[JUREK]

Sorry to see it happened to you. I have been very fortunate to never have it happen to me. I understand you must feel terrible. As a snowbird I am very lucky to have neighbors in TV that watch my place like a hawk. Of course anything can still happen . Keep your eyes open and don't hesitate to call the police. Good luck in finding the crooks.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

Yes, last night we were out with friends from Belevedere and they said the police and canine unit were warning everyone in their neighborhood because a screen had been pushed in on one of the houses.

Be on the alert.

Minty, that is shocking and I'm sorry it happened to you. I always think my dogs will bark if people attempt a break in and that will scare them away. Obviously not, I have to start being more mindful.

Re the police in Belvedere warning everyone to be careful ... I live in Belvedere and was unaware. Good information, thanks Chels.

[Yoda]

Interesting. Nobody brings a gun to these parties except the bad guys.

[samhass]

So..let's suppose you are asleep and an intruder breaks into your house. What do you do? If memory serves, I think I read in the Sun, some time back, that you should pretend that you are still asleep...even if he is in your bedroom. How could you do that? What would you do???

[redwitch]

These breakins are getting downright scary. Last year, they were basically localized. Not this go-round -- they're all over from the historic side to Rio Grande to Virginia Trace to Hadley.

From what I've heard, the police think they're all the same group (but copycats are bound to start if they haven't already). It appears a young woman in her 20s is the lookout. She stands on the street on a cell phone while the home is broken into.

Another theory by the police is that it might be subcontractors since the house are not normally searched (the thieves seem to know exactly where to go) and only really valuable items are taken (a hidden coin collection in one instance, Minty's good jewels sigh, etc.) and they do seem to know the homeowners' schedules. I would suggest that if you have a lot of work done that you get your lock rekeyed as well as putting doweling on sliders (not just the lanai doors but any sliding windows as well).

I'm so glad that no one has been hurt as yet and, Minty, I'm so sorry to hear that one of the victims is someone that we know and like so much.

[ouma1938]

I just read about your horrible experience Minty and am so sorry that it happened to you. Thank God though that neither of you were hurt and they dogs didn't get hurt either. I always worry about break ins and my cats.

[njgranny]

Sorry this happened to you. It's a terrible thing to have your privacy invaded. I, too, am glad that nothing happened to you or your doggies.

It amazed me that they weren't at least a little concerned about the dogs. Our dog would bark, but would probably befriend anyone who came in the house. I always hope that if anyone tries to come in while we're here, she'll let us know.

Hope they catch these people soon. I think with lots of people keeping watch for strange events, they will be caught.

[zcaveman]

Raise your hand if you think this will be written up in the Daily Sun.

There have been several in Polo Ridge that did not make it.

[Laker14]

Does TV have any restrictions on the breeds of dogs one may have?

Some communities don't allow certain breeds, like Pitt Bulls, or Rottweillers. They can be, and usually are, wonderful dogs unless intentionally mishandled.

They can also be more discouraging to a burglar than a schnauzer.

Just wondering.

[Mintjulep]

As for having work done on our house, we did just have a summer kitchen added. We had many workman around, plumbers, electricians, stucco people, cabinets, screens. All the guys seemed very nice. The only ones inside our house was the electrician to do some extra things we wanted. And the main contractor.
But most of the guys met our dogs on the lanai.
One of our dogs was an abused rescue, and he is very wary of strangers in his territory. We have to introduce him to new people very slowly. He's very suspicious and growly until he knows you. But then he'll love you to death.
The final inspection on our work was done yesterday.
I absolutely hate to think it could be a worker, but the police are going to interview every single person who worked here.

Whoever broke in was only in our bedroom and bath (we think), and the bedroom door was closed, so the dogs couldn't get in there, but I'm sure they were raising cain.

And our break-in has not been in the Daily Sun. (yet?)

The detectives said they are all working overtime, 6 and 7 days a week,
until they catch this ring of crooks.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Does TV have any restrictions on the breeds of dogs one may have?

Some communities don't allow certain breeds, like Pitt Bulls, or Rottweillers. They can be, and usually are, wonderful dogs unless intentionally mishandled.

They can also be more discouraging to a burglar than a schnauzer.

Just wondering.

Hey Laker, you don't know my schnauzers!! They think they are pit bulls.

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by samhass

So..let's suppose you are asleep and an intruder breaks into your house. What do you do? If memory serves, I think I read in the Sun, some time back, that you should pretend that you are still asleep...even if he is in your bedroom. How could you do that? What would you do???

lock and load.

[Cassie325]

That was exactly my thought when I read that comment....WATCH out for Kathie's pit bulls....oops I mean schnauzers!! They are vicious! Well they want to be! LOL

However....any dog would be a little scary in compared to our princess cats!!

[graciegirl]

We have three cats with black belts. OOPs I meant two!

[Hancle704]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

Raise your hand if you think this will be written up in the Daily Sun.

There have been several in Polo Ridge that did not make it.

And recently near Tiera del Sol.

You hardly hear any mention in the Daily Sun of these increasing number of burglaries. The paper will report crimes in Fruitland Park, Wildwood, Belleview and other communities but rarely a mention of break-ins and thefts in TV.

I know that paper doesn't want to ruin the image of America's Friendliest Hometown but they do residents a disservice by not reporting all of these crimes. This lack of reporting lulls folks into a false sense of security. After all we do live in a community with gates and video recording of cars and license plates. How much do they deter?

Police cannot patrol TV all day in every area. So it is essential that folks start watching out for their neighbors and vice versa and call 911 for every suspicious situation.

Unfortunately, the economic situation will lead to more crime especially against seniors.