"Lots of drugs" in Englewood? (Tampa, Lakeland: sex offenders, violent crime)

[MrTudo]

We were at the post office a little while ago and spoke with someone who asked us when we are moving and where. I told her we were "looking" at Englewood. I then asked her "have you heard anything bad about Englewood"?

I didn't expect the reply we got. Her face scrunched up and she exclaimed " a lot of drugs in englewood". I said, Really? She said that's what I've heard. Then the face again, then "are you really interested in moving there?"

A professional who posts here, I am not naming names because I don't know if that person would want me to say anything, told me that about Englewood months ago. I let it go in one ear and out the other ( Sorry ). Now I hear it from someone else here in Port Charlotte.

Ya know , I am definitely not a negative person. My Wife and I have built a very successful business from nothing and I happen to be a pretty well known person in my profession . I loathe the type of negative postings made by some people about this part of the country and wish them all a Bon Voyage when they go back to wherever it is they came from. Really. But this is not good news and makes me want to ask, what's the story about Englewood and this negative news? Help!


P.S. We lived on an island in SE Asia years ago. We had the most incredible view of the Gulf of Thailand. Truly spectacular. There was another island off the coast of that island that was known around the world as a place where the kids went for "full moon" parties and apparenty there were lots of drugs there despite how serious of a charge drugs are in Thailand. I never saw anything and thought the people who talked about this were mad. Until one night we ran out of milk and I ventured out, late at night to find a place that might be open and I did find one open. There were jeeps parked all around it and when I got out I was approached by a wild eyed 20 something asking/begging for money. No, he wasn't Thai. I dismissed him and went about my business. Walked into the store and there were at least 5 more people all wild eyed. I bought what I went for, and left. I say this because I don't look for this kind of thing and usually don't care. But now I'm told this about a place where we are planning to buy, by two people now and I have to at least ask the question. Thank you

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

We were at the post office a little while ago and spoke with someone who asked us when we are moving and where. I told her we were "looking" at Englewood. I then asked her "have you heard anything bad about Englewood"?

I didn't expect the reply we got. Her face scrunched up and she exclaimed " a lot of drugs in englewood". I said, Really? She said that's what I've heard. Then the face again, then "are you really interested in moving there?"

A professional who posts here, I am not naming names because I don't know if that person would want me to say anything, told me that about Englewood months ago. I let it go in one ear and out the other ( Sorry ). Now I hear it from someone else here in Port Charlotte.

Ya know , I am definitely not a negative person. My Wife and I have built a very successful business from nothing and I happen to be a pretty well known person in my profession . I loathe the type of negative postings made by some people about this part of the country and wish them all a Bon Voyage when they go back to wherever it is they came from. Really. But this is not good news and makes me want to ask, what's the story about Englewood and this negative news? Help!


P.S. We lived on an island in SE Asia years ago. We had the most incredible view of the Gulf of Thailand. Truly spectacular. There was another island off the coast of that island that was known around the world as a place where the kids went for "full moon" parties and apparenty there were lots of drugs there despite how serious of a charge drugs are in Thailand. I never saw anything and thought the people who talked about this were mad. Until one night we ran out of milk and I ventured out, late at night to find a place that might be open and I did find one open. There were jeeps parked all around it and when I got out I was approached by a wild eyed 20 something asking/begging for money. No, he wasn't Thai. I dismissed him and went about my business. Walked into the store and there were at least 5 more people all wild eyed. I bought what I went for, and left. I say this because I don't look for this kind of thing and usually don't care. But now I'm told this about a place where we are planning to buy, by two people now and I have to at least ask the question. Thank you

MrTudo, I don't really know that answer about Englewood, but let me just say this. Everywhere I have lived in the last decade which includes Dade City, Sarasota/Bradenton, Lakeland and Tampa, there has always been talk of "drugs" and "crime" in these various towns. I just think these issues are everywhere these days, and you can't let the fear of it run your life. I doubt that little old Englewood is any worse than anywhere else. Bottom line, people have to be vigilant these days, keep your car locked, your house locked and probably best not to be out late at night if you can help it, or at least not in an isolated place. Also, people will repeat what they have heard whether they have experienced it or not. You may not ever experience a thing.

If you really want to live in Englewood (or anywhere else) I wouldn't let this deter you unless you find out something bad about the specific neighborhood that you plan to move to.

Hope this helps.

[mikey2]

I treat adolescent boys who have substance abuse problems, and yes some of them from Englewood have emphasized that the community does have a significant problem.

However, like gypsychic just said, there really isn't any community that doesn't have a problem to one degree or another.
Cities, clearly are worse than rural areas like Englewood.... and it wouldn't stop me from moving there if I wanted to.

Basically, the fewer and fewer jobs and career opportunities that there are in this country... the more opportunities there will be for crime and drugs.

Sad commentary.

Mikey

[MrTudo]

Thanks, I called a customer of mine who is a private investigator, ex law enforcement, ex special forces. Neat guy. He told me to call Sarasota Sheriffs and ask for a certain department to get a demographic report. Said that I should have no problem obtaining that.

Also told me that I should mention this concern to the realtors and ask them to provide information.

I am not concerned about drugs in general. I personally couldn't care less. What does concern me is if an area is "known" for trouble. Gypsy Chick you mentioned getting out of a contract. Unless a realtor would correct me on this, I do not see any problem with doing that if I wanted to get out of a contract. What would they do? Sue me? I have lawyers too. That's not an issue. I do not want to get out of any contract. However this is not West Boca Raton. I'm not familiar here and when I hear two different people make these statements, and by the way its not from the anonymous Fla haters on a message board, ( no offence meant to 99% of the posters ), I have to take notice and see if there's validity in the statement. So my question becomes, is this some kids ( or not kids ) busted for pot in the neighborhood or is the area known for meth labs etc.

If it's the latter, then we're out. If it's the former, who cares?

Here in Port Charlotte we have our front door open almost all the time when we are home. Bes not come in unannounced. And while we feel reasonably certain we could handle anyone who might think of doing so, we don't have any fear of anything like that happening here. There are parts of Port Charlotte however that I would certainly not feel so comfortable. But we don't live there . Had we not heard this kind of a report from a government employee as well as a person who apparently grew up in the area, I would not pay any attention to it.

So Monday I will call Sarasota and see if I can get information from law enforcement. But if anyone knows anything about the zip code 34223, please render an opinion if it's based on personal knowledge that goes beyond what an anonymous poster may or may have not made on a message board somewhere. I thank you

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by mikey2

Basically, the fewer and fewer jobs and career opportunities that there are in this country... the more opportunities there will be for crime and drugs.

Sad commentary.

Mikey

Thanks Mikey. The economics part is an excuse not a reason. Especially on the issue of crime.

[imagardener]

Before we bought here, and we are in the Charlotte Co. part of Englewood, I did a couple of things: checked out where and how many sex offenders were near our potential residence and I called the community liason person at the police department.

I was more concerned with sex offenders than drugs and it put us off a property in the Bradenton area (a young violent offender lived too close).

After living here a year I have no concerns. Reading the daily police blotter tells me drugs are here, like any other location. I care most about DUI, whatever the substance.
I've heard/read nothing about meth labs but anything is possible. Given the unemployment rate in CC I'd guess beer would be the substance of low cost choice.

I think the age of Englewood (old, older and ancient) colors their perception of how prevalent drugs are, especially since they read the same police blotter. Their generation thinks DUI for alcohol is more acceptable than DUI pills, etc. I disagree.

Very few violent crimes here, probably due to the age of population.

But do we leave our front door unlocked...no. Didn't do that in Naples either.