Who to call? Sheriff or Community Watch?
 

There was a recent post saying community watch was called with regard to prowlers. We need a discussion here of what situations are and are not appropriate for community watch to handle. My new house came with instructions that if there was an emergency to call Community Watch and a special number for Emergencies on the weekend.
What do you all think is appropriate and not for CW to respond?

Good question Kitty I was told by C.W. that they watch the community that's it. if in need of help I would call the sheriff's office.

Sheriff's office.....for basically everything. community watch is no more empowered than the homeowner.

Yes, good question Kitty. They WATCH! I do not believe they are sanctioned to do anything more. They have radio communication. So by the time they respond, do nothing but use the radio to summon help, you could have had the proper coverage by calling police yourself. Hopefully sooner.

I would call the cops. Neighborhood watch is for non-threatening stuff.

Z

Agree - call the cops then if you feel like it tell community watch you called the cops. They really can't do anything and better the perp is caught than chased off by community watch. But for sure do something if things don't look right.

Call 911 unless it is not an emergency.
 

I would call 911 if you suspect a prowler in the neighborhood. Just hope it is not a opossum, raccoon, feral cat, or something else.

911 can direct you to the right agency.

Our dog got lose a number of years ago from a front door not being securely shut by a house guest and everyone else at a dinner somewhere else. We called Community Watch which had had a helpful dog rescuer call them before we called.

If I felt threatened I'd call them both.

This is correct. When in doubt call 911

I agree with Patty! Call both. Here's the reason I say that ... the Community Watch patrol is in your neighborhood, only minutes from your home. Although they are not permitted to enforce any laws, they are at least there to help quickly. Also call 911. It may take a sheriff quite some time to get to you if they are busy and your call is low priority. Community Watch will also call dispatch, to call the sheriff, and may have a little more persuasion in getting them there quicker. At least they will be an extra pair of eye in the event something needs to be documented.

Community watch = ambassadors on the golf course!

btk

My take is that community watch is there to see that covenants and restrictions are enforced, nothing more, and even that is marginal (mention to them that a public area is weedy and you get a card with a number to call). They are a presence but can do nothing. So, 9-1-1 is whom I would call for something suspicious, especially of the human variety.

Actually, Red, the covenants are enforced by the community standards department, based on owner complaints.

They are there to watch. To call the police if needed or any other folks if needed and to help in a lot of ways. They are kinda like a triage nurse. They aren't law enforcement. It is comforting for me to see them drive through our neighborhoods day and night.

If you need law enforcement, call the sheriffs office. Or the Lady Lake police, or the National Guard. or ...

Or the girl gang with squirt guns.

from the october poa bulletin:
'3) Is it true that Community Watch really does not know what is going on and simply drives around? A) They are a presence and serve a patrol function. They are not really on the hook to necessarily notice anything and rarely ever get out of their truck. They are not law enforcement. If you have someone that you are concerned with in your neighborhood you should call the County Sheriff’s office or 911 and report that there is a SUSPICIOUS person - the key word is SUSPICIOUS – or advise them that you FELT THREATENED and they will most likely send out a deputy to check it out.'
Property Owners, Association of Florida

another great article in that bulletin re the possible future of the tierra el sol restaurant bldg - will the acc buy that, too?

Redwitch, I believe you are mistaken a bit. If it is covenants and restriction you are speaking of, that is Community Standards, NOT Community Watch. Two different entities. Weeds would also fall under Community Standards. Community Watch answers and addresses residents request for such things as animal issues, accidents, repairing gates which are hit, move-ins, debris in roadways, garage doors left up all evening, etc..., etc..., etc...

I know one Community Watch driver who was highly offended by this article in the POA and contacted the editor. Was told it was a group of people who meet and discuss such topics that stated this in the article. He suggested they should actually follow him around some day to see exactly what it is he does. He is out of his truck more than in it, answering the calls of residents for help, some legit, some, well lets just say, because they like to complain about anything. Keep in mind, these men and women work all hours of the day and evening for minimum wage. I couldn't imagine driving around from midnight to 8:00am and not being bored out of my mind. That would last for about 2 nights with me.

Community Watch will report to Community Standards if a yard is exceedingly unkempt. Otherwise, not sure what they do besides drive around. I've yet to see or hear of them calling in on any issue besides yards on their own. I have seen them radio/call in something when stopped by a resident. Sorry, they are as much security as the gates are to my mind -- a deterrent to those who don't know better but little use otherwise.