[livefree]

I have really enjoyed Brownwood since it opened last year, as well as the other town squares, but now I'm reluctant to ever go back to Brownwood.

Last night (Saturday) at Brownwood, as I crossed the street and walked toward the dance area on the west side of the sound stage, a group of young people (in their twenties or so) was gathered around one guy but I wasn't really paying attention. Suddenly as I got closer, I saw half the body and head of a gigantic python lunge outward from the guy's shoulders, and in my direction. I thought I'd have a heart attack right then and there. Just thinking about it 24 hours later makes me sick to my stomach.

I can think of few things more horrifying than a python on display over a guy's shoulders, and lunging outward at pedestrians, on the town square. The group of admirers laughed at my horrified reaction.

I reluctantly continued to the seating area and sat down and told a woman next to me about it. She said another woman had called the police about this gigantic snake, but apparently they told her they couldn't do anything about it.

What is WRONG with people who would do something like this?? It's my understanding the town squares are private property and not public (as the streets are).

Why would anyone tolerate a giant python at the town square where people come to enjoy themselves, NOT be scared to death??

[CFrance]

The squares are not private property.

[kaydee]

Had to be a frightening situation. Some people do some crazy things just for attention and I guess in this case he drew attention.
For the record, the town squares as well as the streets within The Villages are not private property.

[rdhdleo]

I can only think someone would bring a potentially dangerous animal to someplace like the square just to shock and get reactions from people. Sad the police could not do anything.

[PJUCTH]

I always thought the actual entertainment area was private. They have no smoking rules as well as rules that state you can not bring your own coolers. They have announcments about it at every break.

[DonH57]

I'm sure the Python wasn't happy about it either. That's a stupid thing to do to a snake. I personally don't like snakes and I do know they are just as scared of us as we are of them.

[missypie]

Please Villages, do something about these people. That's all I need is my parents in their 80's seeing a python while we are enjoying the squares and they have a heart attack from fear!!!!

[livefree]

Originally Posted by PJUCTH

I always thought the actual entertainment area was private. They have no smoking rules as well as rules that state you can not bring your own coolers. They have announcments about it at every break.

That's exactly what I was thinking. There are rules for the squares. So who do we contact about a NO REPTILES rule?

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by kaydee

Had to be a frightening situation. Some people do some crazy things just for attention and I guess in this case he drew attention.
For the record, the town squares as well as the streets within The Villages are not private property.

Originally Posted by CFrance

The squares are not private property.

So if the town squares are not private property who owns them?

They are owned by the developer aren't they?

"She said another woman had called the police about this gigantic snake, but apparently they told her they couldn't do anything about it".

This seems to be the answer on about everything....can't do anything about anything.

[CFrance]

It was my understanding that the squares are public property and that the businesses around the squares pay for the entertainment. Don't know where the no-smoking rule comes from. Is smoking banned in public places in municipalities around FL?

When our son was in college, his girlfriend had a ball python. We (reluctantly) babysat it once. I'm not a fan of snakes, but they are not dangerous. They don't bite; they strangle their prey. Unless you're a mouse or a rat, you're fine.

I'm wondering... if you are that afraid of snakes, how did you know what kind of snake it was?

Stupid of those kids to have it in a public square, I do agree.

[livefree]

Originally Posted by CFrance

It was my understanding that the squares are public property and that the businesses around the squares pay for the entertainment. Don't know where the no-smoking rule comes from. Is smoking banned in public places in municipalities around FL?

When our son was in college, his girlfriend had a ball python. We (reluctantly) babysat it once. I'm not a fan of snakes, but they are not dangerous. They don't bite; they strangle their prey. Unless you're a mouse or a rat, you're fine.

I'm wondering... if you are that afraid of snakes, how did you know what kind of snake it was?

Stupid of those kids to have it in a public square, I do agree.

I knew what kind of snake it was because I have seen people stupid enough to have one as a pet before. The thing was about 5 inches in diameter and was unmistakeable!! And then there are the constant articles with pictures about how these things are ruining the Everglades.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by livefree

I knew what kind of snake it was because I have seen people stupid enough to have one as a pet before. The thing was about 5 inches in diameter and was unmistakeable!! And then there are the constant articles with pictures about how these things are ruining the Everglades.

There are tons of people who have snakes as pets. Never heard them labeled as stupid before.

Again, this sounds like a bunch of young people trying to scare others. Keep walking and ignore them. It's not a dangerous snake, just scary to come upon if you haven't had experience with them. Perhaps you should contact the sheriff or whoever supervises the officers who told you they could do nothing. There might be something that can be done. The officers could have been wrong. Or lazy.

[blueash]

Sorry that so many are afraid of snakes, needlessly. Just another person who likes to take a pet to the squares thinking people will share their love of animals? No concerns here with snake poop or the snake taking up a seat or tripping over the snake's leash or being allergic to snakes. I would have thought it was interesting to see, just don't let it go into the wild please.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by CFrance

There are tons of people who have snakes as pets. Never heard them labeled as stupid before.

Again, this sounds like a bunch of young people trying to scare others. Keep walking and ignore them. It's not a dangerous snake, just scary to come upon if you haven't had experience with them. Perhaps you should contact the sheriff or whoever supervises the officers who told you they could do nothing. There might be something that can be done. The officers could have been wrong. Or lazy.

I believe the Brownwood Town Square area is in the police jurisdiction of Wildwood.

Every time I read that someone reported an objectionable activity to the police and that the police said they couldn't do anything, the police showed a lack of imagination.

In this case the police should have talked to the snake owner and discussed the ramifications of Florida Statute 823.01 which says "All nuisances that tend to annoy the community, injure the health of the citizens in general, or corrupt the public morals are misdemeanors of the second degree..." It is broadly written. All that is required is that the presence of the snake in the town square area "tends" to "annoy" the community. The police officers themselves could be the complainants.

This discussion would most likely result in the immediate departure of the snake owner and the snake from the area.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

I believe the Brownwood Town Square area is in the police jurisdiction of Wildwood.

Every time I read that someone reported an objectionable activity to the police and that the police said they couldn't do anything, the police showed a lack of imagination.

In this case the police should have talked to the snake owner and discussed the ramifications of Florida Statute 823.01 which says "All nuisances that tend to annoy the community, injure the health of the citizens in general, or corrupt the public morals are misdemeanors of the second degree..." It is broadly written. All that is required is that the presence of the snake in the town square area "tends" to "annoy" the community. The police officers themselves could be the complainants.

This discussion would most likely result in the immediate departure of the snake owner and the snake from the area.

Thank you. That's good information.