[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by villages07

K-9.... thanks for that site; interesting, but, I'm not sure how credible. If you read the fine print it says it goes back 7 years. I find some of the assault, larceny, burglary figures for 32162 a bit difficult to believe. For grins, I put in a zip code for a not so nice area close to Washington DC and The Villages was very close to this other zip for assault, burglary, property crime.... ain't no way. The other zip had a murder rate index of 375 compared to the national 100 index...to give you an idea of how bad it was.

I think the 32162 zip has developed so much in the past 7 years that the numbers are skewed or just plain wrong.

Regardless, the basic message in this thread is lock your doors, be wary of suspicious behavior, and report intruders to the police.

Village07, I was just checking crime rate sites for another view on the subject and came up with the same conclusions.
This chart shows that The Villages has a much lower rate than Florida and the whole U.S. in Robbery, rape, personal crime, and murder, but that we are WAY higher in the assault , property crime and burglery. (???)
You will have to copy and paste this link, but do. It is almost laughable.
http://www.clrsearch.com/RSS/Demogra...ime_Statistics

[villages07]

K-9.... I know you're trying to get a handle on life in the Villages from afar, but, I think these sites are also misleading.

Trulia...talks about Sumter County crime, not the villages.... and most of the supporting statistics seem to be from 2000.

CNN/Money ... says Villages population was 8,600 at the time (2007...based on what data year???); population is now over 70,000.

I think these sites are well-intentioned but very misleading.

Yes, there are property crimes and assaults within the Villages. But, I seriously doubt that 2009 statistics, when measured as a rate per thousand residents, will be anywhere near what these generic websites have reported.

I sure would like to see the official 32162/Sumter Sheriff statistics for crimes for 2009 (knowing that this does not cover the entire Villages). I'll wander over to their website and see if anything is posted.

[K9-Lovers]

Yes, I am trying to learn as much as I can about TV, because I am so excited about becoming a full-time resident THIS FRIDAY!!! We are moving to the Village of Palo Alto. Before we decided to purchase a home in TV, I came across these crime statistics, but that did not deter us from moving to what we know is going to be the best place we have ever lived. Perhaps the websites to which I provided links are wrong. That would be great. But even if they are correct, they show that crimes against property are high, and crimes against people are low, meaning theft, burglary, etc. is more prevalent than violent acts.

I'd love to know if you find out anything from the local authorities about crime stats, tho it won't change my plans for precautions; it's better to err on the side of caution. So, I'll keep my doors locked, use motion-sensor lights, be aware of my surroundings, and then -- forgetaboutit and have fun.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by K9-Lovers

Yes, I am trying to learn as much as I can about TV, because I am so excited about becoming a full-time resident THIS FRIDAY!!! We are moving to the Village of Palo Alto. Before we decided to purchase a home in TV, I came across these crime statistics, but that did not deter us from moving to what we know is going to be the best place we have ever lived. Perhaps the websites to which I provided links are wrong. That would be great. But even if they are correct, they show that crimes against property are high, and crimes against people are low, meaning theft, burglary, etc. is more prevalent than violent acts.

I'd love to know if you find out anything from the local authorities about crime stats, tho it won't change my plans for precautions; it's better to err on the side of caution. So, I'll keep my doors locked, use motion-sensor lights, be aware of my surroundings, and then -- forgetaboutit and have fun.

Welcome to you. When you live here for a year or two you will find just how wrong those numbers are.

[zcaveman]

For some reason, I get the feeling that some of you think that there is no crime in TV. It exists - it is just not reported in the Daily Sun.

Better safe than sorry. Lock your doors and keep your eyes open for the creeps. They are out there and they are usually in the newer villages because those are the one not expecting them.

i know that we are a community with gates, but we are also a community with cameras. in all this time no one has reviewed the tapes and pin-pointed the vehicles that these grifters are driving? doe the sheriff's department have any reports on these activites? are there any official investigations going on?
this does sound like the stuff urban legends are based on, but then again one cannot be too complacent.

[Bogie Shooter]

Memorandum
To: Janet Tutt, District Manager
From: Michael S. Tucker, E.F.O.
Fire Chief
Re: Email Concern
Date: April 14, 2010
On Monday, April 12th, VCCDD staff began to receive an unusual amount of email
originating from a single individual within the community. The email was entitled “Keep
your doors locked.” The email described some situations in which homeowners had
experienced either someone in their home, or attempting to enter their home. Due to the
number of emails as well as the resulting aura of “fear” resulting from these emails, staff
made contact with the individual originating the email in an effort to gain a better
understanding of the situation.
Battalion Chief Scott Wilder was able to make contact and discovered that, as with all
rumors, there are some parts that are factual while the majority of the story – especially
when spoken – takes on a slightly different life than when passed along as gospel in the
written form of an email. The individual initiating the email had, in fact, been at a
friend’s home as the friend was preparing to move into the new home. At this point the
home was vacant and the two individuals were sitting on the floor. While sitting there, a
man fertilizing a neighbor’s yard did attempt to open the door. The individual in question
was in fact wearing a uniform of the company he worked for and a company vehicle was
witnessed in the area as well. When approached, the individual stated that he was trying
to locate a new client for whom he was supposed to provide service.
At this point the “fertilizer man” and the two individuals parted ways, and neither of the
individuals felt it necessary to contact law enforcement. Battalion Chief Wilder has also
been in contact with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to advise them of the situation and
to determine if any other similar situations had been reported. To date no other similar
situations have been reported. In retrospect the situation involving the “fertilizer man”
appears to be a serious error in judgment as to how this man conducted business and not
an attempt to illegally enter private property.
Hard Work, Stewardship, Hospitality, Creativity
2
Battalion Chief Wilder also inquired as to her including a description of the second
incident in which a homeowner came out of the shower to discover a woman in her home
holding paper towels. At this point in the conversation the email initiator stated that she
did not have any factual information of this incident, and stated that she had only “heard”
about this incident at a “social” function. This same incident was described to VCCDD
staff more than a year ago as well. When asked about this incident Sumter County
Sherriff’s personnel also did not have any reports of an illegal entry described other than
the rumored incident.
The misinformation being transmitted via email has accomplished scaring several
property owners, but it does not appear to point to a rash of illegal entry incidents by
criminals. VCCDD staff is continuing to work with the law enforcement agencies of the
respective jurisdictions to determine if any further actions need to be taken. Staff
continues to encourage residents to contact law enforcement in situations where they feel

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Memorandum
To: Janet Tutt, District Manager
From: Michael S. Tucker, E.F.O.
Fire Chief
Re: Email Concern
Date: April 14, 2010
On Monday, April 12th, VCCDD staff began to receive an unusual amount of email
originating from a single individual within the community. The email was entitled “Keep
your doors locked.” The email described some situations in which homeowners had
experienced either someone in their home, or attempting to enter their home. Due to the
number of emails as well as the resulting aura of “fear” resulting from these emails, staff
made contact with the individual originating the email in an effort to gain a better
understanding of the situation.
Battalion Chief Scott Wilder was able to make contact and discovered that, as with all
rumors, there are some parts that are factual while the majority of the story – especially
when spoken – takes on a slightly different life than when passed along as gospel in the
written form of an email. The individual initiating the email had, in fact, been at a
friend’s home as the friend was preparing to move into the new home. At this point the
home was vacant and the two individuals were sitting on the floor. While sitting there, a
man fertilizing a neighbor’s yard did attempt to open the door. The individual in question
was in fact wearing a uniform of the company he worked for and a company vehicle was
witnessed in the area as well. When approached, the individual stated that he was trying
to locate a new client for whom he was supposed to provide service.
At this point the “fertilizer man” and the two individuals parted ways, and neither of the
individuals felt it necessary to contact law enforcement. Battalion Chief Wilder has also
been in contact with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to advise them of the situation and
to determine if any other similar situations had been reported. To date no other similar
situations have been reported. In retrospect the situation involving the “fertilizer man”
appears to be a serious error in judgment as to how this man conducted business and not
an attempt to illegally enter private property.
Hard Work, Stewardship, Hospitality, Creativity
2
Battalion Chief Wilder also inquired as to her including a description of the second
incident in which a homeowner came out of the shower to discover a woman in her home
holding paper towels. At this point in the conversation the email initiator stated that she
did not have any factual information of this incident, and stated that she had only “heard”
about this incident at a “social” function. This same incident was described to VCCDD
staff more than a year ago as well. When asked about this incident Sumter County
Sherriff’s personnel also did not have any reports of an illegal entry described other than
the rumored incident.
The misinformation being transmitted via email has accomplished scaring several
property owners, but it does not appear to point to a rash of illegal entry incidents by
criminals. VCCDD staff is continuing to work with the law enforcement agencies of the
respective jurisdictions to determine if any further actions need to be taken. Staff
continues to encourage residents to contact law enforcement in situations where they feel

I'm curious, how does one come into possession of this memorandum? It was addressed to Chief Tucker and not to "everybody on Talk of The Villages." I'm guessing that you have permission to post this private memorandum publicly.

[bkcunningham1]

Pardon me Talk Host, but the email memo is actually addressed "To: Janet Tutt, District Manager". If the email is authentic, my question would be, why's the fire chief and battalion chief investigating this incident?

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Pardon me Talk Host, but the email memo is actually addressed "To: Janet Tutt, District Manager". If the email is authentic, my question would be, why's the fire chief and battalion chief investigating this incident?

I thought about that too. Firemen investigating criminal complaints. That's new.

[dillywho]

I would think that someone asked him to investigate. This seems kinda like only hearing one side of a telephone conversation, since this seems to be a response from him. Just a thought...no fact involved.

[Talk Host]

The more I think about it, the more bogosity the memo has. I think it is highly improbable that the Villages would ask the Fire Department to investigate a possible criminal complaint. The Villages surely would have asked law enforcement from the appropriate jurisdiction to make the necessary inquiries. Firemen are not trained in criminal investigation, police are not trained in fire fighting.

The only possible reason I can think of that they would press Villages firemen into police work would be to keep the information off the police blotter.

[bkcunningham1]

Michael S. Tucker, E.F.O, who allegedly wrote the post to Janet Tutt, District Manager, "currently serves with The Villages Public Safety Department," according to their website.

http://districtgov.org/departments/P...ety/staff.aspx


Also, according to the post, "Battalion Chief Wilder has also been in contact with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to advise them of the situation and
to determine if any other similar situations had been reported....
"VCCDD staff is continuing to work with the law enforcement agencies of the
respective jurisdictions to determine if any further actions need to be taken."

That makes Scott Wilder and Michael S. Tucker, E.F.O. VCCDD staff according to the post.

Villages Public Safety Department (VPSD) Mission Statement:
With respect and dignity,
the Villages Public Safety Department
will work to prevent harm, and respond to unprevented
incidents in an efficient and effective manner with the best
resources provided by the community, and
be nice!

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Michael S. Tucker, E.F.O, who allegedly wrote the post to Janet Tutt, District Manager, "currently serves with The Villages Public Safety Department," according to their website.

http://districtgov.org/departments/P...ety/staff.aspx


Also, according to the post, "Battalion Chief Wilder has also been in contact with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to advise them of the situation and
to determine if any other similar situations had been reported....
"VCCDD staff is continuing to work with the law enforcement agencies of the
respective jurisdictions to determine if any further actions need to be taken."

That makes Scott Wilder and Michael S. Tucker, E.F.O. VCCDD staff according to the post.

Villages Public Safety Department (VPSD) Mission Statement:
With respect and dignity,
the Villages Public Safety Department
will work to prevent harm, and respond to unprevented
incidents in an efficient and effective manner with the best
resources provided by the community, and
be nice!

Now, this is confusing. Is Villages Public Safety a police department. Should be be calling them when we need help? What is an "unprevented incident?"

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by nanci2539

I received the following message from my neighbor today. Has anyone heard about this?

We were at a friends house yesterday in Duval sitting in their living room......a guy walked into their lanai and tried to open the sliding door into their bedroom. He did not knock....just tried to open the slider. When he found it locked he immediately left. Our friend went out immediately and asked him what he was looking for....he said "another address".....to fertilize the lawn....????

Also, there was a woman in Lynnhaven got out of the shower and found a lady in her house with a roll of paper towels. She asked her what she was doing in her house. She said she was going door to door looking for houses to clean and giving everyone a "free roll of paper towels"....She told her to get out of her house immediately! This was reported at the Lynnhaven ladies luncheon and several others commented she had been to their door, but declined cleaning offer. There was a car out front with a guy in it......(The thought was they were also looking for things "to take")....

We get a false sense of security living in The Villages. Please pass this on to everyone you know and please KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED! (Even the garage door coming into the house if you have your garage door open)......

Wendy

I have a very large e-mail list. I got this e-mail from 30 people in 2 days. This person can't be a friend of everyone of them.