[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by LoisR

The Daily Sun has recently published a series of major articles about how unsafe Forida's roadways are. Over 800 pedestrian deaths were determined last year to be the result of dangerous drivers.
We have to travel periodically to Tampa, and have been doing this for over five years. Yesterday was only the second time we had seen a police car on the roadway. He was parked between the roadways, as cars sped by.
We've never seen one patrolling any of the roads surrounding The Villages or in the The Villages. They're certainly needed here.
Want to stop bad drivers? Get the police on the roadways doing their job.

I have seen a few police cars in The Villages, but I DON'T think there are ENOUGH of them for the combination of high priced items that would be in the average Villager's home and the fact that older retired Villagers would seem to be an easy mark. Also, often the house is vacant in the summer or because Villagers take cruises and travel often.
.........I have had valuable tools taken while away and the Police never were able to recover them.
.........Also, I believe that more people are speeding after Covid than before. The roads were fairly open then and people got used to driving way over any speed limits.

[Happydaz]

The original poster was talking about the Daily Sun article about the very high death rate of pedestrians in Florida. Over 800 pedestrians have been killed this past year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Governors Highway Safety Association show a state by state comparison of all 50 states. They show that in 2023 Florida ranked #2 out of all 50 states in pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. (Only New Mexico was higher) In 2022 Florida was the #4 worst state for pedestrian deaths. (Only New Mexico, Arizona, and Louisiana were higher in 2022) Florida is getting more dangerous every year for pedestrians. The Daily Sun article is right on target. Besides more policing, the state needs to look at ways to make roads safer for people to cross.

[Obrez]

Orlando is one of the leading cities for pedestrian hits snd deaths by vehicles. Reason; city was built first for cars (post WWIi) and not for pedestrians.

[GandyW]

Originally Posted by LoisR

The Daily Sun has recently published a series of major articles about how unsafe Forida's roadways are. Over 800 pedestrian deaths were determined last year to be the result of dangerous drivers.
We have to travel periodically to Tampa, and have been doing this for over five years. Yesterday was only the second time we had seen a police car on the roadway. He was parked between the roadways, as cars sped by.
We've never seen one patrolling any of the roads surrounding The Villages or in the The Villages. They're certainly needed here.
Want to stop bad drivers? Get the police on the roadways doing their job.

Too many pedestrians just walk out wherever they desire which is a big part of the problem. Use crosswalks, pay attention two looking both ways, don’t assume that drivers see you.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Pondboy

I’m sure the police chief would like more officers to patrol….but no one wants to pay more taxes to support his efforts.

I would gladly pay more taxes for better Policing. My house was robbed of about $5,000 in tools. I bet that I am NOT the only one that feels that way. I would rather pay for better roads and Policing rather than pay for all the flowers on the roads and intersections.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

Careful what you wish for. I would envision someday when electronic monitoring of driving maybe mandatory for vehicle insurance instead of more police for traffic. It’s already happening on a voluntary level. We monitor fleet drivers, speed, harsh braking, time over speed, etc.

To me, that is just good social evolution. I liked the idea of speed sensors and cameras on traffic lights. Drones with cameras that could catch speeders and drunk drivers would be great with me.

[MrFlorida]

Funny, I have seen posts here where someone has gotten a ticket, and then complained how over zealous the police were. Now they want more police to give out tickets.... how ironic.

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by Road-Runner

By all means, lets sign away our free will and sign up for a police state. Some people will actually embrace '1984' when it's fully implemented.

It is way closer than you think.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by opinionist

I practice defensive walking when I am out on the street. There are plenty of drivers who don't see, hear, or think well. Maybe they should not be on the road, but try telling them that. If everyone elevated their sense of awareness, the problem would be reduced.

I rarely walk on the street. There are circle tracks made specifically for jogging or walking. Also some have exercise machines available. And there are specific areas to walk dogs. There should be very little need for most people to walk on streets, especially busy ones.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by vinricci

I wonder if local law enforcement is pressured by Developers not to ruin the friendly home town aura by issuing too many citations. If they patrolled Morse and Buena Vista more often their departments would bring in revenue to fund more officers and vehicles and it would keep us all safer from those who do 50 mph in roundabouts.

I second that emotion. And the ideas involved.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

FYI, Defund never meant get rid of, it was a stupid choice of words to describe what they wanted, which was to reallocate some funds to hire mental health and social workers to relieve the police departments and free them to fight crime.

Yes, that idea had some value. And Police don't like to go to domestic disputes.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jimleas

Let me get this right. A newspaper which refuses to print a single article about traffic incidents in the Villages does a major expose of traffic problems in Florida. A bit hypocritical I'd say!

That is a thought that i had right away.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by LoisR

The Daily Sun has recently published a series of major articles about how unsafe Forida's roadways are. Over 800 pedestrian deaths were determined last year to be the result of dangerous drivers.
We have to travel periodically to Tampa, and have been doing this for over five years. Yesterday was only the second time we had seen a police car on the roadway. He was parked between the roadways, as cars sped by.
We've never seen one patrolling any of the roads surrounding The Villages or in the The Villages. They're certainly needed here.
Want to stop bad drivers? Get the police on the roadways doing their job.

Oh I feel so defensive for the police. Overworked and underpaid and certainly underappreciated. They probably have been called out for a shooting...there is a new one every day and usually you can predict it will be a young man who has shot another young man....but they still are called for things like that..........not to mention the folks who get all liquored up or drugged up and beat up on each other...they ring for the law. Then of course there are the folks stealing things that others have worked hard for....they would be danged annoyed if a nice patrolman didn't show up to see what and who done it. I am a bit prejudiced....I am very old and was raised by an officer of the law who had more times then to give out speeding tickets. I will always defend our ladies and gentleman who protect and serve us. Sorry......I understand that your fears are justified but it is more the situation the world is in rather than someone NOT doing their job. I don't know anymore what is wrong with so many people.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Originally Posted by vinricci

I wonder if local law enforcement is pressured by Developers not to ruin the friendly home town aura by issuing too many citations. If they patrolled Morse and Buena Vista more often their departments would bring in revenue to fund more officers and vehicles and it would keep us all safer from those who do 50 mph in roundabouts.

The money from tickets DOES NOT GO TO THE POLICE STATIONS THAT ISSUED THEM.

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by LoisR

The Daily Sun has recently published a series of major articles about how unsafe Forida's roadways are. Over 800 pedestrian deaths were determined last year to be the result of dangerous drivers.
We have to travel periodically to Tampa, and have been doing this for over five years. Yesterday was only the second time we had seen a police car on the roadway. He was parked between the roadways, as cars sped by.
We've never seen one patrolling any of the roads surrounding The Villages or in the The Villages. They're certainly needed here.
Want to stop bad drivers? Get the police on the roadways doing their job.

I see lots of Sherrif's cars in TV all the time.