[redwitch]

Theft is not much of a problem in TV in general. The bathrooms at the pools are used by workers (they really have nowhere else they can go) but they go straight to the bathroom and then back to their trucks. Sometimes they will eat around the pool area, but not in it.

The biggest petty theft seems to be golf clubs while golfers are enjoying the 19th hole. It is rare to hear of a purse or wallet being stolen. In fact, the exact opposite is true: it is very common to hear of someone having dropped an item with quite a bit of cash in it and it being returned to them, frequently at a good deal of inconvenience to the finder.

So, I do believe that having someone at the pool area to prevent thefts is a complete and utter waste of time and money. As I have said before, I really don't care if a "local" uses our facilities as long as they are respectful and do no harm. I do understand the issue that they don't pay for the use and we do, but it is a very small number and it is usually friends of residents who are visiting the residents. I have always felt that guest passes should be issued to these visitors and do not understand the rule prohibiting tri-county, non TV residents from using facilities with residents. But the rules say no, so that is that. The only way to prevent it is to have a monitor at the pools at all times. Otherwise, I think we TVers have to resign ourselves to the fact that locals (whether from Spruce Creek or Wildwood) are going to use the pools and we can rail, complain or whine about it all we want and it will change nothing. So, how about we quit beating a dead horse and enjoy our beautiful bubble and gracefully share when it does no harm.

[getdul981]

We don't live in TV yet, but we will within the next 8 to 10 months. One of the reasons we chose TV is BECAUSE of the rules and restrictions that are imposed on residents and visitors. If you start to overlook one minor infraction of the rules, pretty soon, there will be two or three. Not a big deal, right? That's probably what everyone thought about the illegal aliens coming into the US years ago. It's only a few, we won't say anything. Now look at what has happened. Do you want this to happen to TV? I certainly don't. When you pay your amenity fee, you are paying for the right to use the facilities as well as your guests. Anyone using the facilities that have not paid are stealing from you. It's not much, but it's still stealing.

I don't know what the solution is, maybe the armband thing, but someone will figure a way to get around that too. I think we should do like Barney Fife said and "Nip it, Nip it in the bud".

[Bogie Shooter]

Solution to what? You assume there is a problem.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by NJblue

What I don't understand is why they use the village ID card for pools. Why not use elastic bracelets with a small badge attached to it that all pool users must have on their wrists at all times? The residents would have a badge with their ID number on it and it would be a unique color (which possibly could change every year). Guests would be issued a different colored badge. When a resident picked up guest passes they could also pick up a corresponding number of pool badges but be required to put a $5-10 deposit on each one which would be returned once the guest badges are returned.

NJBlue ... a well thought out response. It seems like an inexpensive solution.

[dillywho]

Why wait until this issue becomes a "big" problem? Kudos to jblum for teaching her young ones responsibility...that's part of what I have tried to say and yes, it is one solution. Another poster (getdul) got it right about the illegals....when it was just a few nobody got excited and look at it now. I can remember, I think it was last summer, how many people were complaining because too many residents were using and/or bringing their LEGAL guests into Bridgeport's pool and it was too crowded. (Bridgeport seems to be a favorite of many.) I remember reading about that one.

There was a focus group formed about guest ID's and how best to handle them. You want to know why this was done? Primarily because of the cheaters. One example: More and more who had dual residences were moving just outside TV because they didn't want the expenses associated with living here, especially having to pay the ammenity fee year-round. They continued to use TV ammenities by simply getting their Villages buddies to get them a guest card which is renewable every 30 days. Guests must present their Villages issued guest card as well as a picture ID. No problem, since their picture ID listed their out-of-area address and not their FL one.

The ID bracelet is the best idea IMHO. I would certainly be willing to pay. Before you say it, yes, someone will still be willing to cheat on that one as well. Theft of personal belongings is not a problem, but just any and everybody coming in could change that. I remember how amazed I was when we first came here a few years before moving here about people being able to leave their clubs (and anything else) in their carts without concern. Look how that has evolved, but it wasn't a "problem" then.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Solution to what? You assume there is a problem.

I tend to think the issue is minimal from my experience around the Mallory area pools. IMO, the current solution is a reasonable response to the issue.

How could we enhance this? How about some self policing. It is OUR community. If every time the pool monitor comes through 3 people hop in the pool, maybe we could slip the monitor a note....

As far as the bracelet, am I the only one that does not want to wear a bracelet? What about my tan line?

In addition, the bracelet offers much less security than the ID. There is no way to know you are the person who should have the bracelet/tag. The ID gives the monitor a way to verify the you are really authorized to be here.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Pturner

I don't think spot checking ID badges at the pools promotes a false sense of security. I think it just means that some, but not all, violators get caught.

How is that different from the way public roadways are patrolled? Most of the time, speeders and those who run stop lights, etc. are not caught. They merely run the risk of being caught. In areas where traffic violations are numerous and/or cause accidents or impede traffic flow, patrols tend to be increased. It's just a matter of putting limited resources where they will do the most good.

I'm not saying enforcement could not be improved. However, just because enforcement isn't perfect doesnt mean it's either unjustified or unhelpful. I'm glad that badges are at least spot checked.

Well stated P!

[Russ_Boston]

If there really isn't much of a problem then do we need to do anything?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

If there really isn't much of a problem then do we need to do anything?

No.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

If there really isn't much of a problem then do we need to do anything?

No.

And Vinny...If I remember correctly you have been here less than six months. I just sorta think that you will change your mind after a little more time. You will find like we G's have, that the only problem at the pools is that some four year olds don't aim well when they are jumping in.

[getdul981]

Russ - 2 or 3 illegal aliens wasn't much of a problem, but do you want things to blossom into a problem?

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

If there really isn't much of a problem then do we need to do anything?

Several folks have already answered this NO and

In my earlier post I said the issue is minimal in the Mallory area pools. To be accurate I have never seen an issue at the Mallory pools when I am there. I need to work on being more precise in my posts......

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

To infer that there is stealing at the pools without any data to back it up is wrong. I would not be in favor of adding pool monitors or off duty police to insure no one steals my towel or for that matter to keep out non residents. No one has come forward to share the number of violations. If there is a problem then it can be addressed.
As another poster has said on an other thread.....what a waste of key strokes and hand wringing.

Please re-read my post. Unless we use different dictionaries I did not infer anything. I expressed concern about the possibility based on my experiences at other community pools where I have lived.

Keystrokes are never wasted as they are a renewable ininite resource .

[wendyquat]

I guess it would be too expensive but looks like TV could install gates similar to gates at village entries at each pool and issue ID cards with chips that would allow access to pools.

[Pats2010]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Please re-read my post. Unless we use different dictionaries I did not infer anything. I expressed concern about the possibility based on my experiences at other community pools where I have lived.

Keystrokes are never wasted unless some reads them.

Wow, wasting keystrokes. How many keystroke are we allowed? :<))