[graciegirl]

To the poster who started this thread. Where are my manners?? I want to welcome you to this forum. I feel sure that you have been a "lurker" for awhile because you know how to post and what to say. I hate that your very first post had to be about something so negative that happened here. Not that those things don't happen, but I hope you will come back and tell us something wonderful too.

I hope that you continue to post and I am sorry that you had damage to your car.

I very much agree with PTurner, (I always do) about calling the police when this sort of thing occurs. I also concur with taking a picture, walking up to kids and asking them WHY they are hiding in bushes (For PETE'S SAKE) or asking the person on duty at the front door of the movies what is going on with the kids going in the back door, and get his/her name so you can pass it on to powers that be.

We can change this place. My kids don't call me the "warden" for nothing.

And...I do owe you an apology, Taruffi57 for not saying Hello and come on in.

I may have been a little jealous because no one ever wants to tear anything off of our Chrysler van or the Taurus.

[laryb]

Originally Posted by dillywho

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 guess if it's the third choice, we know what's going on behind the theaters. Now I'M confused!

[Boudicca]

We too were at Sumter square last weekend and had to walk past a crowd of sneering teens in order to get to our cart parked behind the theater. Tight crop topped gals were lounging in a truck bed, while youths went through the usual routine of jabbing at each other and dashing madly off using foul language. Glad hubby left the Jag at home. Agree with others, that the parking lots are the new gathering place for unsavory youth "groups"?....

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by shrandell

We too were at Sumter square last weekend and had to walk past a crowd of sneering teens in order to get to our cart parked behind the theater. Tight crop topped gals were lounging in a truck bed, while youths went through the usual routine of jabbing at each other and dashing madly off using foul language. Glad hubby left the Jag at home. Agree with others, that the parking lots are the new gathering place for unsavory youth "groups"?....

Shrandell. That is awful. I hope that the people who can do something are reading this forum.

Now I really am ashamed. I haven't been there all summer. I shouldn't have been suspicious.

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by taruffi57

Went to movie 9:20 PM 8/18/10 & parked behind businesses across street from Theatre at Lake Sumter Landing. Left movie about 11:20 PM. Discovered next morning that our Mercedes coupe had the front grille center large round/3 pointed star emblem pried off of it. Also, smaller same emblem on trunk lid appears to have been pried on with pocket knife. The scumbag lowlife broke that one - as part of it is still on the car. Also scratched the paint. I'm sure he is wearing it around his neck on a cheap chain or glued to his lime green jacked up '68 Impala 4 door with 24" chrome rims. Community Watch says NO security cameras in that parking lot. WHAT? As much money as Villagers pay in fees!!!!!!! IS YOUR CAR NEXT????? We'll have to eat this one.

Signed,
Extremely agitated resident

I am so sorry to hear that you received damage of any kind. The best help I can be is to offer to trade you for my 2007 Honda Accord. People never bother it. LET ME KNOW

[golf2140]

To end this problem, we all should be proactive. If you see this behavior, call 911 and let the deputies take care of the issue. If they receive a lot of calls, they will better patrol the area. As we all know the squeaky wheel gets action.

[redwitch]

Quite frankly, while I do carry at all times, there is no way I would confront a group of teens. 1. It is too easy overwhelm one individual with or without a weapon when there is a group. 2. It can make a non-volatile situation become downright dangerous for all involved.

I do like the idea of calling Community Watch if I saw kids hiding in bushes or hanging around the parking lot -- they don't belong there. However, I would not call in front of them. I'd wait til I got around the corner. No reason to inflame them. Just not worth the risk. Also, if you're going to call, be sure the kids are doing something wrong. Hanging around the squares is acceptable. Even turning certain areas into a lovers' lane of sorts is more or less okay (we may not like it, but the chances of it causing harm are pretty slim). Hiding, posing and cursing, hanging around in inappropriate areas should be reported. I know I reported some kids hanging around the 441 bridge. Community Watch did talk to the kids and sent them on their way.

Sneaking into movie theaters is, of course, illegal. However, it is a time-honored tradition. I was a pretty honorable kid and pretty much followed most rules but, if given a chance, I would happily sneak in the back door of the theater or hide in the trunk to get into the drive-in.

So, hopefully, we won't call every time we see a teen, but won't hesitate to call if we see a teen behaving inappropriately.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by jebartle

Think the criminals will find out that at least half of residents are
"packing" and have lots of time to observe suspicious characters!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

I read the quote above three or four times and I thought....You mean UNpacking....and then it dawned on me.


I think I have something left from my Dale Evans days.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by SALYBOW

I am so sorry to hear that you received damage of any kind. The best help I can be is to offer to trade you for my 2007 Honda Accord. People never bother it. LET ME KNOW

ahhh
Maybe things have changed?
The Accord for over a decade was the most stolen car.
Does yours have something going on with it?

L and L

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I read the quote above three or four times and I thought....You mean UNpacking....and then it dawned on me.


I think I have something left from my Dale Evans days.

Goodnight Gracie

[snowbird1898]

I too have a carrying license but as you mentioned it seems the criminals have more rights than the honest people. But in todays times it seems that things will never be the same with the bad people having no fear of prosecution. And yes again as using your head in different "situtations" will save your life more than once.

I guess we have all noticed all the "groups" of kids hanging around the theaters, especially late at night and also commented to my wife that "The Villages" is not and should not be a public "gathering" place for kids that have no place to go. Granted 99% may be ok but there is always the ones that will try to "show off" to their friends by creating trouble.

Have noticed that "Surveillance Cameras" very much do deter most (not all) people as they have now placed them in Tampa's downtown Ybor City and has cut the crime by half. I think (just my opinion) that if the "Surveillance Cameras" were made "aware" of that the young people would probably move to a less "obvious" area. After all you see more and more of them used..."effectively"

PS Thats another reason ...and a shame.... that I don't take my (new) car out of the garage unless I'm next to it. Some people can't stand for anyone to have anything nice

Originally Posted by redwitch

Quite frankly, while I do carry at all times, there is no way I would confront a group of teens. 1. It is too easy overwhelm one individual with or without a weapon when there is a group. 2. It can make a non-volatile situation become downright dangerous for all involved.

I do like the idea of calling Community Watch if I saw kids hiding in bushes or hanging around the parking lot -- they don't belong there. However, I would not call in front of them. I'd wait til I got around the corner. No reason to inflame them. Just not worth the risk. Also, if you're going to call, be sure the kids are doing something wrong. Hanging around the squares is acceptable. Even turning certain areas into a lovers' lane of sorts is more or less okay (we may not like it, but the chances of it causing harm are pretty slim). Hiding, posing and cursing, hanging around in inappropriate areas should be reported. I know I reported some kids hanging around the 441 bridge. Community Watch did talk to the kids and sent them on their way.

Sneaking into movie theaters is, of course, illegal. However, it is a time-honored tradition. I was a pretty honorable kid and pretty much followed most rules but, if given a chance, I would happily sneak in the back door of the theater or hide in the trunk to get into the drive-in.

So, hopefully, we won't call every time we see a teen, but won't hesitate to call if we see a teen behaving inappropriately.

[batman911]

Best way to get teenagers to move on is to simply stand and observe them. They do not like to be where adults can watch them. That's probably why they are in the parking lots instead of the squares. If the community watch or anyone else simply stands near and observes, they will move on. Don't need to say a word.

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by batman911

Best way to get teenagers to move on is to simply stand and observe them. They do not like to be where adults can watch them. That's probably why they are in the parking lots instead of the squares. If the community watch or anyone else simply stands near and observes, they will move on. Don't need to say a word.

That’s not “The Shadow’s” job, you take care of it “batman”. Stalking minors is not my dish of fish.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by The Shadow

That’s not “The Shadow’s” job, you take care of it “batman”. Stalking minors is not my dish of fish.

Boy Howdy.