We are only month to month renters so my 2 cents isn't as valuable as an owner. But why not give a few people that are regular users or volunteers that have access to an app to check scan redident ID. Especially because people know who regulars are and if I'm new and someone asks me to show my resident ID I'm happy to show it. You pay for amazing facilities that IMO are above and beyond so many other communities. Thats why we enjoy visiting. Maybe one day being longer term. I always brag to people about the fact the facilities are well maintained and equip is not from a dollar store.

I would rather pay higher amenity fees to keep outsiders out, no matter how The Villages does it.

Increasing the amenities fee “to keep outsiders out” is not currently an option. The amenities fee increases by the CPI. Spending more to screen for residency will result in less money being spent elsewhere.

Isn't their job to check IDs of those entering the rec center? Or arranging rooms before the next group comes in? Or cleaning the rooms after the group that just left? Or answering questions at the desk? Or, in the regionals, typing in guest-pass information for those who didn't do that online? Seems like the one or two people on duty have a lot of places to be at once.

We already have Park & Recreation as well as Community watch employees that should be doing this but they don't. There is no need to hire even more people. Even if they did check, people know all they have to do at a pool is jump in and they don't check ID's.

Better controlled access, get them at the entrances, I'm sure technology can solve the problem with AI and pattern recognition. Cameras at the rec center parking lots can help too.

The Villages is not a true gated community, therefore, problem will never be resolved.

Perhaps the answer is to move forward on these ideas until the residents cry uncle and ask to have them removed.

I'm picturing Community Watch showing up, blowing a loud coach's whistle, and yelling, "Listen up! Everyone out of the pool and line up for ID checks!"

Maybe extend this idea to speed cameras along all the roads within the Villages. Could check for vehicles exceeding 10mph (Villas), 20mph (golf carts), 30mph (east/west roads), and 35mph (north/south roads).

Maybe extend even further and have DWI checkpoints on all the exits from every square every night and prior to the golf cart paths.

I remember some statistics from the Rec Dept. last year about ID checks and non-Villagers. Apparently, that wasn't enough. So sure, implement frequent, strict, and complete enforcement of the rules for everyone including the regulars who know that "those people" don't belong in their pool. It will cost a bit at first and will destroy the "Florida's Friendliest Hometown" feeling but hey, we won't have those unclean outsiders dirtying up our pool water. Then in two months, after the outcry, we can go back to normal.

Imposing guest fees might be useful. It wouldn't stop people who are NOT guests from entering the facilities, but it would cover the added expense of someone to check everyone's IDs.

Would you want the community watch job that required you to get in and out of your vehicle.....multiple times per day? What are you really saying?

I think the Villages should get cameras and a system that does facial recognition on all the people at the pool. It will be a continuous scan and when a person isn't recognized, the displays in the Rec center can start flashing alerting the attendant and the police of the unauthorized access.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

God help me if I don't shave for a few days.

Community watch
 

How does this sound? Hire somebody to cover say 20 pool complexes (pickleball/tennis,pools,beach volleyball, bocce). Buy them a golf cart (less money than a car) and drive between the 20 complexes checking for passes. Maybe a way to help off set the cost would be to charge say $3 per day for guest passes. Just thinking out loud , I personally have not seen a problem with outsiders using our facilities.

STRONGLY AGREE
with Volunteers Checking ID’s
(with a smile and friendly disposition)

NO REASON
to up our monthly dues to pay for security … an element that would also present an “unfriendly” look to the “Friendliest Place” we live