THE VILLAGES, Fla. – It’s not often that I make my way up to Sumter County, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is that the residents of The Villages care deeply about traffic safety and have a lot to say about it.
In fact, some of the kindest messages I receive come from folks who call this unique community home.
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So instead of sitting in the truck and talking at you about golf cart safety, I figured we’d do something a little different.
Why not hear directly from someone who lives it every single day?
That brought me to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, where I had the opportunity to spend some time with Captain Siemer. What I didn’t expect was that he already had our transportation ready to go.
Forget the patrol car, we hopped into one of the Sheriff’s Office’s marked golf carts, and he gave me a firsthand look at life in The Villages.
I have to admit, I was a little jealous.
Captain Siemer has spent more than a decade serving this area, and he explained just how unique policing can be within this community. For many residents, golf carts aren’t just a fun way to get around, they’re their primary mode of transportation. In fact, there are people who live in The Villages who don’t even own a traditional vehicle.
As we cruised through the neighborhoods and pathways on a beautiful Florida day, we talked about the community, what makes it special, and some of the common-sense safety reminders that help keep everyone moving safely. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a car or the seat of a golf cart, staying alert, knowing the basics and looking out for one another goes a long way.
More than anything, this ride reminded me that traffic safety isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every community has its own rhythm and in The Villages, that rhythm just happens to include a lot more golf carts.
I learned a little more about Captain Siemer, gained a greater appreciation for the people who call this place home and got a behind-the-scenes look at a patrol assignment that’s unlike almost any other in Florida.
I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did.
And if you see me grinning from ear to ear while cruising around in a marked golf cart… just know I may have been checking to see if they had any openings.