[SteveBressi]

There are a couple of things in play here. Yes we are having a wave of burglaries in the Villages around Pinellas Rd right now. I agree with others that it is likely the same party and they will eventually be caught. It should be noted that there is and has been a level of crime in the Villages. It is just that the developer kept this a secret through his owned media. Now we have independent media sources sprouting up, such as the new Villages News Website, that reports everything - good and bad. Bottom line is that the level of crime remains very low in the Villages. Considering we have over 50,000 homes and around 100 Thousand people, this is one of the safest communities around. However as the Villages grows and its notoriety increases, the number of incidents will naturally increase. People need to take reasonable precautions to protect themselves, just as they did before moving here. One other thing - the fact that someone is entering homes by merely kicking doors in does not say much for the quality of the doors installed by the Developer.

[buggyone]

Perhaps at the pre-build meetings, home buyers could request a heavier duty door with special deadbolt locks? Sounds like a decent option to be offered.

Maybe a partnering with an alarm company to have optional alarm systems built in instead of an add-on?

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Perhaps at the pre-build meetings, home buyers could request a heavier duty door with special deadbolt locks? Sounds like a decent option to be offered.

Maybe a partnering with an alarm company to have optional alarm systems built in instead of an add-on?

There are no more pre-build meetings. All homes are built as specs. Any changes would have to be done after closing.

As was pointed out on another thread, the door frames are built of styrofoam, so the doors may not be the problem.

[senior citizen]

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[bonrich]

I feel the safety would be in the construction of the entry way. Front door should be a solid wood component, with suitable rough-in framing to handle a heavier door. If there are side lights, partial or full glass inserts, then a protective film over the glass to stop or slow down the breaking in. All screws for the dead bolt and entry hardware should be at least a 1 1/2" to 2" driven into a double 2x4 rough door opening.
Since we are a "one door" entry houses, other than the lanai sliders, that door should be substantial. Lanais can be beefed up some way to slow or stop entry. Windows would be the next safety issue, which can be set up with a safety film and sensors.
As I looked over my comment, it is upsetting to have to resort to this. Many of the residents have left that kind of atmosphere for a safer and happier place. Just should not be.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

We think of Styrofoam as something a cheap cooler would be made of.
Such as that which Omaha Steaks sends their frozen meats in via UPS.
The door frames in TV are made of Styrofoam????


I realize it's a warmer climate and you don't need to seal the house from the freezing temperatures such as we do, but styrofoam?

Do you mean plastic? Like a fake fa�ade??? Not wood framing around doors. Thanks for any enlightenment on the door frames.


p.s. I cannot find the other thread with the mention of Styrofoam on the door frames.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...0%3B00-100965/

Post #4

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by janmcn

There are no more pre-build meetings. All homes are built as specs. Any changes would have to be done after closing.

As was pointed out on another thread, the door frames are built of Styrofoam, so the doors may not be the problem.

I think they mean the metal doors are filled with Styrofoam or some other material that has insulating qualities. The door frames are not Styrofoam.

[bonrich]

Originally Posted by janmcn

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...0%3B00-100965/

Post #4

Now, some interior doors have a foam filler. 2 x 3's making a frame with interior bracing and then filling in the openings with foam. Then puttting a veneer exterior. Helps to give the door some strength, rigidity, and helps with the noise issue, making it sound more "solid".
Our older homes would have a solid wood door, with construction as a 4 or 6 panel, with no fillers.
You remember!!

[billethkid]

you will also find that a fair amount if not most of the woodwoork and trim around the doors (and elsewhere) are compressed styrofoam....not wood.

[Bogie Shooter]

Just checked the trim and frame around my entry doors..........all wood.
Trim around windows........wood.
Trim and frame around interior doors........wood.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Just checked the trim and frame around my entry doors..........all wood.
Trim around windows........wood.
Trim and frame around interior doors........wood.

You have trim around your windows???

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by gomoho

You have trim around your windows???

Well, its actually where the plantation shutters are.

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by sueandskip

With all the employment opportunities there In the Villages now with all the building if these people can't find a job its because they don't want one...Jobs are available to those who really want one...I work at UPS and we are hiring in every field nation wide so is Fed Ex, Old Daminion...Dock jobs, drivers, office, management...Some people make excuses and some just like to whine...

My take on this is that the people doing this are drug addicts .

[Bonanza]

[QUOTE=senior citizen;812868]Is the unsavory climate just a sign of hard times or a sign of things to come?

Between the nine home break ins and the mugging at TJMaxx, plus a few other happenings......is the "bubble" really safe?
I've always perceived it to be safer than the rest of Florida.......



Whoa . . . Let's not get carried away and run scared. Let's think about this for a moment. 9 break-ins since Christmas? Yes, any break-in is unnerving. The Villages is not immune from this kind of thing, but take a look at the statistics. How many homes are in the Villages? Frankly, I really don't know but I'll guess 50,000. Heck -- we're big enough to have two zip codes, so in reality, the percentage is really low, compared to most places.

I believe these incidents have happened in areas where currently, there is new construction going on or at least close to the new construction. Logic says that the culprets probably work in the construction trade or are some type of service person.

So let's not panic. Be aware of your suroundings; that means be a nosey neighbor and look out your windows! In the evening, light is always a deterrent. Going out? Close your blinds. Don't "hide" your jewelry in your sock or underware drawer. Keep your doors locked.

Don't get a false sense of security from the entry gates into communities. Our streets are public and the "manned gates" are a joke. The same is mostly true of an alarm system unless you have a 'good' camera to back it up. By the time the cops come, the bad guys are long gone.

Turn any anger or uncomfortable feelings and thoughts into something constructive. Let's not get paranoid. If we are all diligent, we can help one another.

[senior citizen]

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