[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by mak44070

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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkcunningham1
If you mean what I think you mean, I am too.

If what you mean is also what Gracie means and what I think you both mean, I thought the same thing, but am giving the benefit of the doubt .
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I'm confused - I don't know what I think you mean, or what Gracie means, or anything! Please explain.

Yes Gracie please explain, I too am confused, and could you please pass the Kool-Aid

[K9-Lovers]

The walking path behind the Creekside Cabanas is also a lovers lane, literally! I've unintentionally interrupted quite a few teen couples. Although, a few just pretend I'm not there and carry on . . .

TV security seems to keep a good handle on the teen situation in the parking lots, though.

[Mudder]

I also saw a group of teens hanging around the square. We came out the back door of movie house and the bunch of teens who were hanging around then went in the back door the theater. Seems there were only two young men working in the place that night(it was a Thursday) and we assumed that the door was left so they could get in. I have seen more teens at Lake Sumter than Spanish Springs. Maybe security needs to ask some questions.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Do I remember reading or hearing somewhere that Lake Sumter Landing is private property rather than public property? I may be wrong but seems like I heard that.

If that is the case then police can't patrol there.

If it's public then there should always be police where there is a crowd of people.

It can't be both public and private and I think it must be pubic. The reason I say that is that we have always been told that anyone can come to the downtowns and the squares because they are public. I have seen a Lady Lake police officer patrolling in a cart around Spanish Springs. How can LSL have shops, theater, restaurants, etc. and it not be public but SS is?

[Sherman931]

I agree with all the posters who think they know what it means

[golf2140]

Gracie,

There are a lot of us!!!!!

[duffysmom]

I'm getting mean, since I don't know what you all mean.

[redwitch]

Most of the teens in the Squares are pretty well-behaved. They can dance, hang out, see a movie .... Sadly, they can also drink -- it is not that hard for a teen to buy at the square kiosks (depends who's working, etc.).

Mercedes emblems have always been a great "souvenier." I can remember having to buy a new one about every 3 months in the Bay Area. I always wondered if the thiefs had any idea of how expensive their little toy was to the owners and if it would have made a difference. Never found anyone who would admit to taking them to find out.

In the meantime, vandalism does happen, even in TV. Fortunately, not often, but enough so that we should be aware and take at least some precautions (locking car doors at the squares; not leaving valuables in plain sight -- even your wallet on the kitchen counter in plain view when you open your door; etc.). You can't protect or worry about everything. Some things you have to take with a grain of salt, doo-doo happens (like the taking of a Mercedes hood ornament).

And I have seen police presence in the squares themselves but not in the parking lots. Community Watch does drive around them occasionally but I'm not convinced they really "see" anything other than cars parked illegally. We all need to be vigilant and aware. We're really the best deterrent to vandalism and theft.

As to the suspicions here, it's irrelevant. First-timers can post as they please and not all news is good news. If it didn't happen, it could have and a reminder isn't a bad idea.

[Chi-Town]

It's amazing. I used to get my Cougar hood ornament ripped off over 30 years ago even before people wore them. My son just had all four of his rim caps stolen off his Escalade. They are now jewelry. The funny thing is I can't rip my antenna off to beat the perps because it's gone. And nobody stole it.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Sherman931

I agree with all the posters who think they know what it means

Now that makes me suspicious!!

[Pturner]

What the heck, I'll 'splain it to you.

The suspicion is that this first-time poster does not really live in TV, means TV harm for whatever reason and well, made it up.

I dunno. Before this post there were several in another thread where posters mentioned seeing a large number of teens hanging out in the square this past weekend.

Teens acting badly probably show up in the nicest of places including the Villages.

The Mercedes emblem also sounds like something some teen or other miscreant might want.

[duffysmom]

Thanks Pt, you came to my rescue. As for Redwitch, she is a pistol packing mama so she has no worries about crime.

[Pturner]

Whether the incident happened or not, there needs to be two community watches in TV: the Community Watch with official cars and radios and limited authority... and us.

I'm not saying this because I think crime is on the rise. I have no evidence of that. I'm saying it because real communities-- ok, maybe not modern suburbs where nobody knows their neighbors-- but real Communities look out for each other. They care and have a sense of Community Responsibility.

So, what should we do? Sure teens have a right to hang out in the parking lot. We can keep an eye on them though-- rather obviously I might add.

But in the bushes!? If I saw a group of teenagers hiding in the bushes, I would be suspicious of their intentions and would call Community Watch. My call might be ignored. But if every Villager who saw those same teenagers hiding in the bushes called Community Watch, I suspect they'd send some trucks over.

What if we did something else? What if we pointed out the teens in the bushes to fellow Villagers on the square. What if they called too-- or even collectively walked over to the bushes to snap some pictures and ask the teens what they were doing in the bushes?

If I saw something that made me think a theater employee was leaving a side door open for vandals and thieves, I'd at the very least tell the theater manager of my concern.

Why is it that we sometimes see suspicious activity and do nothing other than gripe about it? Who is responsible for the welfare of our community if not us. Community Watch can't be everywhere. We can be. We are.

To the poster who started this thread: I am sorry this happened to you. I'm curious. Did you call the sheriff's office when you noticed the damage? Did they come out and take pictures and make an incident report? What did the officer say about it?

[swrinfla]

Pt:

with your outlook. But, I think you have to remember that there's a strong "don't get involved" culture in this country. Plus some of us are older than others [] and less inclined to cause negative responses. 50 years ago, I might have been willing and capable of physical confrontation; today, frankly, no way! And, I have limited faith that local teens wouldn't resort to 'violence!'

Sad, but, I'm afraid, TRUE!

SWR