[JohnN]

Well, I was picking up the mail at the Hemingway pool and my battery died in the car (only vehicle here). I could have asked a neighbor, but I thought, hey.. Community Watch can help, I bet.

I call 'em up. Guy says he's not sure if they have cables, let him check.
He talks to some other guy there, sure they've got cables and they'll be right out, I think "hey that's great, thanks". 20 minutes later, guy shows up from CW and says his boss sent him out, and asks what the problem is, I say "dead battery". He says, "well, if you have AAA, I can phone them for you". I replied, I thought you were bringing cables out here, he says
"no, we don't have any battery cables and I can't give you a jump".

So, 30 minutes after I call, I'm sitting there, going to plan B which should have been Plan-A, my neighbor helps me out.

Does Community Watch actually do anything constructive?
If so, I'd feel a lot better about my mini-rant.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by JohnN

Well, I was picking up the mail at the Hemingway pool and my battery died in the car (only vehicle here). I could have asked a neighbor, but I thought, hey.. Community Watch can help, I bet.

I call 'em up. Guy says he's not sure if they have cables, let him check.
He talks to some other guy there, sure they've got cables and they'll be right out, I think "hey that's great, thanks". 20 minutes later, guy shows up from CW and says his boss sent him out, and asks what the problem is, I say "dead battery". He says, "well, if you have AAA, I can phone them for you". I replied, I thought you were bringing cables out here, he says
"no, we don't have any battery cables and I can't give you a jump".

So, 30 minutes after I call, I'm sitting there, going to plan B which should have been Plan-A, my neighbor helps me out.

Does Community Watch actually do anything constructive?
If so, I'd feel a lot better about my mini-rant.

Just wondering where you read the Community Watch responded to disabled vehicles?

[chuckster]

Then he said...........

[Bogie Shooter]

Now its time for........

[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Just wondering where you read the Community Watch responded to disabled vehicles?

Wouldn't hurt to have a pair of jumper cables in the truck ......Their own battery might die while talking to a gate guard........

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Just wondering where you read the Community Watch responded to disabled vehicles?

I've read and re-read the original post, and I see nowhere that it was said that the poster "read that Community Watch responds to disabled vehicles."

He did exactly what many people would do, call the organization that you would expect to be of some help or at least offer advice. His mistake was taking them at their word that they would help.

I'm curious where you may have read that they don't help in these instances.

[paulandjean]

this cannot be real.you call community watch? because your car will not start? Its like your not in the middle of the freeway at midnight. call a friend, call AAA but do not waste their time.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by JohnN

Does Community Watch actually do anything constructive? If so, I'd feel a lot better about my mini-rant.

Hey John, the occasional mini-rant makes TOTV a more interesting place!

I think Community Watch vehicles drive the neighbourhoods and report any suspicious activity to the Police. And they give warnings if they see any covenant violations (e.g., if you've painted your front door purple).

Sadly, I don't think their mission extends to giving a helping hand to Village residents. I hope I'm wrong.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

.... do not waste their time.

What is the role of Community Watch?

[pooh]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

What is the role of Community Watch?

Here it is......from VCDD

Community Watch

Community Watch is the eyes of The Villages. We are not a law enforcement agency, but we do work closely with the Sheriff's departments of Lake, Marion and Sumter counties as well as the Lady Lake Police Department. We conduct roving patrols in all districts (VCCDD, SLCDD and Districts 1-10) and are responsible for manning all gates in that same coverage area.

Some of services we provide Village Residents are:

• House Checks — If you should take a vacation or be away from your home for more than seven days Community Watch will walk the perimeter of your home for a minimal fee.
• Dispatch Center — Community Watch mans a dispatch Center 24 hours a day 7 days a week in an effort to ensure that Village Residents always have a person to contact should you have any question we may help you with. Our number at our Dispatch Center is 753-0550.
• Adult Watch Program — Village residents may sign up for the Community Watch Adult Watch Program by coming into the Community Watch Office at 3130 Glenview Road, filling out a simple form and we will call any resident that wishes to participate in our program at various times during the day. This program provides those who live alone with a sense of reassurance.
• Community Watch Office — We at the Community Watch office are the organizational and directional hub of all services provided by this Division. We are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and we ask that all residents with concerns contact our office for assistance. To contact us call 753-0550 -- our staff will be pleased to serve you.

Re: Community Watch Dispatch: We have an operator located at our Dispatch Center. This Dispatch Center is manned 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 753-0550. This Dispatch Center will help you with your concerns, assist you in reaching necessary services and/or telephone the proper authorities for you. The Dispatch Center will also send law enforcement or one of our vehicles when necessary.

http://www.districtgov.org/departmen...ity-watch.aspx

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by pooh

Here it is......from VCDD

Community Watch

Community Watch is the eyes of The Villages. We are not a law enforcement agency, but we do work closely with the Sheriff's departments of Lake, Marion and Sumter counties as well as the Lady Lake Police Department. We conduct roving patrols in all districts (VCCDD, SLCDD and Districts 1-10) and are responsible for manning all gates in that same coverage area.

Some of services we provide Village Residents are:

* House Checks — If you should take a vacation or be away from your home for more than seven days Community Watch will walk the perimeter of your home for a minimal fee.
* Dispatch Center — Community Watch mans a dispatch Center 24 hours a day 7 days a week in an effort to ensure that Village Residents always have a person to contact should you have any question we may help you with. Our number at our Dispatch Center is 753-0550.
* Adult Watch Program — Village residents may sign up for the Community Watch Adult Watch Program by coming into the Community Watch Office at 3130 Glenview Road, filling out a simple form and we will call any resident that wishes to participate in our program at various times during the day. This program provides those who live alone with a sense of reassurance. Won't swear to it, but I believe there is a fee for this, as well.
* Community Watch Office — We at the Community Watch office are the organizational and directional hub of all services provided by this Division. We are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and we ask that all residents with concerns contact our office for assistance. To contact us call 753-0550 -- our staff will be pleased to serve you.

Re: Community Watch Dispatch: We have an operator located at our Dispatch Center. This Dispatch Center is manned 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 753-0550. This Dispatch Center will help you with your concerns, assist you in reaching necessary services and/or telephone the proper authorities for you. The Dispatch Center will also send law enforcement or one of our vehicles when necessary.

http://www.districtgov.org/departmen...ity-watch.aspx

I ran out of gas (yes, my fault, but still) at 11:00 pm on the golf cart path by Lake Miona. I watched 3 Community Watch trucks drive by -- not one stopped to see if anyone was in true distress -- while I waited for a friend to help me.

I once stopped a Community Watch truck and explained that my neighbor's garage door had been left open for three days, which was not the norm for him (he was an ill-tempered alcoholic with diabetes). I asked if they could either check on him or call the appropriate authorities to do so. They said they would. Two days later, the man's brother called the police to check on his brother. Turns out the man had burned to death in his home after falling into a diabetic coma.

So, when and where are they ever helpful to anyone? They're friendly, they wave hi to you, they chat to the gate guards, they drive around and are a presence, they do write citations if you don't follow the covenants and restrictions, but I don't see where they're truly particularly helpful.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I ran out of gas (yes, my fault, but still) at 11:00 pm on the golf cart path by Lake Miona. I watched 3 Community Watch trucks drive by -- not one stopped to see if anyone was in true distress -- while I waited for a friend to help me.

I once stopped a Community Watch truck and explained that my neighbor's garage door had been left open for three days, which was not the norm for him (he was an ill-tempered alcoholic with diabetes). I asked if they could either check on him or call the appropriate authorities to do so. They said they would. Two days later, the man's brother called the police to check on his brother. Turns out the man had burned to death in his home after falling into a diabetic coma.

So, when and where are they ever helpful to anyone? They're friendly, they wave hi to you, they chat to the gate guards, they drive around and are a presence, they do write citations if you don't follow the covenants and restrictions, but I don't see where they're truly particularly helpful.

You were on the cart path? The trucks were on the road? It's unfortunate that they didn't at least ask you if you needed them to call someone. They were driving, and in all honesty, they might not have really "noticed" you there. Having no transportation at 11 PM isn't a good thing! (Sorry when I started writing, I forgot that you said it was 11...so I've been editing and obviously not doing a good job...lol)

About the neighbor...How sad that he died in such a manner. If his garage door was up for 3 days, why didn't someone in the neighborhood call the sheriff earlier? Sadly, by the time the door had been open even one day, he was probably already gone. It might have been worth calling to find out why no one from Community Watch notified the authorities when they were asked to do so.

My feelings about Community Watch....some who patrol are better than others. On occasion I've seen the truck go around our loop much to fast for the driver to notice ANYTHING

[redwitch]

While we Villagers are under the illusion, they are there to help protect us, I think the reality is far from that. They make sure everything looks "pretty." If an individual needs help, let's hope a Villager stops because the odds are that CW will wave hi and continue checking that no one breaks the rules.

[JohnN]

redwitch,
Bingo, you've got it. I'm so sorry to hear of that tragedy, mine was more an inconvenience.

For some other replies here - I didn't know if they'd help or not, but I was stranded and had their phone number. They said they'd help - then didn't.
That's what aggravated me.

If they'd have said, no , that's not their charter, fine and I'd understand.
But don't offer to help, to double check, and then don't.

I found a good samaritin and got him a thank you gift to boot and made a new friend, so it all worked out.

I'm just cautioning people about thinking Community Watch really does much.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by redwitch

While we Villagers are under the illusion, they are there to help protect us, I think the reality is far from that. They make sure everything looks "pretty." If an individual needs help, let's hope a Villager stops because the odds are that CW will wave hi and continue checking that no one breaks the rules.

I think you're right....but my feeling, and they are strictly mine, is that people come with pre-conceived ideas about what is here. When we bought, we were told about the gates, how the roads in the community are public. People see the gates, feel that the community is truly gated and if you don't live or work here, driving throughout the community just can't happen. Others seem to come with the impression that the town squares are for Villagers only. Again, the stores and the entertainment are open to all...we were told this. Some get upset when they see children around, feeling that they were moving to a community where kids just weren't allowed. Maybe it's just ideas and feelings they bring with them from their previous communities. They feel they're moving to "an exclusive community." It is a unique community, a beautiful community and a place to relax, have fun, help out, contribute and most of all, enjoy.