isn't so"). My husband and I are about to purchase a home just a stone's throw from Brownwood.

Some members of our family were visiting and when they left the movie theater around 9:30, those same bunch of kids were running all over Brownwood AGAIN. So for those tho haven't seen this, only a matter of time...These were not small kids, they were late teen and early 20's and it was after everything was closed down. Not always, but normally that means they are up to no good! They are probably not anyone's Grandchildren, On a good note, there were police everywhere,

Trying to understand what seems "unsafe" about them. If they are threatening other people, or are nearly running over somebody, then it would be a problem. Not sure....

I guess you are lucky they aren't operating a meth lab like them old white dudes.

Ah, it is finally said........................

What exactly are they doing? How are they being disruptive? What about their behavior makes you feel unsafe?

That will be nice to live close to the square.

Ah, that makes him an expert.

The Village Squares are open to adults and teenagers who live outside The Villages. All three squares are open to "outsiders". If you are concerned about teenagers hanging around movie theaters and the town squares, it happens. If you are making life decisions based on Ryan Erisman's ridiculous monthly newsletters, then best of luck to you.

Personally, I would choose to live further away from Wildwood and closer to the interior of The Villages.

Exactly.....

Do folks moving here seriously believe that only people over 55 live here?

It doesn't matter which square you are at. Kids, teenagers and under age people who are running around with no real purpose aren't what we signed up for at The Villages. Some of us moved from this type of atmosphere to get away from it. Running around the squares serves no purpose except to be disruptive. Someone needs to get a handle on it right away before it becomes a playground. Word travels fast amongst kids that the squares are a place to go to play around. We want to go enjoy the squares without being afraid of a group of kids running about intimidating us. Even if no physical damage is done by kids, sometimes their behavior is damaging enough among elderly people. Let's not allow the squares to become an alternative to hanging out at a mall. No good can come from it. Yes, I know,they are public squares but I feel like we have paid for them and should be able to enjoy them.

Boy howdy........YIKES!!!!!

? Problems in Brownwood.
 

If it "Doesn't matter their color" I would think there was no need to mention the color of their skin.

there are always going to be some of the old farts who think TV is in fact for over 55s and anybody younger especially teens and as stated black teens make some feel unsafe.

The invitation was say it isn't so....well it is not. Brownwood is no different tha LSL or SS town centers. It wasn't that many months ago when someone here was complaining about the teens "hanging around" LSL and making them nervous.

Once agian not only the isolated incident being treated as a general condition but embellished by someone who has THEIR OWN specific idea what constitutes safety in the MIND.

Anybody who is a resident of TV and frequents the town centers and appreciates the fact there is more to the social profile of the TV than what they see in the mirror.

The majority of us beleive we live in one of the safest environments on the planet.......the minority exception is noted.

btk

I am aware of the fact that the squares are open to all. Please forgive my ignorance on the issue of Ryan Erisman's credibility. I thought that the many good people who respond to questions and posts here - could speak first hand to the issue of whether there are concerns about Brownwood. I'm not sure what you mean by your statement " If you are making life decisions based on Ryan Erisman's ridiculous monthly newsletters, then best of luck to you."

I am not sure what Bare means either, but I do know that I have been reading her posts for years and that is the strongest statement she has ever made and the first one ever to be critical of anyone.

I know there is some good reason. Barefoot is fair and kind and considered and trustworthy.

I also agree with Billethekids's post above.

There was some vandalism at Lake Sumter Landing square a few months back. There was graffiti in and messed up public restroom. And a car windshield was broken where people parked who were picked up by buses for cruise vacation. These were two separate instances.

But how old the vandals were, we don't know.

When you have a public square, you have people who do not live here, but I know that my neighbor in Hadley, a retired New York Police Officer was hired to be an undercover security person at LSL, so I conclude that is done at all squares.

We are as safe here as any place on this earth.

In MY very humble opinion.

Well said!!!!!!!!!!