Floral City Community Lives in Fear as Crime Increases: Susyn Stecchi Collects Signatures for Action

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Floral City Homeowner Raises Concerns Over Increasing Crime Rates

Residents of Floral City, a small community in Citrus County, Florida, are living in fear due to a recent spate of criminal activities. Incidents such as robberies, carjackings, and a man setting his house on fire and shooting at deputies and firefighters have left the community on edge.

Susyn Stecchi, a resident of the Derby Oaks section of Floral City, has taken matters into her own hands by starting a petition calling for action to address the rise in crime. In just two weeks, she has collected 33 signatures from concerned neighbors. Stecchi believes that the majority of the crimes in the area have been limited to home break-ins and criminal mischief.

“Our community no longer feels safe, and we are living in fear in our own homes due to this pervasive criminal element,” Stecchi said.

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast has acknowledged the community’s concerns and has scheduled a meeting on November 18th between his department and the community to address the issue. While specific details regarding the meeting’s time and location have yet to be announced, Prendergast has assured residents that the department is actively working to address the problem.

“We know of some nuisance locations in that area of the county, and we are working with code enforcement regarding those nuisance areas,” Prendergast said. He also mentioned that detectives are actively searching for trespassers in areas they shouldn’t be.

In response to the rising crime rates, many residents who have never taken such precautions before have started locking the gates of their homes and installing security systems to protect themselves and their property.

One particular incident that has shaken the community occurred on November 3rd when deputies responded to a call regarding a man acting erratically at a residence on East Trails End Road in Floral City. As deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation, the man used gasoline to set his house and yard on fire. He then began shooting at the responding deputies, who returned fire and fatally wounded him. The man was later identified as 57-year-old Paul Vincent Noeller.

In other news, Crystal River High School has announced that Cliff Lohrey, the head football coach for the past six seasons, is no longer with the school. Lohrey, a Crystal River High School graduate himself, expressed his dedication to the program and stated that the decision was not his own. Despite the disappointment of not winning as many games as he would have liked in recent years, Lohrey remains grateful for the opportunity to have coached at his alma mater.

Meanwhile, the Citrus County Tourist Development Council (TDC) is considering a partnership with Great Days Outdoors Media to promote turkey hunting season and increase awareness of the Inverness area. The TDC is reviewing two options presented by the media group, including a package that covers turkey hunting season, snook season, and general anglers on various media platforms. The TDC hopes that promoting turkey hunting will attract more visitors to the area.

On a different note, County Administrator Steve Howard is seeking a salary hike. After receiving a 4 percent cost-of-living raise, Howard’s current salary is $205,400. He is now requesting a 5 percent increase, which would bring his annual salary to $215,670. The decision will be up to the county commissioners, who have praised Howard for his communication skills and ability to move stalled projects forward.

Despite the various discussions and debates happening in the county, the annual West Citrus Kiwanis’ Key-CREST Field Day at Crystal River High School brings a ray of positivity. The event, which involves over 200 athletes with special needs from CREST School and The Key Training Center, provides a platform for them to participate in athletic events and earn medals. This heartwarming event brings smiles to the faces of participants and reminds the community of the importance of inclusivity and support.

As Floral City residents continue to voice their concerns about the increase in crime, they hope that the upcoming meeting with law enforcement will bring about effective solutions to make their community safer once again..