[spk7951]

Interesting story, below, posted in todays The Daily Commercial:




Burglaries boost Sumter crime by 25%

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

BUSHNELL

MILLARD K. IVES | Staff Writer

millardives@dailycommercial.com

Few things are more inviting to burglars than empty appliance and electronics boxes sitting on a curb in front of homes under construction.

So when work crews left empty flat screen television boxes in front of homes being built in The Villages one day earlier this year, officials with the Sumter County Sheriff's office said it wasn't a big surprise that about 10 of the new TVs came up missing from the houses.

With more construction sites burglarized in Sumter County earlier this year, sheriff officials said it was no surprise their reported crime rate shot up by 25.3 percent.

"We have taken large hits in construction," said Maj. Gary Brannen, sheriff's operations commander. "It's a disturbing trend."

Brannen also attributed the rise in the crime rate to population growth, pointing out that the sheriff's office clearance rate is up. TV sets weren't the only target either -- a ring of thieves went after washers and dryers and other large appliances.

Crime reported to the sheriff's office during the first six months of 2012 jumped 25.3 percent from the same time period in 2011, according to a recent report of crime statistics from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Crime statistics are compiled under violent and nonviolent calssifications. Violent crimes such as assault, rape and robbery were in single digits.

Nonviolent offenses, including burglary and larceny, were up. 450 cases were reported through June 2012, while 359 were reported during the same period last year. Larcenies and robberies made up the bulk of the added crime. Reports show there were 236 larcenies, 32 more than last year. Burglaries jumped by 41 cases, to 133.

David Weaver lives in Eleanor Villas in The Villages, where some of the construction site burglaries were reported earlier this year. He said he looked into his home while it was under construction and found it unlocked with appliances inside.

"I can see how a lot of burglaries can happen due to neglect," said Weaver.

The tally of burglaries of home sites was unavailable from the sheriff's office, but Brannen said 3 or 4 appliances a night were being taken. The sheriff's office increased patrols in construction areas and has started working more with neighborhood crime watches.

Brannen said arrests were made in the television burglaries and theft rings were broken up. He said the sheriff's office clearance rate went up from 34.8 percent last year to 38.4 this year.

"It's a problem we are addressing," Brannen said.

Brannen said the sheriff's office crime statistics could go up more in the second half of 2012, especially now that deputies are responsible for Bushnell. The sheriff's office took over that jurisdaiction in October after the city decided to close its police department.

The Bushnell police crime rate went up 22.3 percent during the first half of the this year, from 67 to 82 cases including 53 larcenies and 13 burglaries.

Brannen said thefts at Walmart in Bushnell helped to push up the numbers in the city.

[graciegirl]

I didn't realize that Television sets were ever part of the appliance package.

I am so glad that due to the Community Watch the culprits who stole appliances earlier this year were apprehended. One was on a construction crew employed by The Villages and surveilance cameras sneakily placed helped nail him and his accomplices and he is not only out of work but in deep doo doo.

But back to my question about TV sets. Did any of you buy TV sets from the developer?

[bluedog103]

Gracie, I had the same thoughts as you. Further, if there was a huge jump in burglaries in new construction areas it shouldn't have been too difficult to catch the bad guys.

[Patty55]

Nope, I didn't get a TV, maybe they were being set up for LSV.

[jblum315]

I didn't get even a small TV as part of my appliance package, much less a large flat screen TV. Gee, I feel cheated!!

[bike42]

The Eleanor Villas off Pinellas Place are all furnished. Some are being sold furnished and some are for LSVs and design visits. Hard to believe that the crews leave the villas unlocked after furniture and TVs are delivered. Hopefully they have learned.

[Bogie Shooter]

Model homes?

[lovesports]

Originally Posted by spk7951

Interesting story, below, posted in todays The Daily Commercial:




Burglaries boost Sumter crime by 25%

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

BUSHNELL

MILLARD K. IVES | Staff Writer

millardives@dailycommercial.com

Few things are more inviting to burglars than empty appliance and electronics boxes sitting on a curb in front of homes under construction.

So when work crews left empty flat screen television boxes in front of homes being built in The Villages one day earlier this year, officials with the Sumter County Sheriff's office said it wasn't a big surprise that about 10 of the new TVs came up missing from the houses.

With more construction sites burglarized in Sumter County earlier this year, sheriff officials said it was no surprise their reported crime rate shot up by 25.3 percent.

"We have taken large hits in construction," said Maj. Gary Brannen, sheriff's operations commander. "It's a disturbing trend."

Brannen also attributed the rise in the crime rate to population growth, pointing out that the sheriff's office clearance rate is up. TV sets weren't the only target either -- a ring of thieves went after washers and dryers and other large appliances.

Crime reported to the sheriff's office during the first six months of 2012 jumped 25.3 percent from the same time period in 2011, according to a recent report of crime statistics from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Crime statistics are compiled under violent and nonviolent calssifications. Violent crimes such as assault, rape and robbery were in single digits.

Nonviolent offenses, including burglary and larceny, were up. 450 cases were reported through June 2012, while 359 were reported during the same period last year. Larcenies and robberies made up the bulk of the added crime. Reports show there were 236 larcenies, 32 more than last year. Burglaries jumped by 41 cases, to 133.

David Weaver lives in Eleanor Villas in The Villages, where some of the construction site burglaries were reported earlier this year. He said he looked into his home while it was under construction and found it unlocked with appliances inside.

"I can see how a lot of burglaries can happen due to neglect," said Weaver.

The tally of burglaries of home sites was unavailable from the sheriff's office, but Brannen said 3 or 4 appliances a night were being taken. The sheriff's office increased patrols in construction areas and has started working more with neighborhood crime watches.

Brannen said arrests were made in the television burglaries and theft rings were broken up. He said the sheriff's office clearance rate went up from 34.8 percent last year to 38.4 this year.

"It's a problem we are addressing," Brannen said.

Brannen said the sheriff's office crime statistics could go up more in the second half of 2012, especially now that deputies are responsible for Bushnell. The sheriff's office took over that jurisdaiction in October after the city decided to close its police department.

The Bushnell police crime rate went up 22.3 percent during the first half of the this year, from 67 to 82 cases including 53 larcenies and 13 burglaries.

Brannen said thefts at Walmart in Bushnell helped to push up the numbers in the city.

Thanks for posting. I only get the Sun and I never would of seen this.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by bike42

The Eleanor Villas off Pinellas Place are all furnished. Some are being sold furnished and some are for LSVs and design visits. Hard to believe that the crews leave the villas unlocked after furniture and TVs are delivered. Hopefully they have learned.

You are right, Bike...as usual!

[batman911]

Maybe a good idea to set up a sting operation by placing appliance boxes outside homes under construction and have the police waiting inside

[mulligan]

Inside the boxes ???