Mayhem in anyone else's neighborhood?

[SaintLouieWoman]

We thought that we had moved into a nice quiet neighborhood. There are spacious lawns, homes were well tended in May 2010, and a mix of mostly older folks along with a few young families.

I don't know if it's the economy, the disintegration of society or I'm just getting more spooked, but there have been many problems cropping up. Florida has a high rate of foreclosures and short sales. Our development hasn't escaped them. I stupidly accepted being on the board of our HOA. Last year I was treasurer; this year I'm secretary. I'm now more in the loop of what's going on.

I was tasked with writing a notice to go to all 170 homes in the development. There have been a series of break ins or attempted break ins, cars with windows smashed and burglarized, a homelesss camp in land owned by Sarasota County across the street from our development (you can see a little path through the dense underbrush and see people on occasion disappearing into the thicket).

Today I saw cops in the neighborhood again. I'm debating how harsh to write it. I don't want to scare the many ederly folks here, but they have to be more careful. They need to keep their garage doors down. They can't let people in their homes. Last week an elderly couple let 2 guys in their house because it was "cold and windy". Please, it doesn't get that cold here. It turns out that some other neighbor called the cops. 3 squad cars came over. It turns out that 1 of the 2 guys was wanted in 2 states.

Is anyone else having these problems in seemingly good neighborhoods? If so, how do you handle it?

[Rick]

We had 4 burglary's last year and one arson fire. We are a gated community of 180 condo. Unfortunate our HOA is in denial. We did get permission to plant a row of bogndalias along a wall, but had to put up the money our selfs. I do not know what to tell you. We do charge $50 for garage doors left open.

[Chris_]

You can never be too strict when it comes to security.  I don't know how "good" my neighborhood is, but I thought it was nice enough to move in to.  I live on a 4.5-mile residential street between two major thoroughfares.  I've been robbed twice and a neighbor has been beaten bad enough to have the police department and EMS show up to carry him away.  I suppose I should have known this was not a good neighborhood because of the Section 13 housing and barrio at the north end of the road.

I never had a single problem in the five years I lived in my previous neighborhood, despite the noise and traffic.  Maybe it was because I lived on the third floor.  Burglars are ****ing lazy and don't like to climb stairs.

[Evil_Conservative]

I'm not sure how big of a city you live in.  In Las Vegas, things have been getting pretty nasty here.  We have had robberies (in stores and homes) over the past six months.  They seem more frequent now.  Fortunately, the homeowner's and employee's have had (and used) guns in most of these cases.  We do have a lot of gang crime here though.  That makes me nervous.  Who knows when you could find yourself or a loved one in the middle of rival gang disputes.

Our apartment is a quiet community.  I haven't noticed anything different.  It's been almost the same since we moved to this complex in October 2008.  A couple of weeks ago, there were murders just a couple of miles down the road.  Those were considered gang related though.

So... I don't know.  I guess this area is so-so for being such a huge city.

[marv]

Keep porch/yard lights on at night. Downsize the wattage if necessary to save on electric power. If there's still power to any vacant home, put interior lights on timers. See if you can have somebody print up a few hundred (depending on # of homes) window stickers advertising the presence of some intrusion detection product.

Remind HOA folks that FL has a CC law. Remind those closest to the squatters to be especially alert. Remember that a false alarm is better than a 911 call.

Here's a couple of sites with tips...
http://www.crimedoctor.com/home-security.htm
http://homesecurity.lifetips.com/cat/64242/burglary-protection/index.html

[thundley4]

We don't leave outside lights on all the time, but they are on motion sensors and turn on even when cats or dogs pass through.

[SaintLouieWoman]

Thanks everyone for the tips. The problem with our HOA board is they're all talk and never follow up on anything.

I live in Sarasota which has spotty zoning (actually none). There's a small development behind ours that used to have an active HOA, but people lost interest and now there is none. The place has really gone down. I wish that we had used more due diligence and checked things out more thoroughly before we moved here.

In that one little semi-circle of a street with maybe 30 homes, there are quite a few foreclosed, totally abandoned, one with an absentee owner who is in jail for life but somehow pays his taxes and keeps the house. It has grass a couple feet tall, is falling apart. Last week someone broke into one of the empty houses and set a fire. One of the renters of a house there went to the local Wal-Mart, gave a ride supposedly home to a really gullible woman in the Wal-Mart parking lot, went to his home and asked her to wait in his truck til he got something from the house. It was a machete---he took her prisoner in his house for 29 hours. After the multiple rapes she finally escaped on her 3rd try. Needless to say I'm getting really nervous.

The cops here are starting to finally patrol. We need to put more heat on them. I hate to be the squeaky wheel right now, just glad I'm off the pain meds and can start asserting myself more.

[JohnnyReb]

I remember the days when a simple latch on the front screen door was more than enough security....back screen didn't need to be latched. If no one was home it meant "keep the hell out". I wonder what went wrong or changed that? Oh! Now I remember, they allowed you to shoot people for breaking in and stealing your stuff back then. People had property rights and thieves forfeited theirs when they picked up your stuff.

[vesta111]

Thanks everyone for the tips. The problem with our HOA board is they're all talk and never follow up on anything.

I live in Sarasota which has spotty zoning (actually none). There's a small development behind ours that used to have an active HOA, but people lost interest and now there is none. The place has really gone down. I wish that we had used more due diligence and checked things out more thoroughly before we moved here.

In that one little semi-circle of a street with maybe 30 homes, there are quite a few foreclosed, totally abandoned, one with an absentee owner who is in jail for life but somehow pays his taxes and keeps the house. It has grass a couple feet tall, is falling apart. Last week someone broke into one of the empty houses and set a fire. One of the renters of a house there went to the local Wal-Mart, gave a ride supposedly home to a really gullible woman in the Wal-Mart parking lot, went to his home and asked her to wait in his truck til he got something from the house. It was a machete---he took her prisoner in his house for 29 hours. After the multiple rapes she finally escaped on her 3rd try. Needless to say I'm getting really nervous.

The cops here are starting to finally patrol. We need to put more heat on them. I hate to be the squeaky wheel right now, just glad I'm off the pain meds and can start asserting myself more.

Living in a run down housing area when rent was so cheap we could afford to save for a home we were to learn something about security.

First there was a no pet clause in the lease. We could not change our locks without leaving a spair key at the office so we installed a simple dead bolt to the top of the door frame inside. We put nails in the window frames so the windows could not be opened more then 12 inches.

3 weeks after moving in an elderly couple up the road met a fate that caused our cops, seasoned veterans to become ill at the sight.    Someone entered their apartment, hacked them to death and burned down the whole place.

Within 24 hours there was a run on the gun stores, this scared the police more then anything I believe as we have open carry up here. Because the rent was so cheap one can imagine the history's of 3/4 of the tenants, working folk like us roughed it out to move on to our new home , but for the most part the tenants had long rap sheets and had no place else to go.

The police got together with the landlords and in cooperation with the SPCA went on a campain of " forget the gun, get a dog."   Workers came into the neighborhood and started with the elderly and if they were able to care for a dog. If they were, then a pound dog was selected for them according to their  and the dogs needs.

Allot of civil rights were suspended, anyone wanting a dog had to be checked out, no Pit Bulls or Rotties, Dobs or the like.     Only Adult dogs to be adopted and the largest dogs allowed were the rescued Grayhounds.

We got a 5 pound taco bell dog that thought he was a Great Dane, 2 years old and one nasty cuss to strangers. It took us a few weeks before the dog would come near us, he hated everyone.   We totally ignored him, kept his water and food full, we could not walk the hellion as we could not get near him to put a leash on him.

That little SOB dog soon was at the door waiting for us to come home from work and began to follow us about the apartment to watch what we were doing.   Patience was the word, a few months went by before we could have company, but, as part of the SPCA and volunteer vets in the area we had free health care for 18 months, as did everyone who adopted.

This plan worked for us, yes we kept our guns but in the middle of the night the dogs sharp ears would cause a ruckus if anyone were outside.  For the next 18 months or so the crime rate fell to the bottom, only police calls were domestic problems or the occasional drug raid.

I hear of false security however with some quick thinking Police and the SPCA and their trained staff of matching people to their [ in a way service dogs ] did much more to insure confidence in their lives then buying a gun they had no idea how to load, clean or fire.   

We never caught the killer but if they had come back to prey on seniors they were in for a shock, not only did the seniors own guns and know how to use them, thanks to free training but there was some nasty ankle biters ready to defend their pack.   

[SaintLouieWoman]

A man who was the head of a large security company in St Louis that at one time provided security for the Famous-Barr stores (later to become Macy's) did not have the alarm system in his own house. He said the best deterrent to break ins was a dog. He always had a German shepherd.''

Just read a story on the net of a 78 year old woman found murdered in her garage in Lakewood Ranch, an upscale community north of us. It seems she was a homeless advocate and worked at a local shelter. They said there was no sign of forced entry and will not release details at this time. I suspect she was a good Samaritan trying to help and paid the price. Who knows?

[vesta111]

A man who was the head of a large security company in St Louis that at one time provided security for the Famous-Barr stores (later to become Macy's) did not have the alarm system in his own house. He said the best deterrent to break ins was a dog. He always had a German shepherd.''

Just read a story on the net of a 78 year old woman found murdered in her garage in Lakewood Ranch, an upscale community north of us. It seems she was a homeless advocate and worked at a local shelter. They said there was no sign of forced entry and will not release details at this time. I suspect she was a good Samaritan trying to help and paid the price. Who knows?

Would this woman been alive if she was armed at all times, could she have gotten to her arm in time to fend off attackers???

Would a dog have been a better choice, allways at her side and a problem for the creeps to get around?

Creepy crawlers are looking for those that they can get to with no problem.   They shy about those with dogs, they know a weapon in the bedside table is useless if the target is in the garage-----but if they have a dog following the targets footsteps , or riding in their car,  forget trying to hijack that car.

Bianca's who the Manson family tortured and killed, had they instead of having their little dogs had just one  Mastiff would be alive today.

Creepy crawlers are cowards, put a Rottie in their face and they run away.

All dogs are in fact pact animals and working for the pact.  We humans that are fortunate enough to have a dog are their family.   They no matter what their size will give their life for us.   

God sent the dog to give man a gift they seldom get from other humans, total devotion and no questions asked.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Just read a story on the net of a 78 year old woman found murdered in her garage in Lakewood Ranch, an upscale community north of us. It seems she was a homeless advocate and worked at a local shelter. They said there was no sign of forced entry and will not release details at this time. I suspect she was a good Samaritan trying to help and paid the price. Who knows?

Sounds like it; it's a bad idea to feed feral animals.  Too bad for her, but better for her neighbors that she won't be doing that anymore.

As far as gated communities go, if dirbags can walk in from adjacent shitholes, the gate doesn't mean much, except I suppose to cut down on drive-by shootings.  Ideally you'd have something like 8' razorwire, perhaps painted a tasteful green, around the rest of the perimeter. 

[LC EFA]

This neighbourhood was great for nearly 30 years.

Then the government got a whole shitpile of "stimulus" money - and decided that as housing prices were in a slump it was an ideal time to redistribute the ghetto out to the 'burbs. They bought the duplex right next door.

Prior to that I could happily go away for a weekend , leave all the windows and front door gaping open and the worst that would happen is one of the other residents in the street would close the front door for me.

The first batch of "people" they moved into that place - both sides of the duplex - were utter animals and the police were in regular attendance for the 12 months it took us to force the government department in question to "offer them another house". Note that they were relocated and not removed from the housing program.

This batch of people - I honestly can't complain about. They don't mingle with the rest of the street but they also don't have the police out every second night for noise / DV or other petty crime complaints.  Of course good fences (and security mesh , cameras , lights and locks) make for good neighbours.

[Eupher]

yeah, LC, but it's a rotten damned shame that you had to go to the expense of all that security gear for the privilege of bending over and having the government stick some people up your ass.

[longview]

I live in an area that some would consider remote.  I don't lock my doors when I leave because anyone wanting in would just break things that I would have to repair and no one would ever see or hear.  But when I am home I lock up.  Won't keep the bad guys out, but will slow them down a bit.

We have no guarded walls where I live.  Every stranger and some of the locals are suspect.  I am friendly without letting my guard down or putting myself, family or friends in danger.

[Airwolf]

I live in a small town. We don't have that kind of thing going on here. However I have to work in Omaha and they have had five shootings in two days. Two of those shootings were done while the victim was sitting in their car and one is still in the hospital in critical condition. After that little thing i had to deal with at work last February I got a new .45 ACP and a new US Palm Vest to wear at work. I figure that between the vest and seven full magazines they can come at me all they want because it's not going to be easy.

[SarasotaRepub]

I have one of these on order...



And the firepower to back it up...

[DefiantSix]

I have one of these on order...



And the firepower to back it up...

While I appreciate the sentiments, I refuse to warn/advertise to any of my potential opponents:  not the 19-year old shitheads with the sagging britches, and sure as hell not the ****in' bureaucrats in the pinstripe suits. 

[IassaFTots]

While I appreciate the sentiments, I refuse to warn/advertise to any of my potential opponents:  not the 19-year old shitheads with the sagging britches, and sure as hell not the ****in' bureaucrats in the pinstripe suits. 

Yup.  Especially if I am not home.  No one needs to know what I may or may not have in my house.  I have home security alarm signs, and live in between Gladys Kravitz, and her sister.  Across the street from the cousin.  We are an oasis of urban blight.  When they leave their homes, I anticipate I will need to be more concerned about  new neighbors, but not at the moment.  The middle school at the top of my street has a gang unit on site.  We don't have an HOA, but our neighborhood association has our local crime unit out to speak to us regularly.  We get certified pepper spray from the PD on discount.   

[SaintLouieWoman]

This neighbourhood was great for nearly 30 years.

Then the government got a whole shitpile of "stimulus" money - and decided that as housing prices were in a slump it was an ideal time to redistribute the ghetto out to the 'burbs. They bought the duplex right next door.

Prior to that I could happily go away for a weekend , leave all the windows and front door gaping open and the worst that would happen is one of the other residents in the street would close the front door for me.

The first batch of "people" they moved into that place - both sides of the duplex - were utter animals and the police were in regular attendance for the 12 months it took us to force the government department in question to "offer them another house". Note that they were relocated and not removed from the housing program.

This batch of people - I honestly can't complain about. They don't mingle with the rest of the street but they also don't have the police out every second night for noise / DV or other petty crime complaints.  Of course good fences (and security mesh , cameras , lights and locks) make for good neighbours.

I think the lovely "Sarasota government is responsible for our current mess. The people in the big condos down by the water (Sarasota Bay) didn't want the homeless and vagrants near them. They raised all kinds of hell, even had the benches taken out of the little parks in the area, so the homeless would have no place to sit. Our lovely government then put in restrooms and sinks in a forest preserve area near us. The "folks" are cutting through our development, following an easement/ditch from their camp on one side of our development to the bathrooms and running water on the other side. The folks with the multi-million dollar condos wanted the homeless out. In their venevolence, they even gave them bicycles for transportation, so they could get out to the burbs, away from their lovely city living by the water. 

I'm organizing some of the women in the neighborhood to get after the cops and to find someone politically strong in the neighborhood to help us clean up this situation.

[longview]

I'm organizing some of the women in the neighborhood to get after the cops and to find someone politically strong in the neighborhood to help us clean up this situation.

Good for you.  As a little kid in Detroit, it was the moms and retired couples that ran drug dealers out of our neighborhoods.  Pestering the police and city council was one way.  Going out and blowing their car horns every time they suspected a dealer coming through was another.  As their kids became more affluent and moved to the 'burbs, there was eventually no one left to object in our area.  Most were immigrants and tougher than nails.  No intention of giving in to hippies, druggies, and thugs.

[SaintLouieWoman]

Good for you.  As a little kid in Detroit, it was the moms and retired couples that ran drug dealers out of our neighborhoods.  Pestering the police and city council was one way.  Going out and blowing their car horns every time they suspected a dealer coming through was another.  As their kids became more affluent and moved to the 'burbs, there was eventually no one left to object in our area.  Most were immigrants and tougher than nails.  No intention of giving in to hippies, druggies, and thugs.

The retirees here are tough. Many of the men are retired marines who don't take much from anyone. You can tell by their super neat lawns and well tended houses. I'm tryhing to get some of those marines on a committee, if the HOA board ever gets off their duff. I'm on the board and wrote the darned warning flyer myself, sent it to the president of the HOA, got his approval and sent it to the newsletter editor to get it run off.

I'm tired of everyone doing nothing. I don't want all the equity in the house that I worked a lifetime for going down the drain and hate to let anyone intimidate me.

My next task is to figure out what to do with the physical therapist who messed up my knee (did lots of soft tissue damage through his negligence). I don't want to sue, but don't want to be stuck private paying for more PT to get my leg back closers to normal once the insurance runs out. I'm debating which would be the best action plan.

[SarasotaRepub]

While I appreciate the sentiments, I refuse to warn/advertise to any of my potential opponents:  not the 19-year old shitheads with the sagging britches, and sure as hell not the ****in' bureaucrats in the pinstripe suits. 

I hear ya but "deterence" requires the scum know that we are armed and it might be a better idea to toddle down the road rather than see if we are home.

I got the sign today and I'll put it up in the morning. Already have at least 2 people interested in getting one. 

[DefiantSix]

I hear ya but "deterence" requires the scum know that we are armed and it might be a better idea to toddle down the road rather than see if we are home.

I got the sign today and I'll put it up in the morning. Already have at least 2 people interested in getting one. 

I guarantee, the first two or three get carted away from your door in body bags, word'll get around real quick that they take their life into their hands trying to enter without knockin' first.  Best deterrent there could be.

But yeah, I understand what you're sayin'...