[Polar Bear]

From today's news...

THE VILLAGES - District 5 supervisors announced Friday that they would not take legal action against the party or parties responsible for illegal tree cutting activity along Lake Miona last year, if the district is reimbursed for its costs of replacing the trees. CDD5 supervisors said those responsible could submit restitution anonymously.

[Advogado]

It is really surprising that the sheriff's department, which had shown itself to be very competent in solving other crimes has not been able to solve this one. It makes one wonder WHY?

In an earlier life, I worked on some fairly sophisticated criminal investigations and solving this crime looks like child's play. It seems obvious that one or more of four homeowners is the perpetrator. Since all four homeowners benefited by the tree cutting, it is likely that the initiator contacted the other three to request sharing of the costs. In addition, when one looks at the number of houses in close proximity to the scene of the crime and thinks of the noise and commotion involved in taking down the trees, the operation must have been the talk of the neighborhood. It was certainly observed by a number the neighbors who must know who is responsible for it.

In addition, the perpetrator had to contact and pay a tree-cutting service to do the actual work. That contacting and payment would have left a trail that could be uncovered.

Therefore, a serious investigator would take steps like the following:
1. Subpoena the phone, credit card, and bank records of the four logical suspects for the relevant period of time.
2. Interview/subpoena, and perhaps offer immunity to, any tree-cutting services called or paid, by any of the four.
3. Subpoena, before a grand jury, the neighbors in the immediate vicinity and find out what they really know about the matter. How many people are willing to risk a perjury conviction to cover for a neighbor?
4. Subpoena all four of the suspects, cutting a deal if necessary to nail the initiator of the project.

However, this kind of rigorous investigation would engender a lot of bad publicity, perhaps even nationwide bad publicity, for The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

Finally a factual post on this topic.

[billethkid]

Very Interesting! I would have loved to hear the discussion leading to that conclusion.

[villagetinker]

I would have liked to see a cutoff date included. JMHO

[adeleb]

Does this mean they have identified those responsible?
I personally believe that naming the culprits might be best as fear of public embarrassment may prevent any others so inclined from doing the same.
Kind of like the police blotter in my local paper that prints names of DWI's.

[joldnol]

If You've Got the Dime you won't do time. Works out Well for the perp

[outlaw]

Kinda sounds like an offer to whomever...Doesn't sound like they definitively know who did it.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Kinda sounds like an offer to whomever...Doesn't sound like they definitively know who did it.

Agree.

[Boomer]

Interesting proposal.

A quote from Erma Bombeck came to mind: "Guilt: The gift that keeps on giving."

But then I thought about how the cost of sleep varies.

Will see.

Treed? Or not?

[NavyNJ]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

From today's news...

THE VILLAGES - District 5 supervisors announced Friday that they would not take legal action against the party or parties responsible for illegal tree cutting activity along Lake Miona last year, if the district is reimbursed for its costs of replacing the trees. CDD5 supervisors said those responsible could submit restitution anonymously.

Interesting position/approach to take, for sure. However, I'm not so sure it is entirely just their call to make. For instance, aren't all CDD's south of 466A, like 5-10, all sharing in the costs on this? Why would only 1 CDD get to make the call on pursuing prosecution? The other thing that may not be entirely clear here is whether the local (County) or State authorities actually need any entity within TV to pursue legal action, in order for them to bring charges against those involved, once they knew who they were, and had sufficient evidence to bring charges.

[Chatbrat]

There are not that many tree removal company's around--the firm who didn't get the job, knows who asked them to bid the job

[CFrance]

How could they bring legal action against the responsible parties unless they know who they are? Makes me think somebody somewhere knows something.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by polar bear

from today's news...

The villages - district 5 supervisors announced friday that they would not take legal action against the party or parties responsible for illegal tree cutting activity along lake miona last year, if the district is reimbursed for its costs of replacing the trees. Cdd5 supervisors said those responsible could submit restitution anonymously.

they are kidding right ???

[tuccillo]

The guilty party will just drop off a suitcase of small, unmarked bills in the garbage can on the northeast corner of the LSL square.

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

they are kidding right ???