[billstrickland]

You would have to be a sworn officer, with full arrest powers, certification, badge and gun. Well meaning citizens cannot make traffic stops or write citations. That is one of the reasons all cameras at red light intersections are being thrown out. You have to be a sworn police officer to make a traffic stop.

[caroleartchilds]

Illegal parking is the worst problem in The Villages, especially around behind Red Sauce.
Needs serious enforcement.

The Sheriff does not care in any way shape or form about Villagers obeying traffic laws. His total traffic control program amounts to PSA announcements at TV's movie theaters warning golf carters to obey the 20mph speed limit, which of course falls on deaf ears. If there were ever any threat of actual enforcement you wouldn't have 1 in 3 golf carts illegally modified to go well over 20 mph, and vendors who totally ignore speed limits on the roads ripping through our community with their monster trucks pulling trailers that often have no working lights. Traffic laws in the TV are really just a suggestion. Kind of sad really. It is the one huge downside to living here, IMHO.

[RayAmb]

I am a retired police officer from Florida. I am familiar with our laws. I certainly see the need in some communities but frankly not in The Villages. Some of you are correct about the liability. The equipment, training and support costs are far more reaching than you would expect at first glance. The idea sounds great but we have a good Sherriff. Call him if you have an issue. Retired law enforcement officers really need to realize their time is over. That's why you see the deputies and police are younger and better able to do I the job. Neighborhood watch is great for the all of us RETIRED guys.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Are you in Tampa right now, Carl. I never saw sand when I lived there - excluding sand traps. Not questioning you, just wondering where your toe might be! ::

Really? I never thought of Tampa having any soil other than sand. My first experience with Tampa sand was when I was digging a drainage ditch at our house on West Powhattan near Florida Avenue.

Next was when digging up an orange tree near N. Boulevard and W. Waters.

Then there was the time that my dad got his car stuck in the sand at a construction site on Gandy Boulevard near South Westshore.

There was the time I was digging post holes for a residential fence on North Edison in Forest Hills, not far from the Babe Zaharias Golf Course.

And, when laying sod at my house in Carrollwood, blocks away from the original Carrollwood development, I found there is nothing but sand under the thin layer of sod.

I'm curious, where did you experience soil that wasn't sand, other than where developers trucked in fill dirt or crushed shell?

(In answer to your question, I'm in The Villages for a few days right now.)

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by caroleartchilds

Illegal parking is the worst problem in The Villages, especially around behind Red Sauce.
Needs serious enforcement.

And that is an issue that with the proper authorization, could be handled by an auxiliary group (Community Watch)

[twoplanekid]

Most of the preceding information is correct. To find out the real scope of policing powers in the Villages, attend the welcome Wednesday meeting at 11 A.M. to personally ask questions of community leaders and police officials who are always in attendance.

On the other hand, I also like to blow in the wind and think outside of the box. I love to discuss new ideas no matter how outlandish. Sometimes, we all learn something new by doing so.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by caroleartchilds

Illegal parking is the worst problem in The Villages, especially around behind Red Sauce.
Needs serious enforcement.

Originally Posted by Challenger

And that is an issue that with the proper authorization, could be handled by an auxiliary group (Community Watch)

The parking lot behind Red Sauce is private property. It the owner had the will to enforce the parking problem, it could be done by simply towing away the offenders.

Technically, it is not illegal parking, but rather improper parking on private property except for the designated handicapped parking spaces.

The exception to this might be on parking lots with a designated "fire lane" for the use of fire fighting equipment in an emergency.

If our "biggest problem" is parking congestion we are most fortunate.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

Really? I never thought of Tampa having any soil other than sand. My first experience with Tampa sand was when I was digging a drainage ditch at our house on West Powhattan near Florida Avenue.

Next was when digging up an orange tree near N. Boulevard and W. Waters.

Then there was the time that my dad got his car stuck in the sand at a construction site on Gandy Boulevard near South Westshore.

There was the time I was digging post holes for a residential fence on North Edison in Forest Hills, not far from the Babe Zaharias Golf Course.

And, when laying sod at my house in Carrollwood, blocks away from the original Carrollwood development, I found there is nothing but sand under the thin layer of sod.

I'm curious, where did you experience soil that wasn't sand, other than where developers trucked in fill dirt or crushed shell?

(In answer to your question, I'm in The Villages for a few days right now.)

Glad you are here.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I would really hate to see this happen, regardless of who pays for it. The fact is that personalities change as we age. (Think of the retired officer who shot and killed the man in the theater for texting.) Plus, the level of training for police officers varies so much from community to community, let alone from state to state.

Things work pretty well here the way they are. We are in three counties and thus are patrolled by different entities (Sumter and Marion County Sheriffs and Lady Lake Police). All three forces seem to do a great job and cooperate well with each other.

This is definitely not a boat I want to see rocked.

He DID NOT shoot the man because he was texting. He shot him because he threw popcorn at him...

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by outlaw

He DID NOT shoot the man because he was texting. He shot him because he threw popcorn at him...

Outlaw, you forgot this!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by outlaw

He DID NOT shoot the man because he was texting. He shot him because he threw popcorn at him...

Oh, that explains it.

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Oh, that explains it.

Yeah 'cause some of those un-popped kernels can leave a mark or put an eye out!

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

On the other hand, I also like to blow in the wind and think outside of the box. I love to discuss new ideas no matter how outlandish. Sometimes, we all learn something new by doing so.

No matter how much we might discuss Vne, I'm still not going there!

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Challenger

Liability. Liability, Liability- and Liability.

and

Having worked in security, there can be a blurred line of interpretation as to what powers a psuedo police would have, as opposed to the regular LEO.

I hope my comment is welcomed!