Community Watch will be called on to supplement ID checks at pools in The Villages.

The Project Wide Advisory Committee on Monday agreed to call in Community Watch to assist with ID checks at pools south of County Road 466.

PWAC members made the decision to enlist the help of Community Watch after hearing the results of a study conducted in November and December at four pools, Winifred Tamarind Grove, DeLuna and St. Catherine. During the study, Recreation Department staffers found minimal compliance issues. However, residents continue to insist that “outsiders” are dipping into pools in The Villages, and believe the problem will worsen with the proliferation of apartment buildings and developments that brazenly advertise access to amenities in The Villages.

Recreation Director John Rohan admitted that there is a perception that outsiders are using the pools in The Villages, but he adamantly stood by the data in the recent study as well as data from previous studies. That data has consistently shown little to no use of the pools by non-residents, Rohan said.

“The vast majority of the violators are residents who do not have their ID. They knew their number or had it on their phone,” Rohan said.

Those people are not told to leave, but the incident is recorded and the violator receives a letter reminding them that they must be prepared to show an ID when using amenities. Should the non-compliance continue, the Recreation Department enforces a policy of three strikes and you’re out.

“Our approach is educate, educate, enforce,” Rohan said.

He added that The Villages is a welcoming community and it is understood that Villagers occasionally have a “senior moment” and forget their ID, leaving it in a golf bag, at home or in a car.

Moving forward, Community Watch will be used to supplement ID checks at pools, an option that PWAC members favored over costlier alternatives, including increased pool staffing and installation of gate access readers.

The Amenity Authority Committee will be considering the same options during a meeting later this week. The AAC oversees pools north of County Road 466.

Do you agree with the idea of tapping Community Watch for ID checks? Share your thoughts at [email protected]