[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by lewie

This is so alarming! Might there be a common denominator among those who were burglarized? For example, builder, subcontractors, service providers, social circles?

Here is what I think, if you are leaving together and you see lawn people near your home. WAIT.


Our friends who live on the coast in a truly gated community had a rash of daytime burglaries and it was traced a man working for a lawn service phoning a friend when he saw both people leave their home.

[birdawg]

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.

[angiefox10]

I have been in here posting about this for awhile.

What I know for sure.... is this didn't just start. It's just now getting attention. I have posted that my husband has had to go to court for another issue about once a month. He has been seeing the people who have come before the judge every month. Not just one... but many. Can it only be, they are all being tried on the same day of the month he is in court?

I know there is more than one person doing this. Every time my husband is at the courthouse there are probably three to five people appearing before the judge for theft in The Villages. Those are the people they have caught.

I mention this because I fear that people will think if they catch someone... They have caught "the one".

Now... What I think....

I think that because this has not been reported people have a false sense of security and we are easy pickens. I think there aren't as many people on TOTV as people would like to think. I think that everyone who reads this needs to send an email out to everyone they know in The Villages, so there will be enough people watching... The paper boy will have a hard time getting through the neighborhood. Once everyone knows that we are aware of what's going on, and are vigilant about stopping people, asking questions, and calling the police... They will realize that it's just not safe for them here.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by birdawg

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.

Maybe it would be hard because there is no telling what time the perpetrator's car entered the gate, no photo of the vehicle leaving and no one knowing what vehicle the perpetrator used? Does that village gate even have a camera?

[swimdawg]

At the risk of being thrown under the bus....like I was the other night, I want to thank OscarO, LadyLaw, CarGuys and others for enlightening us, educating us, clueing us in, etc. for what is going on in our community.

Like Oscar said, our community is one of the safest. However, we are growing.

I have learned a lot the past few days about what I should do for prevention of crime. I worked in healthcare for many years and I believe in preventative care. The same can be said to prevent crime.

Thank you to those who "woke me up".

I hope the info given can prevent at least one crime, one break-in, one burglary.

Gratefully,
Karen

[ijusluvit]

I wonder how many folks leave at least one outside window or door unlocked at night?

My guess is the number is shockingly high. Even after some years of living here, this place creates a kind of euphoria which contributes to folks feeling a little safer than they are. I'm NOT suggesting we are not safe here. The opposite is true, but there is that constant idea of REALITY which should enter our thinking and give us a bit more caution than many of us seem to have. When we love it here and pinch ourselves because we're not sure how we could have been fortunate to have such a good retirement strategy, we leave ourselves more open and possible vulnerable.

I think the solution is to talk about this more often. We need to share more info about solid, affordable security plans, devices, etc. And we need to talk with our neighbors about plans for directly watching over each other.

[Barefoot]

I always assumed my dogs would be an excellent deterrent to anyone contemplating a break-in. The two dogs in Miona Shores slept through the robbery. And apparently the criminals moved the doggie door containing the dogs, and they were roaming through the house. I guess I better rethink my barking security system.

[swimdawg]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

I wonder how many folks leave at least one outside window or door unlocked at night?

My guess is the number is shockingly high. Even after some years of living here, this place creates a kind of euphoria which contributes to folks feeling a little safer than they are. I'm NOT suggesting we are not safe here. The opposite is true, but there is that constant idea of REALITY which should enter our thinking and give us a bit more caution than many of us seem to have. When we love it here and pinch ourselves because we're not sure how we could have been fortunate to have such a good retirement strategy, we leave ourselves more open and possible vulnerable.

I think the solution is to talk about this more often. We need to share more info about solid, affordable security plans, devices, etc. And we need to talk with our neighbors about plans for directly watching over each other.

Gotta lighten this up a bit. Where is the LIKE button....or the AGREE button???

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by birdawg

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.

Miona Shores is adjacent to another community and a public park. Someone could park in either area and walk in, avoiding the cameras.

[The Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

Maybe it would be hard because there is no telling what time the perpetrator's car entered the gate, no photo of the vehicle leaving and no one knowing what vehicle the perpetrator used? Does that village gate even have a camera?

Even if there are non cameras at the gates.....how about signs "SMILE...your on closed circuit video!"

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by birdawg

I thought when you entered a village your picture was taken at the gate. If this was true how hard would it be to figure out who was there, at those hours.

ANYONE can gain access to the streets in many/most villages without going through a gate....not driving....golf cart....walk in.

If one had a forum like TOTV in their previous home location and every break in or crime incidence in that location were put on the forum how would it compare?

We are a population of 100,000 plus with many, many, MANY more outside service providers than in a non retirement neighborhood. Plenty of action for opportunists. And as much as we don't like to hear it, some think the elderly are easy pickings.

I think it is unfortunate that some feel the TV is more secure because it is "gated". The "gates" provide traffic control....of sorts?!! TV is not a gated community. It is open to anybody that wants to come down our streets, anytime they want.

We have less crime than most communities our size.
Our streets are safer than most communities our size.
Our homes are easier to get into than those in most communities our size.
Security is a function of one's lifestyle and or not a function of one's lifestyle.

One can take steps/actions to minimize or avoid being/becoming a victim....it does not come from anybody else.

[The Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

Maybe it would be hard because there is no telling what time the perpetrator's car entered the gate, no photo of the vehicle leaving and no one knowing what vehicle the perpetrator used? Does that village gate even have a camera?

Even if there are no cameras at the gates.....how about signs "SMILE...your on closed circuit video!"

[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I always assumed my dogs would be an excellent deterrent to anyone contemplating a break-in. The two dogs in Miona Shores slept through the robbery. And apparently the criminals moved the doggie door containing the dogs, and they were roaming through the house. I guess I better rethink my barking security system.

That isn't encouraging. I was counting on the same. Yowzer.

[KyWoman]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Miona Shores is adjacent to another community and a public park. Someone could park in either area and walk in, avoiding the cameras.

Grace, Miona Shores has only one entrance/exit and is bordered with high walls and Lake Miona. One could jump the wall, but it might be difficult to escape with a large TV and other items that were taken.

This robbery that occured while the owners were sleeping has really alarmed me and we will be installing an alarm system....along with the security system we already have.

These low lifes better think twice about breaking into someone's home while the owners are sleeping. They just might find someone who wakes easily with a loaded weapon at their side.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I always assumed my dogs would be an excellent deterrent to anyone contemplating a break-in. The two dogs in Miona Shores slept through the robbery. And apparently the criminals moved the doggie door containing the dogs, and they were roaming through the house. I guess I better rethink my barking security system.

Where did you read about the doggie door being moved?