[graciegirl]

I hate to think of new people here reading this thread and thinking we are turning into a ghetto. I have been here for several months and have seen no evidence of any problems.

[Best Mom]

I love it here too. I was just answering the question and repeating what I was told and what I have experienced!!!
I have lived here for several years too. My friends have lived here for years and years. They say it has changed. I will repeat-- I love it here. People just need to be aware.
Going for a walk with my dog now and I feel safe.

[Cassie325]

Well....these are some great posts....I must say that I feel very safe in the area....whether in TV's or in the immediate area...however there does seem to be some theft...but it happens anywhere you live I guess.

I just wanted to get reactions. I can't imagine anyone who knows what TV's really is about actually would think it was turning into a "ghetto" as someone stated. However....it was stated by a Villages Resident/Employee so I thought there was some validation of the statement.

I too have heard of thefts - a girl I play pickleball with mentioned that people have been taking the pickleballs, of all things. And there has always been a problem of people stealing golf clubs off of parked golf carts. I talked to a woman last year who had her home broken into. No, that doesn't make TV a ghetto, but as BestMom said, it just pays for people to be careful.

[ijusluvit]

I'm going to ask my question again - just like my new thread of a week or two ago: "Ever Been a Victim", to which there was NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE! -

OK, are you ready...

"Have you, or anyone you personally know, ever been a victim of a theft in the Villages?"

(I'd rather not hear more about how things are going to hell in a handbasket with all these "new villagers", or any more hearsay about how bad things are.)

My impression is that when you survey an audience of thousands on TOTV, the number of answers will indicate how much of a problem we have.

[Muncle]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Wannabe here.

I was looking at the webcams, with my feet next to the radiator. It felt just like being in Florida!

I noticed a golf cart with what looked to be 2 sets of clubs in the back, and nobody around. Made me wonder if that's the way it is in TV, or was someone just being overly trusting?

As Steve says, that's pretty much how it's been around here for years. However, with the increased reporting of stolen clubs, more folks are off-loading the sticks before going downtown. It's kinda like how one used to leave skis and poles stuck in the snow while enjoying a long lunch. Then scum started stealing equipment and ski locks appeared.

Don't know if there is a connection, but it seems golf club thefts have increased in direct correlation to increased numbers and usage of fitness centers. Coincidence? I think not.

[billethkid]

and reach a conclusion based on what you saw it would not be very accurate. Opinions expressed are based on the straw view of crime in TV.
Statistically, much better/safer than many other places one could live.
Extrapolating to "ghetto"? Wow!!!!! Talk about a stretch.
It sounds like the way incidents are reported on the national news...a sneeze and there is talk of a pandemic...a ham sandwich becomes a banquet....and looking at an elephant through a straw and suddenly the world is reported as having turned gray.

Once again as the song goes....accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative (that should help date me, eh?).

BTK

[Best Mom]

I think the only real way to answer the question is to check police records. That should be easy to do. I just am not that interested. And once again, I realize I can't communicate that well on computer. I never meant to say it is not safe here for most people. I love it here.

Remember it was a Sun employee who said there was an increase in break-ins and robberies.
Not too many Villagers post on TOTV. This board has only a tiny portion of Villagers. So I think a poll here doesn't represent the true picture of the Villages.(Remember we have 70,000 residents)

I have talked to many employees but again-this is a big place and everyone has a different experience.
So I just repeated what I heard and what has happened to me. But I have tried to say that I feel safe here. So...I really agree with ALL the posts except the ghetto comment.
Maybe there has been an increase in break-ins and robberies. ???
Now I am going to bed in my safe house.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

I'm going to ask my question again - just like my new thread of a week or two ago: "Ever Been a Victim", to which there was NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE! -
OK, are you ready...
"Have you, or anyone you personally know, ever been a victim of a theft in the Villages?" .

No, I've never been a victim, and I feel TV is extremely safe.

[islandgal]

I think many of us have a false sense of security with the idea of our being our gated community - I certainly did before I moved here.
The intruders don't have to be Villagers.
I would think that the festivities in the market squares, the casual lifestyle, etc. could be very tempting for the bad guys to
invade our idyllic space not to mention the rapidly increasing population which provides more opportunities.

Nevertheless, I feel much safer here because we all look out for each other

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

No, I've never been a victim, and I feel TV is extremely safe.

I have a large dog. I know a dog might not be a popular option for most people, especially Fumar. But I feel perfectly safe with Brutus Bad Dog at my side.

[KathieI]

I agree with Islandgal and Barefoot, sometimes I feel too safe and that's not smart. Its best to be cautious. I too feel that the Schnauzers help me feel secure, goodness knows no one can get near the house without them yapping like crazy.

[graciegirl]

No. I have not been a victim...ever. Thank Goodness.
Also we have three sets of friends who have lived here for four, twelve, and sixteen years, who recently stated how nice and safe it is here. Obviously people should not tempt anyone with leaving expensive items in carts in parking lots, golf clubs or anything else. There are a lot of non villagers who visit here. The recent theft of golf carts has been solved and the "perp" nailed.

And BTK, I was obviously trying to make a point with the ghetto comment. I certainly did not mean it literally. I grow tired of reading how the sky is falling. It certainly is in the "real world". It is nice to live here in the bubble where it feels just as safe as my neighborhood in Ohio.

AND TOTV has a viewing population of about 5000, which is a good percentage of the actual population of about 70,000. I am sure we have fingers on the pulse here. I will grow concerned when I hear our TOTV people report incidents that have happened to them personally. I rarely get too alarmed when I hear gossip, but will listen to hearsay, just like everyone else if I know and trust the teller personally.

For instance....Muncle. I pretty much agree with and accept as gospel everything he says. Munc...you make a valid point with the correlation of fitness attendees and golf club thefts.

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

I'm going to ask my question again - just like my new thread of a week or two ago: "Ever Been a Victim", to which there was NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE! -

OK, are you ready...

"Have you, or anyone you personally know, ever been a victim of a theft in the Villages?"

(I'd rather not hear more about how things are going to hell in a handbasket with all these "new villagers", or any more hearsay about how bad things are.)

My impression is that when you survey an audience of thousands on TOTV, the number of answers will indicate how much of a problem we have.

I disagree. The number of answers may just indicate that many people, including myself, don't like to fill out surveys!

[redwitch]

I have not any type of theft since moving here. So far as I know, none of my friends have, either. I have heard of a few incidents and read of a few in the Sun. Considering the size of TV and the number of visitors it gets on a daily basis, I'd say it is a very safe community.

I have been a victim in the past. It is not a pleasant feeling. I have felt safer in TV than I have felt since I was a child. I still take some precautions, though (probably not as many as I should, but some).

We live in a society where some do think taking from others is the way to go. We're also living in an economy where some are truly desparate and will what they feel is necessary to survive. I do think thefts, etc. will increase in TV as time goes by. Let's face it, the surrounding communities are pretty poor and we are seen as very affluent by these communities. That does make TV a viable target.

TV also has a large police presence, both by the local sheriffs and by Neighborhood Watch. We are also known as caring about our neighbors and watching out for them. These are good detriments.

So, use common sense. Lock your doors. Don't leave valuable items in plain sight. If you walk alone in the dark, be aware of your surroundings and who is sharing them with you. I don't think we need to be paranoid or afraid of our own shadows. We just need to be careful.