[Bonny]

Originally Posted by sharoni

Some members of our family were visiting and when they left the movie theater around 9:30, those same bunch of kids were running all over Brownwood AGAIN. So for those tho haven't seen this, only a matter of time...Anyone know where this bunch of black kids are coming from? These were not small kids, they were late teen and early 20's. Doesn't matter their color, just that they are disruptive and making us feel unsafe. On a good note, there were police everywhere,

Did I miss something ?? You said black kids and then said it doesn't matter their color ! Then why even say it ?

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by donb9006

You moved to an over 55 community to be WITH children? Really? Seems like a non sequitur to me.

Packs of teens are like roaches...there are more than you see, and it leads to a dirty place to live. Compare places with more to those with less...you'll reach the same conclusion.

Don, if you desire to live in an area with gates, (it would not be my preference but I respect yours...), you may be very interested in Stonecrest or Spruce Creek adjacent to The Villages. These are very controlled communities as far as public access and they may be the type of security that makes you most comfortable.

Unfortunately, for your desires, The Villages is a retirement area that includes the public and I don't see that ever changing. Most of us have no problem living in the type of scenario in which we have lived most of our lives but has an additional layer of security, still it is by no means a fortress. Enjoy your day!

[Barefoot]

Fact: If we want the Squares to remain open and vibrant, income from "outsiders" is needed. Residents from outside communities, including teenagers, are welcome to attend movies, shop, dance at the Squares, eat in restaurants and hang out.

If a bunch of wrinklies are standing around drinking and talking and having a good time, it's OK. If a bunch of teenagers are hanging out together, it's considered threatening. Come on, we were all teenagers once, and probably we all loved hanging out with our friends. Let's not blow this thing out of proportion.

[Karron]

Originally Posted by Hopeful2

I just read today a disturbing report about Brownwood ...kids/teenagers running around in Brownwood in the evening ... acting less than appropriate and Villagers feeling less than safe in that area at night. Please say it isn't so.

Yes, just wait until The Village of Fruitland Park is completed!

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by Karron

Yes, just wait until The Village of Fruitland Park is completed!

It will be better yet, won't it Karron? Some very nice people live in Fruitland Park and they are an asset to the surrounding communities. Hi to our neighbors in Fruitland Park,

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Lynne2387

People are talking about vandalism at the Barnstorm Theatre - seats were slashed?

People talk about a lot of things. What people, where, when?

[Bonny]

A lot of the young people hanging around work in the stores and restaurants here. They get off early, go to the movies, World of Beer, City Fire and hang around talking. Probably talking about all the old people that were complaining and wanting their meals comped. (Just Kidding . They like to unwind after work just like all of us did when we were young. I remember being young and hanging with friends at the mall. Older people would look at us like we were criminals !
I love the Villages and have no problem with younger people. My daughter and grandson come here a couple times a week spending money.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Karron

Yes, just wait until The Village of Fruitland Park is completed!

How will that change anything relative to teenagers on the square??

[Bonny]

I would rather have the young kids hanging out than the old Villages dudes with a rolling meth lab !!!

[Patty55]

Originally Posted by Karron

Yes, just wait until The Village of Fruitland Park is completed!

HUH? I've been to Fruitland Park, doesn't look so big and bad.

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by Karron

Yes, just wait until The Village of Fruitland Park is completed!

I am certainly not an advocate of this development, but I don't see any relevance to this subject other than an additional 4,000 "old wrinklies", as we have been referred to, helping to out number those young "rowdies" in Brownwood.

[jimmemac]

Good lord 7 pages of this stuff?? Guess someone let the kool aide get contaminated with a little reality! If you don't like it you can leave or you can choose to hibernate in your own little village section-the fact is that we have choices and from my perspective we have pretty good choices. Are things going to be perfect? No but they are going to be pretty great. The villages continues to grow and change; will it all be good? Probably not but I am betting that most of that growth and change will be far better than most other places we could live therefore I choose to live here and have a realistic view of things.

[skyc6]

Originally Posted by donb9006

Didn't we move to an over 55 community to avoid children?

Maybe we should vote to have "real" gates?

There are not usually kids in assisted living or nursing homes, but until I get there I enjoy seeing a mix of age ranges.

[BS Beef]

Originally Posted by Happinow

It doesn't matter which square you are at. Kids, teenagers and under age people who are running around with no real purpose aren't what we signed up for at The Villages. Some of us moved from this type of atmosphere to get away from it. Running around the squares serves no purpose except to be disruptive. Someone needs to get a handle on it right away before it becomes a playground. Word travels fast amongst kids that the squares are a place to go to play around. We want to go enjoy the squares without being afraid of a group of kids running about intimidating us. Even if no physical damage is done by kids, sometimes their behavior is damaging enough among elderly people. Let's not allow the squares to become an alternative to hanging out at a mall. No good can come from it. Yes, I know,they are public squares but I feel like we have paid for them and should be able to enjoy them.

Any one remember the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? I can't help but think of the King locking up the children. Sorry I get it this is a serious thread but just too funny to me.

[teachnmo]

Living in The Villages is mostly for 55 years and older, but the squares are for the public. Also why people outside of The Villages attends events there.