Of course I saw the snake, as described in the first post! I also went over to the Wildwood PD office right beside the theater, but it was closed and there were no police around. I then told a Recreation Dept. (or District Gov.?) worker in blue polo shirt with radio patrolling the theater side, and he was livid and went right over to where the snake owner was. He told me he would do something about it and he did go over there looking like he wanted THAT halted that very instant. I went the other way, as far as I could get from that thing and walked down by City Fire for awhile, and then later on sat down for a bit.

Once people on here started minimizing and not believing what I said, there seemed no use in giving these details, as it seems right now.

There is little that presenting facts does to change the minds/ridiculing tactics of people whose motto is: "If it feels good do it" or "Let 'em do it cuz they have RIGHTS".

And this is exactly what I thought and why I didn't call 911: it is for emergencies. That is why I went looking for the police at their office by the theater or for one on foot or in patrol car right around there, to no avail.

Isn't 911 equal to calling the police? It's not like we have an emergency squad here do we?
Re the snake, I would have called community watch if I were bothered, but I think feeling powerless and doing nothing is a poor choice. So exactly what the OP did...

I didn't "feel powerless and doing nothing"!! I spelled out above, AGAIN, what I did to report that menace to public safety and peace.

Ok then, you did everything you could do. And it appears that others did everything they were supposed to do as well. I'm satisfied that our emergency system responses to a situation like this are adequate even though it may still feel like too little was done.
Thanks for bringing attention to a seldom posted topic...snakes in the squares.
Kitty

A python is not like a rattlesnake. A rattlesnake that got away and was confronted would strike right away and if close by you probably would be bitten. A python that got loose would take his time to find his prey, encircle it and squeeze the bejesus out of it. That would take a lot of time and you *and your dog* could get away. Not an authority....just an opinion.

We were at the square on this same night with our dog. We were there early and sat down next to a couple. The man snorted, guess we will have to move because of the dog. I asked him if he was allergic or just a crumudgon who didn't like dogs. He replied that he felt dogs should not be brought to public places. I replied that I would move if he were allergic but since that was not the problem I would stay and I was certain he would find our dog more well behaved than most children in the square. Gosh, I hope the snake guy sat down next to him when we left.:1rotfl:

Snake in square
 

I think everyone should give this OP a break!! She took appropriate action and reported what happened. Pythons, regardless of whether or not they are dangerous, do not belong in our busy Town Squares. I am not afraid of snakes but have a neighbor who is terrified... Her fear may not seem logical to some, but her fear is her reality.

Up with that, except, i'll bet nobody can show us a bona fide site contradicting that fear of snakes is biologically inbred. gauntlet throw-down, happy no consequences bet.

animals
 

I'll just say that was a very unfortunate moment. If I were you I'd just go right back as if it never happened.
Emma and Kitty, or I think I'm on the left in the pic.
Are you new south of 466A?

I know in Marion County as well as in many other cities and counties the Sheriff's Department has two phone numbers. One is for an actual REAL emergency(911)..which the snake is not, and another number for non-emergent issues. I don't know about Sumter, but to call 911 for a snake that you don't like is tying up a 911 line for a REAL emergency.

OP is entitled to her right to vent about her being scared to death by someone taunting her with a snake for their own amusement. Just because someone has the right to do something stupid doesnt mean they should. Sitting quietly with a snake is one thing - scaring others is just rude and could cause an elderly person to have a heart attack or trip and fall and hurt themselves.

Note to self... stop reading this thread.

I think I will take the advice given to your self.

me too.