Crime in SW Fl - Ft Myers, Cape Coral . . .

[LeavingFlorida05]

The problem with Florida is that the crime has no boundaries. I grew up in St. Louis. It's a segregated city (not racially, financially), compared to Florida. In Fort Myers, you could live in a $600,000 house and have crack addicts living 2 blocks away. In St. Louis, the crack houses were a good 30 minute drive from my house.

My parents own a house in a "nice" part of Fort Myers called Gateway. Yes, the same Gateway where that couple was murdered, though, I'm not worried about that type of crime, it wasn't random. Anyway, during part of the holiday season of 2003, my dad (he was 48 at the time) was home alone, while the rest of the family was in St. Louis where we were going to celebrate Christmas. A latino laborer broke into my parents' house, while my dad was home. The ended up fighting in the front yard, where the illegal immigrant broke my dad's face, just below his eye socket. Another few inches to the side and my dad would have been killed.

It turns out, this laborer worked for WCI communities, the developer building all the homes in the area. He also had accomplices who were scoping out the houses. After the fight in the front yard, my dad saw the accomplices take off in their van. These men were robbing houses in an upper-middle class neighborhood, but had no problem hurting whoever got in their way.

The worst part of it all is, my dad identified the perp, but the Lee county police did nothing. I can only assume WCI pulled some strings, so they couldn't be found liable for employing illegal immigrant felons who are preying on their customers.

Lee county safe? Not by a long shot.

I can tell you this much, I would have killed that bastard had I been in my dad's shoes, and I would have kicked his corpse until the police showed up.

[hiknapster]

It's true. The crack addicts could actually live next door and the Lee County police department is a joke.

[FedUpInFtMyers]

Leaving: First of all, let me say how sorry I am to hear about what happened to your dad. Your story is still another case in point why illegal immigrants are looked upon with fear and not welcomed. Illegals contribute largely to the crime rate here, I believe, and they are destroying the quality of life in Florida, among other places. Your post raises some great points. Also nice of builders to not only provide jobs to the illegals but to also provide them with the tools to break into someone's home and/or enter with keys to future owners' homes as well. Think about it. Any one of the building contractors down here have keys to the new homes they are building, and owners move in and do not think to change the locks. Why would anyone change locks on a new home? Well, the answer to the "why" of this would be: If you live in Lee County where scumbags and illegals could be employed to do jobs that only respectable individuals should do, then you'd better change the locks - just to be on the safe side. Sad. Not saying that is what happened to your dad. You said they broke in.

Concerning segregation (as far as rough neighborhoods go), that is what is so freaking scary about living here . . . no segregation of good and bad - as it was up north or any other place I've ever lived for that matter. Sure, criminals can be anywhere and go anywhere; however, it just seems more like the "crossover" here is too often to consider any area "nice" or "safe".

Being here is more about survival, an existence or coping rather than just living life. It is very tiring. I don't live in fear, but I am sick and tired of looking over my shoulder and watching my back. I don't run outdoors anymore, and I don't wear jewelry when I'm going to be out anywhere, even if only to the grocery store. Having common sense is one thing, but this is getting absolutely ridiculous.

Hiknapster: You know, I do have to wonder what law enforcement is doing here in Lee County. Are their hands tied by the higher-ups, or are they just so slammed with all the crime that we never hear about down here. (That is a scary thought, given all that we do hear about . . .) Perhaps Lee County needs help from other agencies? It sure would be nice if each area police department could take even a day or two a month to do nothing but bust and deport illegals here. That would be a good start. I wish that they would do neighborhood sweeps. Oh . . . almost forgot the last option of explaining why Lee County law enforcement doesn't seem to be making even so much as a dent in crime: laziness and / or poor work ethic like so many other people down here?

Take care all.

[hiknapster]

This is my take on Lee County cops:

At one time it was exposed by the media that the department was offering fishing trips and other perks for the amount of traffic tickets written by cops.

I met a cop that told me the cops were on the take in Pine Manor. I don't know how true that was, but I find it odd that it seemed that Lee County looked the other way until Fort Myers cops took over the Dunbar area and suddenly they were setting up roadblocks right in front of drug houses. Why didn't Lee County do that? And why don't they do that now in Pine Manor?

It seems that there may be corruption coupled with the easy revenue? I'm not sure but I always wondered.

[NYBill]

I have been holding my tounge on this for a while. Seems both of you have a bone to pick with Cape Coral.

If it's so bad just pack your bags and leave.
I said it in the the other thread and you just started bashing things again on another new thread.

Firmed, most of this crime is related to FT MYERS Gangs that planted 2 bodies in Cape Coral so if your gonna tell a story make sure you tell the whole story. For someone who made money off the city you should bite your tongue and take the profits you made and take a hike.

Gangs are not tolerated in schools and as a matter of fact the school has a zero tolerance rule not only against gangs, but fighting, bullying, weapons, drugs etc. One and done, then they send the child to a school with piers of there kind.

Get a gripe on life and how things work. You forgot to mention with the popuatiuon explosion how Cape Coral is adding 48 more Police Officers, Ft Myers PD and Sheriffs office are also on a hiring campaign, Why becauce of all the people who have moved here in the last few years. Growth demands more services

You mention grow houses, which are rentals. Want results go after the person who rents them out to Jose A and Jose B. Maybe if they looked into the background of a potential renter and make sure they are hardworking people with porper ID and references rather then just stuiff there own wallet we all would be better off. So who ever just bought the home in the Yacht Club area just if you rent it make sure it's to the right people.

[mbmouse]

Yet another Fl forum thread that has been reduced to arguing over personal opinions, bashing and contradictions of personal perceptions of an area.
Time for it to be closed.