Village of Duval residents are worried about wall jumpers intruding in their neighborhood.
Residents who live behind Sumter Grand independent living on County Road 466A detailed their concerns Thursday morning before the Community Development District 7 Board of Supervisors.
A wall separating the facility from the neighborhood once stood six feet tall. But due to construction, grading and movement of dirt, the wall is now as low as three feet in some places, the residents claimed.
“I am 70 years of age. I could get over that wall with the greatest of ease,” said Village of Duval resident Robert Ihrig said.
Residents are worried about who is coming over the wall.
“I witnessed a man in plain clothing literally vault over the wall into my yard with great ease. He walked behind my neighbor’s house. I have no idea his destination. I observed no one with him working in the area as he quickly came over the wall,” said Jan Ihrig.
They cited incidents in which criminals have been chased into their neighborhood, including a 2015 manhunt which prompted a reverse 911 call from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office warning residents to stay indoors. A helicopter and K-9 were part of the manhunt.
“I will not let this rest. Our safety is at stake. We’ve all seen the rise of crime in The Villages,” Jan Ihrig said.
District Manager Janet Tutt reminded the Duval residents that people can’t be prevented from entering The Villages.
“We are not a gated community, so of course they can come in. But they cannot come on private property,” she said.
As she told a group of residents the day before describing a similar situation elsewhere in The Villages, law enforcement should be contacted if a suspicious person is spotted.
Tutt also suggested neighbors write a letter to Sumter Grand and explain their concerns.
“They may not be aware of your concerns about safety,” Tutt said.
She also suggested Community Watch could step up patrols in the area.
