ROADWORK on Lake Mary Jane Rd - The County said it was just time to mill & pave the road. Feb 17 - March 2nd. Please be careful driving when roadwork is going on and expect some delays in traffic.

PEDESTRIAN HIT BY A CAR IN ISLE OF PINES Last week on Sunday Feb 9th, two ladies were out walking in bright pink shirts along Lake Mary Jane Rd near Roxanne. There was a 17 yr old girl driving from another community who was at the very end of LMJ Rd by Frezno looking for her friends house. The girl was on her phone/GPS and didn't even see the ladies walking when she hit one of them. She was driving about 20 mph when she hit one of them and luckily the person who got hit was not injured too badly. 

PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR PHONES WHILE DRIVING!

The very next morning someone reported seeing a black jeep pass a school bus that was stopped with the school bus lights flashing and the stop sign out. I also saw a young man on a motorcycle drive right past a school bus that was stopped picking up children on the corner of LMJ Rd and Capri.

ALL TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS MUST STOP WHEN A SCHOOL BUS IS STOPPED!

LMJ Neighborhood Watch Repeat Theft of large items in IOP & several incidents of items stolen out of unlocked cars in IOP. THEFT OF LARGE ITEMS In the beginning of January a large well pump was stolen from a property on Lacebark Pine Rd.  Then on Jan 26 the theives returned and broke into  a trailer and stole multiple items. Items stolen included: HONDA GENERATOR RED 10K HONDA GENERATOR 3000 IS ON WHEELS MILLER BOBCAT 225 NT WELDER BLUE ON CART HUSQVARNA 455 RANCHER CHAIN SAW RIGID HEAVY DUTY ELECTRICAL CORD FLO TEC 2 HP SPRINKLER PUMP  We have a description of the two people.  One  young man is about 6 foot tall and the other may be a teen and was about 5'6 or 5'7.  The foot prints matched the ones coming out of the woods on a trail from the road Sheba, and also at  the turned over portalet on Lacebark &  all three places matched the ones on  the property. They cut the locks with a bolt cutter and cut the fence too  - which is dangerous since there are cows and goats on this property.  The thought is that these are people that live out here and know the neighborhood and the woods. THE HOPE IS THAT THEY WILL RETURN THE ITEMS  BEFORE THE POLICE GET THEM.  THE OWNER WILL NOT PRESS CHARGES IF RETURNED !!!!!!!  A REWARD IS OFFERED IF PROSECUTED CALL 407 277 0228 Theft of items in 2 unlocked cars A neighbor on Nell sent this:  Sometime on Friday night (Jan 18th) between 9:30pm and 7am both of our vehicles had been broken into, my husband discovered it as he was leaving for work in the morning. They were both unlocked so there was no  damage to the vehicles. From what we have noticed they took 3 packs of cigarettes and Oakley sunglasses out of my husband’s car. Out of my car they took 2 packs of cigarettes and lotto scratch off’s. Based off the items taken and the fact that my keys were actually in the car we are pretty sure it was kids since my car wasn’t stolen and my husband’s check book wasn’t taken. PLEASE LOCK YOUR CARS AND DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES INSIDE!! Keep your eyes open and call the non-emergency number if you see suspicious behavior.  407-836-HELP(4357)

Our mailing address is:  Lake Mary Jane Alliance/ Isle of Pines / Neighborhood Watch 13306 Lake Mary Jane Road, Orlando, FL Orlando, FL 32832

Join us for  “LIGHT UP THE LAKE” Boat Parade on Friday Dec. 20^thstarting at 6:30pm on Lake Mary Jane   (Line up by 6:15 at the south end of the lake)
We have some prizes and goodies to give out at 6:15!  ALL PARTICIPATING BOATS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A FREE PASS TO ENTER THE PARK FOR THE “LIGHT UP THE WILD” Holiday Light DRIVE!  (Pass valid 6pm – 9pm  Fri, Sun or Mon)
 
Join in the Parade:
Don’t have a lot of lights or time to decorate?  No Worries – come out and join in the parade anyway.  

 The more boats the better!  For those of you with lots of decorations – we will have prizes for Best In Show, Best Holiday Theme, Brightest Boat, and Most Creative.  We will also have prizes for Redneck Riviera and Charlie Brown (for the simplest boat!)  That’s right – light up your boat with flashlights and glow sticks!  Go Wild and join in the fun!

Meet us at the south end of Lake Mary Jane by 6:15  (farthest from Moss Park)  for prizes & line up.

The parade will start promptly at 6:30 and should take about 1 hr. We will stay close to the shoreline by the docks so residents can enjoy the lights.  We will cruise through the Isle of Pines, Lake Mary Jane Shores, and then past the Moss Park Beach where it can be viewed by the people attending the “Light Up the Wild” event.  
 
What is “Light Up the Wild”?

Moss Park is holding their 1^st annual event with a holiday display of lights to drive through!  The drive is offered nightly from 6-every night from Thurs Dec 19^th – Monday Dec 23^rd.  Cost is regular admission fee of $5 per car.  It’s truly an incredible display of lights!!

WILD SANTA SATURDAY
There is also a huge “Wild Santa Surprise" on Dec 21^st including: Free sledding on a snow hill, Giant airboat rides by Wild Florida Airboat (for a nominal fee), Free photos holding a baby alligator (bring your camera), Santa’s Market featuring vendors, crafts, & last minute shopping for stocking stuffers, hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting (for a nominal fee to benefit the local Boy Scouts) and much more.  Santa Arrives in the fire truck and you can visit him at Granny’s Gingerbread House afterwards!  Then there is a 5K run/walk through the lights – and the holiday drive will start again that night.
 
For more info on “Light Up the Wild” and actual times of events, or to sign up for the 5K run, go to www.ocfl.net/lightupthewild
 
Hope you and your families can enjoy this WILD holiday event in our community!

Suzanne Arnold

Hello LMJ Neighborhood Watch Members

Just a heads up that the Isle of Pines Neighborhood Garage Sale is this Friday and Saturday from 8-4pm, so we will have a lot of outside traffic driving through the neighborhood.  Please make sure that you don’t leave valuables in unlocked cars, and don’t leave items in your front yard that someone may think is for the garage sale – or leftover from the garage sale.  We haven’t had any problems in the past years – but always a good idea to keep a watchful eye and don’t leave out valuables.

Also – many of you have been asking about the LIGHT UP THE WILD sign at Moss Park.  (and some of you were worried about the airboats)  I’m helping to coordinate the Boat Parade - so here’s the scoop:



Orange County Parks & Recreation is hosting their first annual Holiday Event here at Moss Park – called

LIGHT UP THE WILD!

Thurs Dec. 19^th through Monday Dec. 23^rd
Nightly Drive through Holiday Lights & Displays from 6pm – 9pm 

Just $5 per car (the normal entrance fee!)

PLUS these extras:

Friday Dec 20^th  - Boat Parade from 6:30 – 7:30pm

Light Up the Lake Boat Parade is put on by our own LMJ Friends and Neighbors in the surrounding communities, so join in the fun! 

(Free to be in the parade!  Go online to get details and sign up.)

Parade will start at the south end of the lake cruising past the Isle of Pines, Lake Mary Jane Shores, and then past Moss Park around 7pm.

Saturday Dec 21^st – Wild Santa Saturday 

starting at 1pm with Wild Florida Airboat Rides 
plus a 5K Family Fun Run through the Holiday Lights at 5:30pm

(The Run will be INSIDE Moss Park and will NOT impact traffic on LMJ Rd.)
Plus MUCH more to make it a WILD day:

See live alligators and climb aboard Santa’s airboat sleigh for a family photo op.  You don’t want to miss the food trucks, kid’s games, live entertainment, and spending a special evening with Santa, cocoa, campfires, and holiday marshmallows.  Take advantage of unique last minute gifts and stocking stuffers too.

Take a break from the shopping malls and make a new family tradition at Moss Park’s LIGHT UP THE WILD!

For more details on how to join the boat parade, register for the run, be a sponsor or a volunteer, to have a local group perform, or to have your club participate in this event, go towww.lightupthewild.eventbrite.com    or email  lightupthewild@gmail.com


Suzanne Arnold
LMJ Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

Hello Neighborhood Watch Residents,

  CAR Burglary & Break In – several incidents

 Late Sunday Night (early Monday morning) there were several incidents of someone stealing items from cars in the Isle of Pines. At one house on Capri they got into an unlocked car and stole a small pocketbook with $40 cash and id’s. They pocketbook was not in view. There was a credit card in the car that was separate from the wallet that was also stolen and it was used twice at Wal-Mart around 3am and again after 5am! We are hoping to get surveillance pictures. They also broke in the side window of their truck but there were no items to take inside.

 There was another car on Flo Rd that was unlocked and someone had clearly gone through the car – but there were no valuables. These incidents are very similar to the rash of car burglaries we had a few years back. I would be very surprised if these are the only 2 incidents. PLEASE check your cars today so see if someone when through your car.

 If someone went through your car, but you are not missing anything – please still report the incident by either going online to http://www.ocso.com/Fileapolicereport/tabid/126/Default.aspx or calling nonemergency at 407-836-HELP.

 After filing a report – please send me an email so we can track how many incidents there were. Keep your eyes open, cars locked and don’t leave valuables in your car! Report suspicious behavior! Thanks! There was also an isolated incident of an airboat propeller being stolen a few weeks ago. This was a targeted incident since they only went for this very specific & expensive item.

  Speeding

I heard some very positive results about less speeding. There was an electronic sign put up in the Isle of Pines. Live Oak Residents – was there one put on Rambling Oak yet? We also had several police officers (some under cover) with radars and I heard that tickets were issued. They will be coming out here randomly in different locations – so please follow the speed limits!

  Vandalism

About 2 weeks ago there were 2 stop signs along LMJ Rd that were knocked down on a weekend. One in Isle of Pines and one at Live Oak. It is believed that this was intentional vandalism. That same weekend there was vandalism of the Live Oak Playground involving graffiti. Please contact Bob Vaughan at Specialty Management with any info (407) 647-2622 (you can remain anonymous.)

 Keep Your Eyes Open!
Suzanne Arnold
 LMJ Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
LMJ Neighborhood Watch

Dear Resident,

 As of yesterday, the City of Orlando approved the first step towards annexing Innovation Place in southeast Orange County. This annexation is occurring at the request of the property owners.

Although I cannot say for certain, I expect this to have limited impact on the overall vision for Innovation Way. However, I will be working very closely with City of Orlando Commissioner Jim Gray so that together we may ensure that this larger vision for future economic development is not impacted by any plans approved by the City as a result of this annexation.

I have also been assured that Innovation Place as it develops within the City will not adversely impact the road alignments that the County has been working on for several years. I will keep you posted with further updates as I have them.

 If you have any further questions or comments, please contact my office at (407) 836-5916.

Yours in service,
Jennifer Thompson Orange County Commissioner,
District 4 201 S. Rosalind Avenue Orlando, FL 32802
 (407)836-5881
 www.jenniferthompson.net

Hello LMJ Neighborhood Watch Residents,

Sorry it’s taken me a few days to get a meeting recap out to you. I have had meetings and events each night and the kids are now out of school – just another reason to PLEASE drive with extra care! We had a good turnout of about 35-40 people attending.

 Susan Makowski (Aide to Commissioner Thompson) started our meeting with a discussion of speed humps and other “traffic calming devices”. She explained the different options, but what many residents don’t know is that those living on the street with the humps will have to pay for them.

I got a price from residents in the Hart Whippoorwill Rural Settlement of $3000 per speed hump. They were able to get the county to help pay about ½ with a special grant – but their speeding issue on Kirby Smith was due to the high school traffic using their neighborhood as a cut through – so it was external traffic speeding through and the humps have stopped people from driving through.

In our case, this is our own residents speeding – not cut through traffic so a grant would probably not apply. Side streets with dead ends are not considered since there is not enough traffic, and speed limits would also have to be reduced to 25 mph on LMJ rd to have speed humps.

 To start the process you must first request a petition for the specific rd. Then you need to do the footwork going door to door to collect signatures of residents living on that road that will have to pay for the humps to be willing to support this.

If there is enough interest, then the County will hold a community meeting to review the traffic calming device options available and ask the residents if they want to proceed. If they do, then an official ballot is sent out to each resident on the road that will be paying for the speed humps. (no one else can vote since they will not pay for them.) Of the returned ballots, there must be 67% in favor for it to pass. The process can take about 6 months once a petition is received. If any individuals are interested in pursuing this process – I can send you more information.

Next we had Deputy Belmonte answer other questions. We talked about other ways to slow traffic with signs, flyers, painting on the road, etc. I am requesting a review by the Road Dept to review the area for improvements. We talked about creating signs for our own yards with the speed limit or ones that say “Children at Play”. We also asked about reporting incidents. You can send me details that I will send on the our Deputy, but she will use it as a log to look for patterns of speeding and then send out an officer to try to radar the area. If you see a car speeding on a regular basis – or just want to report individual incidents you need to do 2 things:

 1st – Contact Non-Emergency at 407-836-HELP (4357) and you must have a Tag # in addition to make, model & color of car, time of day and location.

 2nd – After calling in the incident – you can email me the info (please do not call) so I can forward it to our Deputy for the log.

Since January – we have only had 2 complaints called in which is a very low number so officers will not come out here for that. They will also take your information – so if you are the only one calling over and over again – they will lump together all the incidents. In other words – don’t sit in your driveway all day making calls – that won’t help. It needs to be residents from all over our community complaining. If there are enough incidents – we will have officers randomly use radar out here.

BEWARE – speeding fines are $204 for going 15 miles over the limit, $254 for going 20 over the limit, and on up. If I have a lot of repeat tag numbers – I can add this info to an email and include the car description, make, model, dates and times (but not the tag) so this may alert someone (or a parent) that may not be aware. *

** WARNING – GOLF CART OWNERS – please note that we are NOT a recognized golf cart community! (We tried to get this status for the Isle of Pines a few yrs ago but the county is not adding any more official golf cart communities. Even if we could get this status – only golf carts that are officially registered would be allowed on the road – and to pass that test they must have tops, lights, rear view mirrors, etc to be “street legal” and able to keep up with traffic speeds.)

So, if a cop is out in the neighborhood ticketing speeders – they can also ticket golf carts since they are not legal – and if the driver of the golf cart is a minor – the parents of the golf cart can be charged with a CRIMINAL OFFENSE! 4 wheelers can also be charged if they are driving on the streets (yes – that means crossing the street.) And driving in a golf cart with alcohol is another ticket you don’t want to get. So please weigh the risk if you are driving a golf cart – I have a feeling that with the complaints heard at the meeting that there will be officers with radar out here randomly.

 We also discussed other ways to report someone speeding – but there really are not many options at this time other than radar. I would love to say that this is an outside problem – but it’s not. The majority of speeders are our own neighbors. However - if you see a business vehicle speeding – you may want to consider calling that company and giving them the tag #, time, location and vehicle description. This can really call attention to a problem! If you see a school bus speeding – please call it in with the tag # or bus # & the date and time. Then email me the info. I have a contact that works for the school transportation department – and all busses now have GPS on them so they can review the incident!

 Another thing I’m looking into is grant money to widen the road for a bike lane. Since rural settlements do not include sidewalks – we were hoping to find some other way to keep our bikers, roller bladders, and walkers a little safer on our narrow roads. I will keep you posted if there is something we can look into. I also had a neighbor contact me this week saying she would be glad to stand out by the road holding signs to remind drivers to slow down. If there are others that would want to team up with her – please let me know & I’ll put you in contact with each other. Last option is the Citizens on Patrol program.

We can have a volunteer from our community go through the process of becoming a Citizen on Patrol officer and they could help randomly patrol our neighborhood in a car that looks almost the same as a regular police car. This presence has been shown to dramatically reduce both crime and speeding!

If you are interesting in learning more about this program, let me know and I will send you info. The best way to stop speeding is to take responsibility yourself not to speed through any of our neighborhoods. I know we all run late – and sometimes on our long quiet roads you may not even realize how fast you are going. I know I have been using my cruise control lately to make sure I don’t start speeding up without realizing it.

Parents – if you have young drivers – please sit down and talk with them about the consequences – both financial and legal. We are hearing about a lot about different teens constantly speeding through the neighborhoods. I sincerely hope we can turn things around together as a community that cares about each other!

Suzanne Arnold
LMJ Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
LMJ Neighborhood Watch