Country Villas: Helpful Information

Helpful Information

Sidewalk Blockages

As a reminder please do not block the sidewalks in the community of Country Villas. This type of issue creates a problem for our children, walkers, and joggers who use these sidewalks to travel. Also there is a Florida State Statute below which will help you understand the law we are trying to educate members of our community with.

There is a Florida State Statute prohibiting parking on a sidewalk (which includes the sidewalk in front of your driveway).

316.1945 Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places.–

(1) Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device, no person shall:

(a) Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:

1. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.

2. On a sidewalk

3. Within an intersection.

4. On a crosswalk.

5. Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the Department of Transportation indicates a different length by signs or markings.

6. Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic.

7. Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel.

8. On any railroad tracks.

9. On a bicycle path.

10. At any place where official traffic control devices prohibit stopping.

11. On the roadway or shoulder of a limited access facility, except as provided by regulation of the Department of Transportation, or on the paved portion of a connecting ramp; except that a vehicle which is disabled or in a condition improper to be driven as a result of mechanical failure or crash may be parked on such shoulder for a period not to exceed 6 hours. This provision is not applicable to a person stopping a vehicle to render aid to an injured person or assistance to a disabled vehicle in obedience to the directions of a law enforcement officer or to a person stopping a vehicle in compliance with applicable traffic laws.

12. For the purpose of loading or unloading a passenger on the paved roadway or shoulder of a limited access facility or on the paved portion of any connecting ramp. This provision is not applicable to a person stopping a vehicle to render aid to an injured person or assistance to a disabled vehicle.

(b) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:

1. In front of a public or private driveway.

2. Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

3. Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

4. Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway.

5. Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of such entrance (when property signposted).

6. On an exclusive bicycle lane.

7. At any place where official traffic control devices prohibit standing.

(c) Park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading merchandise or passengers:

1. Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing unless the Department of Transportation establishes a different distance due to unusual circumstances.

2. At any place where official signs prohibit parking.

(2) No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under his or her control into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such a distance as is unlawful.

(3) A law enforcement officer or parking enforcement specialist who discovers a vehicle parked in violation of this section or a municipal or county ordinance may:

(a) Issue a ticket form as may be used by a political subdivision or municipality to the driver; or

(b) If the vehicle is unattended, attach such ticket to the vehicle in a conspicuous place, except that the uniform traffic citation prepared by the department pursuant to s. 316.650 may not be issued by being attached to an unattended vehicle.

The uniform traffic citation prepared by the department pursuant to s. 316.650 may not be issued for violation of a municipal or county parking ordinance.

(4) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.

Auto-Burglery Tips

Last year we have had reports of automobile burglaries in our subdivision where the subject entered an unlocked automobile. Fortunately the subject was scared away by the owner and he/she did not get any of the valuables inside. Below are some tips to protect you and your property.

Auto Burglary Prevention Tips

Park in a well-lit area whenever possible.
Do not leave valuables in view. This includes cell phones, cash, purses and backpacks, laptops, GPS and other electronics.
Put removable stereo face plates in your trunk.
Lock all doors; roll up all windows.

Report ALL suspicious activity to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Call 727-582-6200

How Do I Get Rid of It?

Please click the link below to find information on how to dispose of prescription medicaltions that you no longer need.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/getridofit/medications.pdf

Hurricane Preparedness

With faint memories of past seasons in the backs of our minds, we dust off our plans, restock our canned goods, and dig the weather radio out of the back of the closet. If you’ve lived in Florida for a couple of years, it’s become part of the spring cleaning routine. The problem with routines is they make us complacent. When was the last time you verified emergency contact information and routes to your Safe House and Safe Haven? Has your family added a pet or a baby to the planning process?

Any changes in your life require added consideration during hurricane season. Copies of important documents such as marriage licenses, birth certificates and insurance policies need to be kept in a safe, water tight location. A current list of assets should also be kept with the insurance policy. Verify evacuation routes and check to see if new construction could hinder the evacuation process. Check the most recent flood maps to make sure your home’s flood and evacuation status has not changed. If you take part in the Safe House program, touch base with your partnered family to go over hurricane plans and discus the expectations of each party.

What is in your hurricane supply kit? Use last year’s canned goods or donate them to a local charity and purchase new. Ration out your food to make sure you have enough for every member of your family for two weeks. Purchase additional bags of food for your pets and store them in a plastic container to keep them safe and dry. Double check your first aid supplies for expired or missing items and keep an extra refill of your current medications with your first aid supplies. Ensure you have enough bottles of drinking water for every member of your family, to include your pets, for each to have at least one gallon a day for two weeks. Check the charges on all of your batteries and make sure you have plenty of extra sets for all flashlights and portable electronic devices. Is your portable television digital or analog? If it’s analog, do you have a signal converter?

Hurricane planning does not have to be difficult or demanding. Preparedness does not have to include sleepless nights and long lines two days before a hurricane strikes. All it requires is some forethought along with advanced planning and organization.

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