Talk of The Villages Florida - Security at sport pools

Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)

- The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)

- - Security at sport pools (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/security-sport-pools-32233/)

Key card readers to enter locker room out front

"The checking of cards is to protect our investment in TV amenities program from those who are not residents."

This, AND safety of women showering and dressing in the sport pool locker rooms when nobody else is around is why there ought to be Key Card Readers on the front doors to the locker rooms (like the ones that unlock a hotel room door). . . swipe our resident ID card to enter the locker room.

Of the 50 or so times I've used the sport pools to work out between 5 p.m. and dusk/closing, I have been asked for my ID card only once. This is neither safe in the locker rooms nor protective of our investment in TV amenities program.

I also thought the key card readers would be a good idea. I take a water aerobics class 2 nights a week at Seabreeze and have only been asked twice for my card. As a matter of fact last night someone even asked the question of the man who was checking last night, why on some days cards are checked and on others they aren't.

My experience with the sport pools and exercise classes is limited. In June we were down for a week and there was no one to check ID at the class my wife went to.
In September I went to 2 classes and my ID was checked once. So 33% ID checking.
No doubt that one of the �It�s always sunnier in the villages� posters will say that this is not typical.

Before one of the "developer is the devil" posters gets the wrong idea we voted with our checkbook bought a house with a pool in August and love it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowbirdtobe (Post 296303)

I love your post Snowbirdtobe. AND in my own defense, when we arrived here they were choosing teams and I got called by the sunny team. I can do devil just as well, but I am a team player.

AND....Since I am generally here during the winter season, being a snowbird (who wants to be a frog.) I am guessing that when the droves of people return they may check more often. They always come in with their bird call thingy at my art classes. But artists really need to be checked on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 784caroline (Post 295654)

Here is the Official story,,...I contacted the TV Director of Security and copied Janet Tutt...I heard back from the TV Director of Recreation within 2 hours with this response. The Local police were in fact contacted, a man was in the womans lockeroom, but to use the term "ATTACKED" appears to be a exaggeration....at least based on this report. Here goes!!

************************************************** ****

I would like to respond to the email regarding this incident. Lake Miona staff was approached by two females that there was an alleged male in the women’s restroom shower. When staff was notified they went to the parking lot to see if there was anyone that met the description. Staff then went to get additional details from the two females who reported the incident. As soon as staff went to get more details from the two females, they had left the facility without providing any additional details or their names or contact info to staff. Staff notified the manager of the incident who called 911. Sumter County Sheriff’s Department responded and filed a police report. As of today’s date there are no other details or confirmation regarding the two residents or the alleged male. If any new details are provided, we will communicate this information to the proper authorities. Recreation Staff, Community Watch and Sumter County Sheriff’s Department have all been made aware of alleged incident and concern by our residents. We will continue to monitor our facilities. We encourage residents to notify recreation staff, community watch or 911 if they need assistance. If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

John B. Rohan

Director of Recreation

I am the Village Resident who was showering alone at Lake Miona after pickleball. This is what happened. I draped my towel and clothing over the top of the shower rod. Someone flicked the shower lights on and off. I said, "Hello" to let the individual know I was in the shower. When there was no response, I turned to view the shower curtain. On the side of the shower entrance, opposite where the light switch is located, I saw a hand slowly moving the shower curtain, I assumed to look into the shower area. I was naked and vulnerable but I quickly grabbed the shower curtain and stuck my head out to see a man who appeared to be in his 20s, with olive skin, about 5'9", medium build, wearing what appeared to be a uniform. I believe the slacks were gray with an open-collar, short-sleeved, button shirt. He was heading toward the exit when I said, "Don't look in here." He said, "I thought it was the men's room." He did not exit but turned left into the women's restroom.

I reported the incident to the monitor who was entering the pool.

I told my pickleball buddies of my experience. Yesterday, 9/30/10, one of my pball buddies told me to check-out Talk of The Villages to see that someone else had a similar experience. I wondered if it were my experiece, somewhat embellished.

Today, 10/1/10, I returned to Lake Miona Recreation Center to learn what, if anything, had been done regarding the incident. The gal at the front desk took me to the manager's office. The manager said that a police report was made. I gave the manager my name and phone number. She said she would give it to the police.

I am waiting for the police to contact me.

I'm very sorry that this happened to you.

In your heart do you feel that is was a mistake or something more?

No such thing as a minor incident, no mater it's intent, when it happens to you.

Welcome to TOTV and stay with us.

Thank you Gracie and Nighthawk for making me feel welcome. I don't think I will be as intimated next time I want to make a post. I want to learn the "ins and outs" of this site.

We will be coming down in August of 2011 to furnish our home. It's hard to contain our excitement.

thank you for clarifying the details of your very frightening experience. It is a good reminded to always be vigilant and proactive in vulnerable situations. In that regard, it is not a good idea for you (or anyone else) to use your full name and put your address and telephone number on a public forum. I have been a member for a couple of years and never indicate where I live or what my full name is. Sad isn't it, but in today's world we need to protect ourselves. Unfortunately I had to learn this lesson the hard way. Thank you again for the very important reminder that there are sick people everywhere. Kudos to Mr. or Mrs. Bike for their bravery in getting involved.

Sorry this happened to you.

Good that you removed your phone and address,. I too learned the hard way not to do this and still have problems because of something I e-mailed to a different site almost a decade ago.

Hopefully, the Villages' sports pool management will improve things for shower users with respect to safety and security.

Thank you. It is so appreciated that you told us what happened. I am sure it was very frightening.

I too hope that you will continue to post here.

Wow...TOTV found you or vice versa. Im sure we are all glad to hear your story.

I am certain this experience was freightening at first and it is very unfortunate it even happened. Your story appears to agree with the response we received from the Director of Recreation...it is a very level headed account and description of what happened....and certainly glad it was not more serious than what you described.

What raised the ire/concern of some of us on the board was the Original poster, used terms like "grabbing, grouping, screamimg, and the best one was attacked"...yet if all this happened as then described, there was no first hand account. Everyone who lives in TV is concerned about the safety and welfare of others and we all expect a safe environment. What we dont want are exaggerated half truths or "rumors" that can scare the TV population for no reason. Your post cleared the air on that acount.

It is good that you met with management at the rec center pool and will talk to the police. Not certain there is anything they can do about your particular incident but it will create an offical record of what can happen. TV then needs to decide based on cumulative facts, if more security is in fact needed and what type. At this point we really dont know (and probably never know) if it was a person simply lost, or was that an excuse and he just moved on.

Thanks again for sharing your story.!

duffysmom--I am the Mrs Bike.( Mr Bike was floating in the pool when all that happened and didn't hear a thing) Thank you for your response. Isn't it to bad we have say thanks for doing what we think is the "right thing" to do.

crad reade issues

Card reader sounds good, but remember the perpertrator could also be a Villager who has access too. I use the sports pools at least three times a week and have never been asked for card, but then again how do you ask someone who is in the pool. To check everyone someone would have to be stationed outside the doors. I have often thought what I would do if no one else was around when I wanted to swim. Firstly I would never swim alone anyway and secondly you can not tell a perpertrator from anyone else. In a population such as ours don't you think we have all types of people here?
I live no where near Miona or Seabreeze but like those pools and so go there often. I have always taken a shower after swimming and am usually the only one in locker room or shower, I'll be a little more aware now.

....thanks for coming on here and providing a factual account of what happened. It is much appreciated. I agree with all the points 784Caroline made in his most recent post. It was no doubt a disturbing incident with who knows what being the guy's intent. Was he lost, was he a voyeur, was he casing the locker room for valuables? Who knows. It sounds like you handled it all very responsibly.

I was surprised at the design of the sports pool locker room/showers. I would have expected and certainly preferred individual showers with stalls for privacy. That type of design could have prevented an incident like this.

....thank you so much for taking the time to share the elusive facts surrounding your encounter at Miona. It set the record straight and stopped the effervescent rumor mill cold while giving us the incentive to be aware of our surroundings wherever we go. Hopefully, the management will review your account and include it in considering enhancements to safety considerations at the pools. I hope you continue to post on TOTV and perhaps offer some security perspectives at the pools based on your own experience and observations.

Thanks.