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12/16/09
Owner/Resident 2 Years
by HL Chilly at Citysearch
I just read all of the poor reviews of Kempsville Lake and I won’t try to dispute their experiences, but I can offer my own.
I have lived here as a young wife (no children) and a frequent dog walker. I walk my dog almost every day around our nearby lake and sometimes around the larger front lake. Many reviewers talk about hoodlums or teens loitering at the lake, and although I too often see large groups of kids, I smile and say hello and guess what--they smile back and compliment my dog. I feel bad for those who have been intimidated by these kids but from my perspective, they have been friendly.
I have read the complaints that residents too often feel like they get picked on for the appearance of their homes and can’t enjoy the neighborhood because it is overrun with children; trying their best to enforce the nice appearance of homes IS management’s job, and babysitting ISN’T. I don’t know how you expect management to keep kids off the streets, but to their credit, they have been discussing how to draw kids into community activities lately--activities that they fund, in addition to more family-oriented gatherings.
My only disapproval comes from constantly seeing dog feces around the lake. Even when bags are provided, people don’t pick up after their animals (I pick up after mine). That and in the weeks after the recent nor-easter, the lake has had a lot of litter and downed trees that either are not removed, or which are sawn into pieces and just left there. I would like to see that fixed.
Otherwise, I will let other residents attest to the crime. We personally have not been the victims of crime, but that doesn’t mean that other residents’ experiences aren’t true. I will say that I try not to walk my dog at night but I would probably keep that habit anywhere.
I enjoy living at Kempsville Lake and I would recommend it to others. Certainly the homes have great floorplans and much larger yards (in general) than you will see in other communities and I love having lakes to walk my dog around. In my limited experience in-person with management, I think they are caring and are doing their best on the budget they have and the limited influence they have by law.
- Pros: Great Floorplans, Many Lakes, Community Activities
- Cons: Lake Litter, Little Post-Disaster Clean-up
01/29/09
Crime ridden Kempsville Lakes!
by KvilleLakes at Citysearch
Wow! What a deceiving place Kempsville Lakes is! I am a 24 year old female, who currently lives with her parents in Kempsville Lakes. My parents own our town house and we have been here since I was 1. It is incredible the changes (for the worse) that the neighborhood has taken. I do not recommend anyone renting or buying here. There is so much crime that happens here that isn't publicized. For the first time in who knows how long crime activity was actually reported on the News this morning that took place here 2 nights ago. There was a DRIVE-BY! A drive-by, people! This happened on Marlwood Way which is one street over from where we live. Apparently there was an altercation at the BP across from Farm Fresh on Baxter Rd. and someone followed a resident of Kempsville Lakes home and shot at several different town houses late 01/27/09. Not to mention on Kenley Rd. a couple of weeks ago a man's home was broken into and the homeowner was shot. Aside from all of that, people's cars are stolen here on the regular. DO NOT start your cars in the morning to warm them up and leave them unattended.
My point is this is such a deceptive neighborhood. It used to be nice. My friends and I used to roam the streets without any worries. You can't do that now though. If you drive through the neighborhood during the day it looks so inviting. There is not much graffiti, nice calm lake, pool, playground, etc. Don't be fooled! Drive through here late at night on a weekend and the hoodlums are out and so are the police patrolling. Actually, police should be patrolling here much more than they do. I hope the crime activity continues to be reported on the News too. People have no idea how dangerous the neighborhood actually is. It's sad. I can't wait til my parents have the money to move!
- Pros: Lake, Pool, Playground
- Cons: Insane amount of crime!!!!
01/10/09
Crime Striken Neighborhood
by blondie0277 at Citysearch
Let's open up here and give a little useful incite as to what type of neighborhood Kempsville Lakes really is. My family and I have been residents of this neighborhood for 3 yrs. In the 3yrs since we've become residents of this neighborhood, I've seen quite a bit of crime. I'm just going to list a few crime activities that have occurred on my street alone: 1). An innocent man beaten with a baseball bat by 3 ruthless individuals. 2). One victim's truck was broken into with his cellphone, his change console, and other items taken. 3). Another victim having a $400.00 bike stolen: ATTACHED TO HIS VEHICLE. 4). Just less that a week ago, a women had her vehicle stolen directly out of her driveway prior to leaving for work. Like most drivers, she was just simply warming her car up prior to beginning her day.
At the present while I'm sitting here typing at my computer, patrol cars are busy looking for a suspect. This morning 3 men to evaded a vehicle that they had just stolen. They captured one suspect, but the other escaped and is currently loose in the neighborhood. So, you tell me if management has performed their expected duties? Each homeowner is required to pay an association fee. You explain to me and other homeowners where their fees are being contributed. I'll tell you where, maybe it was to replace the pansies that were recently uprooted in the flowerbeds at each entrance. Here's a tip to solve flowering thief's, PLANT PERENNIALS! They last year round. For Pete sake, nothing is being done by management or anyone else to lower the crime rate.
Here's a few ideas that could potentially lower the crime statistics: 1). Place surveillance cameras at each entrance into the neighborhood. 2). Make this community a gated community. 3). Hire an armed security patrol. I failed to mention a goose that became a victim as well. She had been an icon here at Kempsville Lakes for over 15yrs. Ask yourself this, is this a neighborhood for you and your family to reside in?
- Pros: Delightfull pool, lake, and playground
- Cons: WAY TOO MUCH CRIME ACTIVITY!!!!!!!!!
