Teenagers at Town Squares after hours
 

We returned to The Villages the day before yesterday and chatted with our neighbor who had been a Police Officer in New York and now that they have retired he worked as a security person at TV Hospital but recently took a job with The Villages as a person who is keeping an eye on the teenagers who he says are hanging out after ten in the evening at the town squares. They are from neighboring towns and come here to get together.

I didn't ask him what problems they caused and so I am asking you. Anyone know anything about this. Is it a big problem?

Gracie:

If they cause trouble after 10pm, you really think any Villager will know about it? :jester:

I mean aren't we all in bed and asleep? :a040:

And, seriously, we do know that if there's trouble, the Daily Sun isn't going to tell us about it!

SWR
:beer3:

GG, we noticed groups of teenagers when we were there in July. We did talk about it amongst ourselves but then decided maybe it had something to do with it being summer time and familys were visiting, or maybe it was the children of those working in TV??...etc. We didn't observe any bad behavior...just groups of teens gathering. I certainly hope that it doesn't become a problem; it is good to know they are keeping an eye on it.

I did find myself wondering what percentage of people in the squares at night are from neighboring towns...anybody have a guess?

in summer
 

I have noticed more in the summer (grandchildren/guests of residents), but mostly in Spanish Springs, as it is easier for people outside of The Villages to get to. In fact there are lots of adults from outside TV in SS many evenings.
J :024:

Spanish Springs is very accessible to outsiders. That is why it is located where it is. The store operators depend on outside business. The location of the third town square, close to Rte.44, also needs to attract the dollars yielded by non-Villagers. Along with propersity comes some pain. The kids just wanna have fun.

I think the biggest draw is the movies. When you have several movies showing that appeal to that age group.
There is not a lot for area kids to do and TV is the closest for them to see a movie or grab a burger.
As long as they do not cause any problems and have respect for the people and property there is not much that can be done.
Several weeks ago I was going up the ramp over 441 and had to move over because of several kids walking............but if they were visiting then that is the safest way for them to cross the highway I guess.

Well I suppose they are attracted by the same things we are. A good time in a safe place.

Better than Dogs
 

For my money I'd prefer to see teenagers in Town Squares rather than Dogs and Cats. Although some of them should be on leashes (teenagers) they don't poop on the street, bark at people who pass them by and they certainly don't smell and lick people's feet.

I know. I know. I am not there yet and probably should not express an opinion on this, but it is a general topic that I know a little something about.

From what Kathie just said, it sounds to me like TV is handling this with just the right touch.

There is an art to dealing with teenagers who are just hanging out, and I bet there are quite a few retired police officers in TV who know exactly how to do this. When Kathie said that they are walking around and talking to the kids, I thought, that sounds right. Sheriff Taylor not Barney Fife.

I am not naive. Of course, there are times when groups of teenagers can cause problems. But it sounds to me like TV is heading off problems with the presence of those officers who know what they're doing.

And believe it or not, some people who have worked with teenagers actually like them. And kids pick up on that. So if TV hires the right kind of experience, it will work out. Especially starting the patrols before anything gets out of hand.


But wait! I guess it was Barney Fife who said, "Nip it! Nip it in the bud!"

Here's Barney........

(This shows the attitude that an experienced officer DOES NOT take with teenagers. Those guys know what to do. I bet Villagers are in good hands if TV hired those officers right.)

I hope you will watch Barney here as he shows what not to do. Attitude can be everything. And Barney gets it wrong. You are going to smile I bet...........

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de_P2aUZJyA&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

Boomer

And hey! Who knows? Maybe those teenagers will learn about really good music and they will like it.

Don't be so sure about your statement above. There are teenagers and then there are teenagers - - as well there are dogs (and dog owners) and then there are dogs (and dog owners).

What I'm saying is if they are good no problem but when the bad ones get in the trouble starts.

Thanks Boomer for the post----it did make me smile.

Seems that 'we' and our constables are doing the nipping with discretion.
We were all teenagers (some of us still are!) and those teens all going to be adults soon enough.
One of the concerns we heard was that once the new town square opens, it will draw many outside TV from areas like Wildwood and Leesburg, teens and older adults, with more regularity due to its convenience to 301 and SR44.

While it might be a NIMBY issue, it's still something of interest to all.

We do appreciate social tolerance and diversity are looking forward to our upcoming relocation to the home we already own in TV.