[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by elevatorman

Maybe someone could contact their church and ask for help. A shelter may be available for homeless in the area.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by billethkid

what does "...just in time for the snow bird arrival..." have to do with the "homeless encampment"?

[Normal]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

A diluted rationalization to make the poster feel OK about posting an anonymous sensationalized rant for attention?

[ldovermiller]

Perhaps have 20/20, 60 minutes TV shows come in and have them do a story that will draw attention on a National basis. The Villages needs to start acting like they care about the monster they created. The police are just as bad. Find a reason NOT to do their job. However, why does Sumter County Sheriff have a patrol car parked at the new apartment complex on Rte 466 going toward Rolling 24/7? THEY SIT ON PROPERTYTHAT IS PRVIATE !!!!! Somebody is getting special attention .....WHY

[jim@jedward.com]

Correct. Just ask San Francisco how going soft on homelessness is working out.

[dschneider]

Originally Posted by LivingOnSunshine

In the last 72ish hours multiple calls have been made by residents to the Sumter Co. Sheriff’s office and Wildwood Police (who have been timely and compassionate in their responses) regarding ongoing sightings of homeless persons (with and without shopping carts ) crossing the Chitty Chatty bridge at various times of the day and night, wandering the streets of The Village as well as the MMP along Chitty Chatty and Bradford. Last evening’s observations included one of the individuals discarding empty liquor bottles as well as an empty Rx bottle in the streets as well as frightening a woman walking her dog. Both law enforcement agencies have told residents that the area near the bridge where it appears the persons are camping is owned by The Villages and therefore is private property. By law, the authorities must have a no trespassing order on file from TV in order to take action. They do not currently possess such an order. Calls to Community Watch and Community Standards have ended with, “it’s not our jurisdiction.” The CDD is now engaged and looking into who is responsible for the area around CC bridge and the woods/preserve. So for all those who paid a premium to live near the preserve, lucky you to get a front row seat of a homeless encampment as well as having these individuals who clearly need mental health support roam the streets of your Village making the residents and guests feel unsafe and (presently) twisting in the wind and unsupported by The Villages. Godspeed…

What do snowbirds have to do with it?

[jonathanb]

Unfortunately as a society we have turned our backs on these people. What can be done to get these unfortunate souls the mental health care they need. Of course the answer is not what’s going on in big cities where homelessness is out of control by enabling their drug and alcohol addiction. Can they be legally ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation? It is a very delicate situation and I am not a trained mental health specialist but maybe a mission to take care of and train these folks to gain employment might be an answer? I just don’t know.

[hypart]

Originally Posted by jim@jedward.com

Correct. Just ask San Francisco how going soft on homelessness is working out.

I was in San Francisco for a week back in August, I barely saw any homeless people.

Not sure if they're cleared them away but it was very surprising considering all the footage.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by jonathanb

Unfortunately as a society we have turned our backs on these people. What can be done to get these unfortunate souls the mental health care they need. Of course the answer is not what’s going on in big cities where homelessness is out of control by enabling their drug and alcohol addiction. Can they be legally ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation? It is a very delicate situation and I am not a trained mental health specialist but maybe a mission to take care of and train these folks to gain employment might be an answer? I just don’t know.

I agree with the first part of your post - we have as a society turned our backs. I think it started in the late 60s when court cases were won that made it very difficult to put people in mental institutions. Soon, states closed down mental institutions & now there is very little help or places for these people to go. The vast majority are either mentally ill or have addictions - pretty much unable to care for themselves. It is cruel, not enlightened to have removed support for these people; living rough is dangerous, unhealthy & these people would be better off in an institution. I acknowledge that some of the institutions had problems & needed improvement - but closing them altogether was a terrible mistake.

[charlie1]

Originally Posted by LivingOnSunshine

In the last 72ish hours multiple calls have been made by residents to the Sumter Co. Sheriff’s office and Wildwood Police (who have been timely and compassionate in their responses) regarding ongoing sightings of homeless persons (with and without shopping carts ) crossing the Chitty Chatty bridge at various times of the day and night, wandering the streets of The Village as well as the MMP along Chitty Chatty and Bradford. Last evening’s observations included one of the individuals discarding empty liquor bottles as well as an empty Rx bottle in the streets as well as frightening a woman walking her dog. Both law enforcement agencies have told residents that the area near the bridge where it appears the persons are camping is owned by The Villages and therefore is private property. By law, the authorities must have a no trespassing order on file from TV in order to take action. They do not currently possess such an order. Calls to Community Watch and Community Standards have ended with, “it’s not our jurisdiction.” The CDD is now engaged and looking into who is responsible for the area around CC bridge and the woods/preserve. So for all those who paid a premium to live near the preserve, lucky you to get a front row seat of a homeless encampment as well as having these individuals who clearly need mental health support roam the streets of your Village making the residents and guests feel unsafe and (presently) twisting in the wind and unsupported by The Villages. Godspeed…

I do wish everyone would go to the CDD Orientation so that they understand the Responsibilities and Differences between the Developer and OUR Community Management. By understanding our Community Management setup, they would also understand who is responsible and who to call when an issue like this does pop up. If the property is owned by the Villages Developer, the CDD has no power! That being said, I am glad that the CDD is looking into who can solve the issue. I also understand the police can't arrest the homeless in this situation but do think they could have been a little more helpful.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by charlie1

I do wish everyone would go to the CDD Orientation so that they understand the Responsibilities and Differences between the Developer and OUR Community Management. By understanding our Community Management setup, they would also understand who is responsible and who to call when an issue like this does pop up. If the property is owned by the Villages Developer, the CDD has no power! That being said, I am glad that the CDD is looking into who can solve the issue. I also understand the police can't arrest the homeless in this situation but do think they could have been a little more helpful.

Is stealing a shopping cart no longer a crime??????

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, the best solution is for the police to make them leave. If you don't, more will come.

[DeeCee Dubya]

Money where you mouth is. Let these monsters into your own home.

[DiandJay]

Originally Posted by elevatorman

Maybe someone could contact their church and ask for help. A shelter may be available for homeless in the area.

First Baptist Church in Leesburgh daily (and nightly) handles all types of difficult social issues; homeless care, counselling, released prisoner care, daily warm meals and clothing, help with groceries and medical/dental. This problem isn’t going to just go away.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by DiandJay

First Baptist Church in Leesburgh daily (and nightly) handles all types of difficult social issues; homeless care, counselling, released prisoner care, daily warm meals and clothing, help with groceries and medical/dental. This problem isn’t going to just go away.

Just to clarify, it is a church, but the services you mentioned are funded with taxpayer money.