[DonH57]

Last thing I remember reading was something refering to upgrading the camera system. I'm curious as to what was wrong with the other camera. If you have the same damage done the same way maybe a better design or reinforcement.

[PennBF]

Where we use to live there were camera's high on entrance posts and the time and a photo of the vehicle entering were recorded when the gate(s) opened. If there was a question on the property we could pull the records, (e.g. dates
and times) and using that pull up a picture of the vehicle entering. This was done because of the number of people using the property to get to the beach when they were not residents or visitors. I truly don't understand why this cannot be done at the gate in question. Put a camers "High" on the post record the times and pictures when the gate opens or closes. It would be easy to identify who is breaking the gate either by accident (questionable?) or on purpose (more likely) and bring the appropriate legal actions. It would be cheaper than conitinuing to repair damages.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by PennBF

Where we use to live there were camera's high on entrance posts and the time and a photo of the vehicle entering were recorded when the gate(s) opened. If there was a question on the property we could pull the records, (e.g. dates
and times) and using that pull up a picture of the vehicle entering. This was done because of the number of people using the property to get to the beach when they were not residents or visitors. I truly don't understand why this cannot be done at the gate in question. Put a camers "High" on the post record the times and pictures when the gate opens or closes. It would be easy to identify who is breaking the gate either by accident (questionable?) or on purpose (more likely) and bring the appropriate legal actions. It would be cheaper than conitinuing to repair damages.

Identifying the cart that causes any damage is easy with a camera security system...how do you then determine the owner of the cart and where that cart is kept?

[George Bieniaszek]

Hi Penn!

Might be harder than you think making a positive ID on the person that caused the damage without a unique identifier on the golf cart.

Take my cart as an example. I have a silver EZGO 4-seater. There has to be a hundred of them running around The Villages. OK, so I have a UCONN sticker on the front of my cart that makes it unique. Now the challenge is, "Who am I" when those features are identified in the pictures.

My point is that I support steps in a golf cart registration system similar to the one they use in Peach Tree City, Georgia and going after those that drive aggressive and/or recklessly causing crashes and damage.

[DonH57]

I was curious why a picture of someone busting the gate couldn't be posted in the Daily Sun and other outlets for help in identification. I think it would be a good start.

[Regor]

Let's be America's Friendliest Home Town and get rid of the gate! I would much rather have more golf carts in TV than cars. Since the gate appeared I haven't noticed any difference in the amount of carts on the trails. It's just an added expense to try to keep a FEW carts out.

[janmcn]

The Tri-County Medical Center owns the gate and contracts with the VCCDD for its maintenance and operation, according to The Villages on-line news. Therefore the Medical Center will pay for the repairs.

The suggestions about identifying mechanisms placed on golf carts are all good ones, but who would be in charge of enforcing the laws? The Sumter County sheriff's office has enough on its hands with monitoring automobiles and other vehicular traffic plus all of it's other law enforcement duties.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by Regor

Let's be America's Friendliest Home Town and get rid of the gate! I would much rather have more golf carts in TV than cars. Since the gate appeared I haven't noticed any difference in the amount of carts on the trails. It's just an added expense to try to keep a FEW carts out.

[DonH57]

I think we should wait till even more surrounding communities are completed before removing the gate and other future access points. Let's max out the traffic on the cart paths as if they're not crowded enough. Remember you can't exclude some communities and include others. In fact let's remove the uniqueness of the villages all together.

[PennBF]

I have a strong opinion that all Golf Carts should/must have a form of ID which would be provided by The Villages. This should be added to the rules of The Villages. It makes no sense to allow 60,000+ vehicles to run around and not be able to be identified !! If you are hit by a drunk and they just ignore it you may not be able to identify the violator. There are a number of reasons for an ID on the Cart and I don't see any reason that would support not having them. If someong objects that would imply they may be part of the problem??? I know the POA is going after seat belts but don't understand why they have not adopted this as a serious issue.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by PennBF

I have a strong opinion that all Golf Carts should/must have a form of ID which would be provided by The Villages. This should be added to the rules of The Villages. It makes no sense to allow 60,000+ vehicles to run around and not be able to be identified !! If you are hit by a drunk and they just ignore it you may not be able to identify the violator. There are a number of reasons for an ID on the Cart and I don't see any reason that would support not having them. If someong objects that would imply they may be part of the problem??? I know the POA is going after seat belts but don't understand why they have not adopted this as a serious issue.

Have you asked the POA about this issue either at a meeting or by email. If so, what was their response? Once golf carts have ID, who would make sure the drivers are following the rules?

[PennBF]

I have not asked the POA regarding this issue but believe it is something they should attack. Under todays system there is no way of identifying a cart if it hit someone, was driving under the influence, allowing young children to drive the vehicle. etc. Like driving a car through a regulated red light camera, or leaving the scene of an accident it would be critical which cart was responsible, etc. We tell owners how high their lawns must be, if RVs' can be parked in certain areas, how fast they can drive on the roads, etc. but don't regulate what cart may have violated the law, etc. Does not make sense.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by PennBF

I have not asked the POA regarding this issue but believe it is something they should attack. Under todays system there is no way of identifying a cart if it hit someone, was driving under the influence, allowing young children to drive the vehicle. etc. Like driving a car through a regulated red light camera, or leaving the scene of an accident it would be critical which cart was responsible, etc. We tell owners how high their lawns must be, if RVs' can be parked in certain areas, how fast they can drive on the roads, etc. but don't regulate what cart may have violated the law, etc. Does not make sense.

Wasn't there a accident a few weeks involving two carts adjacent to the turtle mound golf course and one of the cart operators were found to be intoxicated by sumter county deputies? I'm thinking someone had to have called 911. I also remember some posters on here claiming police had no jurisdiction on cart paths during discussions on other threads. I always try to have my cell phone with me in my cart.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by DonH57

I think we should wait till even more surrounding communities are completed before removing the gate and other future access points. Let's max out the traffic on the cart paths as if they're not crowded enough. Remember you can't exclude some communities and include others. In fact let's remove the uniqueness of the villages all together.

Perhaps we are getting to the point that we should request that sarcastic posts be made in bright blue so that no one misunderstands.

The point is well taken that there are still thousands of acres of undeveloped land surrounding The Villages that could be developed into housing tracts by other developers who might provide access to "The Villages Lifestyle" by paving golf cart paths to our unsecured "borders."

Now is the time to cut off all access to our multi-modal paths from the outside and declare that if you want The Villages Lifestyle you must own a home in The Villages.

As the poet Robert Frost wrote, "Good fences make good neighbors."

.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

Perhaps we are getting to the point that we should request that sarcastic posts be made in bright blue so that no one misunderstands.

The point is well taken that there are still thousands of acres of undeveloped land surrounding The Villages that could be developed into housing tracts by other developers who might provide access to "The Villages Lifestyle" by paving golf cart paths to our unsecured "borders."

Now is the time to cut off all access to our multi-modal paths from the outside and declare that if you want The Villages Lifestyle you must own a home in The Villages.

As the poet Robert Frost wrote, "Good fences make good neighbors."

.

I'll clarify this. If my comment was interpreted as being sarcastic and that's what you read so be it. I just want to make that crystal clear.