[robertj1954]

The police have a responsibility to protect. Citing people for drinking openly in public places and inside golf carts is an important part of that responsibility. The previous poster has already published the Florida Statute. Drinking within the square is no different then drinking inside a bar/restaurant. It is clear you don't walk outside with your alcoholic beverage, if you do your subject to a citation or arrest for open container. The local city/county Ordinances would apply, which like some posters have stated, should be published some where so Villagers can view it.

I am all for people having a good time in the public squares, if consuming an alcoholic beverage makes it a better time for you, great! Just be responsible and consume in the designated areas for drinking alcoholic beverages. Walking around the entire downtown area drinking alcohol and/or driving along the cart paths and roadways in your golf cart drinking is not a part of The Village dream in my view. I support our police officers as do the majority of Villagers. That response they should be looking for thief's, and rapists is a cheap shot. Every time you start your car/golf cart after consuming alcoholic beverages you are a potential killer!

[The Villager II]

I think it would be safer to drink a beer or two in your cart than it would to drink a few coffee's. I see more craziness from old codgers hopped up on caffeine than I do on alcohol. I also disagree with the statement "the majority of villages support the tickets". That may be correct at a church service, but not at the Town Squares. Drunk is one thing, enjoying a beer or a mixed drink is a totally different issue. I support the .08 rule, but don't tell me where I can consume up to that point. I believe that The Villages is a drinking friendly community and should stay that way. I also feel that drinking alcohol should not be looked at as a problem unless you abuse it no more than driving a car is a criminal act unless you become reckless. Drinking in public becomes an issue due to the self righteous views of non-drinkers.

Drink sensibly and enjoy.

[aln]

I see a trend in the posts that "someone" should post the rules about drinking.
That would work about as well as posting speed limits.

The rules are the rules and I'm sure TV & residents & guests are pushing the envelope with regards to THE LAW.

Even the fact that we can drive golf carts on public streets is a PRIVLEDGE let alone drinking on public streets.

If you don't give the cops a reason to look at you and watch you i don't think they will.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by Chief X

Why is it that so many people, with no law enforcement background or experience are so quick to make statements just because they don't agree with something? I'll never understand it, but I know that laws and powers of arrest are commonly misquoted. Everyone is an expert.

To the poster who stated that the police should be out looking for thieves, rapists and murderers..get real! All laws need to be enforced as much as practical. When is the last time that you looked a young mother eye to eye and had to tell her that her daughter was hit and killed by a drunk driver? My guess is --never.

To the poster who feels that watching the town squares for illegal (drunk driving) behavior is entrapment --do yourself a favor and look up the definition of entrapment in a criminal law dictionary. Sorry buddy, fail.

Regarding the question about keys in the ignition --although I am only familiar with NYS Vehicle and Traffic law, I know that many State laws mirror each other fairly closely. Why the key in the ignition issue comes into play is because under definitions, an operator would be a person operating a vehicle (including a golf cart), or a person in actual physical control of a vehicle. Keys in the ignition equates to being in actual physical control.
Many arrests in my past involved a drunk, passed out at the wheel (some even in the driving lane) with the vehicle engine off, but the key in the ignition. The operator, although not actually driving the car at the time that I came upon the scene, is still in actual physical control.

So the comment about "sitting in a golf cart with a beer can open, is not being an operator", I'm thinking he probably is an operator according to the law. But notice that I said that I'm "thinking" he is. Unlike you, who stated he is not an operator. If you know that as fact, fine. I don't think you do.

I don't mean to come off as having an attitude, but it's so common for everyone to jump to conclusions or be vocal about and misquote laws they have no clue about, just because they "think" they know the answer.

Like others have said on here, I too have lots of fun going out at night and either making arrangements for a ride home, or just not drinking. It's really not that difficult. Anyone living in the Villages who feels that there is too much enforcement and or the focus is on the wrong issues, I think should revisit their own lifestyle. I've never had a problem here with the law and it's very easy to obey the speed limits and enjoy all there is to enjoy.

Understand, I do drink and I enjoy it. I'm just smart about it.

Virginia differs slightly on the key in ignition. If the key is in the "on" position or something in the vehicle is running, ie. heat, air, radio etc, then that is considered "operating" for DUI charges.

[paulandjean]

Seems that whenever we bring up a point about the laws, ex-police here seems we are bashing them. Seems you should "Lighten Up" There are good police and bad police just like everything else. As a former schoolteacher I always had my students "think outside the box'.This is what a lot of people are doing here.I

[redwitch]

I'm sorry Sundance got a ticket for having an open container in a vehicle. It is hard to think that it may be against the law to sit in your golf cart with a beer at the town squares. However, it is. Plain and simple. Black and white. It is AGAINST the law. The police officer was doing his job. He was not harassing a villager. He was doing his duty.

I drive all over TV at all times of the day and night in my golf cart. I do my absolute best to not be moving between 8:45 and 9:30 pm on any night. Why? Because I know that is when many people are leaving the squares after enjoying the two-for-ones. I've seen some of these drivers. It really isn't safe to be on the path with them.

So, yes, it is sad if you were the one that was used to make an example for the rest of the people at the squares. Yes, it is probably an exercise in futility since people will simply skirt the law by not sitting in their carts and drinking. But maybe, just maybe, it will stop one or two from drinking and driving -- whether that drinking and driving is in a car or in a golf cart -- and that's the real purpose of the ticket.

[graciegirl]

There are those...for whatever reason, feel that rules are restrictive and have a REAL problem with them. There are those, for whatever reason, don't like some rules, but don't break them or challenge them. There are those who don't like the rules and try to change them through legal and recognizable processes. There are those who don't question any rules at all and there are those who question pretty much all rules.

There are those who are mad they got caught breaking the law.

There are decent law abiding policeman. Most of them.

There are arrogant bullies wearing the uniform, the minority by far.

If you are a nurse and wear the uniform, you represent all nurses.

If you are a policeman and wear the uniform you represent all policeman.

It is whether you care about that...or care equally about others as you care for yourself that defines you...in my book. No matter what you do.

[Loveithere]

As a walking aficionado, I am witness to many traffic scenarios. In my humble opinion, the contractors speeding around and blowing through stop signs are the biggest danger to my life. That is exactly what happened to my neighbor a few short months ago. He was killed by contractor while driving his golf cart.
Harassing the good people at the town squares is a waste of time to me.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by Sundance

My husband and I were enjoying a few beers Saturday when two police officers shinned flashlights into our golf cart and gave us tickets for open containers. Very bad experience and will not go back. So beware, you can get ticketed even walking around with drinks from the outside bars if you are not in the square. Villages is not fun anymore.

Thanks for posting.... Good to know!

[dillywho]

OK, I get it that it is about having an open container in a vehicle and the open container law. What I don't understand is why this ticketing is just now coming about. Why were both people ticketed instead of just the one behind the wheel?

We have been here almost 8 years and as far as I have heard, this writing tickets started just within the last year. I know people in the last 8 years and before have done it so it's not something that those who drink have just suddenly started doing. Just because you are sitting in a golf cart drinking instead of in front of it in your chair, doesn't make you any less safe to drive than when you fold up/put up your chair and then get behind the wheel and drive home.

[asianthree]

We do know how to get a good post going.....welcome to the fall season can't wait till January with more new people here...be carefull to all

[billethkid]

I am not a retired police officer but I think any time people are groaning because of law enforcement it is because they got caught and deserve it.

To rail on about them being out looking for rape and murder instead is rather school childish lashing out.

As far as posting signs, how many and for what laws?? All of them? Really?
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
If you buy a boat or car or what ever, it is the owners responsibility to KNOW the laws about the item as well as how to operate.

And accusing it as a source of funding....it is!!! The same kind of rasberries are dispensed about the police when they have speed traps set up along the road ways. I personally think they should hire more cops with the specific intent of forcing TV residents to obey the laws they freely, knowingly go about breaking.
The fines would pay for the additional coverage and we would have a safer place to live.

There are way, way too many residents who operate on the basis it is not illegal unless one is caught and live that way. When they get caught and fined they raise cain about the police doing their job.

Book 'em Danno!!!!!!!!!!!

btk

[The Villager II]

Originally Posted by Loveithere

As a walking aficionado, I am witness to many traffic scenarios. In my humble opinion, the contractors speeding around and blowing through stop signs are the biggest danger to my life. That is exactly what happened to my neighbor a few short months ago. He was killed by contractor while driving his golf cart.
Harassing the good people at the town squares is a waste of time to me.

And harassment is just what this was. It is not against the law to have two beers in the restaurant and then drive home in a car or a cart. The open container law is harassment plain and simple. The police officer could have told them the law and left it at that. I am quite certain they did not know it was doing anything wrong. Hold drivers or sitters over the .08 limit responsible and stop harassing some poor individual due to an honest mistake. Drunks are the violators and they are sneaky enough not to get caught unless they crash into someone or something. A BEER or A WINE should be treated no different than A GLASS OF MILK unless the drinker is lactose intolerant in which case they would cause more harm than the wine or beer drinker. Don't punish the innocent just because you are mad at the guilty but can't catch them. Find better methods to catch drunk drivers and leave honest citzens alone.

[cybrgeezer]

Originally Posted by Harry Gilbert

Tagged vehicle or not, makes no difference. You can be given a DUI on a lawn mower or bicycle if your on a public roadway. Sounds strange but its happened.

Here in Jacksonville, many of our entertainment venues are at Jacksonville Beach. The beach area is compact and parking is at a premium, so locals in that area often get around on their bicycles.

No weekend is complete without a few tickets given for operating a bike while drunk.

[pooh]

In my life, three families that I know were impacted as the result of drunk drivers. One was the family of a classmate while in grammar school. Her father lost his life in an accident caused by a drunk driver. The second person was my father's boss...again an accident caused by a drunk driver and a life lost. The third was the newly engaged daughter of a family friend. She and her fiancee had just returned from a date, they were sitting on her car, which was parked in the street. A drunk driver hit the car and she was killed right in front of her home. I have this thing for ANYONE who might be driving while under the influence.

My brother in law was a police officer...he was good and believe me it wasn't an easy job. Of course there are bad officers, but there are more good than not and each and every day they risk their lives to help keep us safe.

The law states no alcoholic beverages while sitting in golf carts...it's Florida law and probably the law in a number of other states. People, you're adults, stop responding like spoiled children who can't have their way. As sad as it seems, ignorance of the law is not excuse so now that those who didn't know, know, behave accordingly.