# What is the crime history of Zimmerman's neighborhood he was "watching"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988 "2013-07-19T23:13:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/21 "2013-07-20T17:07:13Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > He had almost no cash on him and all his credit cards had been maxed out. He was not going to Target. How long before this claim starts getting credulously repeated elsewhere, i wonder? You say this like it’s fact, but it isn’t, is it? How long do you think you can get away with just tossing out fabricated claims like this? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/22 "2013-07-20T17:25:38Z")
I’ve purposely ignored this entire thing because I knew there wouldn’t ever be enough information for me to come to a solid conclusion. But having said that, I’m glad this question was asked, I had no idea about the crime in that area and assumed a gated community was low in crime and that gz was probably overzealous. But this information gives me a more favorable view of gz…still don’t know what happened though. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/23 "2013-07-20T17:27:04Z")
www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Sanford-Florida.html On a scale of very low to very high Sanford rates as very high. I just learned today that the two little black boys that Zimmerman was mentoring had a father who was in prison. So he had been following our president’s advice before it was given. Good on him. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/24 "2013-07-20T17:42:21Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > [Here](http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/25/us-usa-florida-shooting-zimmerman-idUSBRE83O18H20120425), [here](http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/28/zimmerman-s-twin-lakes-community-was-on-edge-before-trayvon-shooting.html), and [here](http://www.talkleft.com/story/2012/4/25/214812/118/crimenews/George-Zimmerman-s-Life-and-the-Neighborhood-Burglaries). Kinda sad that it took several replies before someone finally showed up to ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION THE OP ASKED. Kudos to you, sir. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/25 "2013-07-20T17:44:56Z")
> [@sugaree](#): > > I’ve heard this before, that Zimmerman had little cash and no credit (or debit) cards on his person. But I can’t find a cite for it. Appreciate if someone had one. I don’t remember where I’ve heard this and it very well not be substantiated anywhere. So if it’s false, mea culpa, world. I don’t believe we have any reason to believe that he was really on his way to the store, though. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/26 "2013-07-20T18:14:11Z")
> [@Tethered\_Kite](#): > > I just learned today that the two little black boys that Zimmerman was mentoring had a father who was in prison. So he had been following our president’s advice before it was given. Good on him. How is that possible? The critics say that he’s a racist. ---
**Author:** ![Tollhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@Tollhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tollhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/27 "2013-07-20T18:17:57Z")
> [@sugaree](#): > > Well, in fairness, a lot of the allegations against Trayvon Martin are equally unsubstantiated, or merely bizarrely unrelated to the actual event. Aint that the truth? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/28 "2013-07-20T18:55:21Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > [Here](http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/25/us-usa-florida-shooting-zimmerman-idUSBRE83O18H20120425), [here](http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/28/zimmerman-s-twin-lakes-community-was-on-edge-before-trayvon-shooting.html), and [here](http://www.talkleft.com/story/2012/4/25/214812/118/crimenews/George-Zimmerman-s-Life-and-the-Neighborhood-Burglaries). Thank you Tom. Your first link had this interesting information: > [@](#): > > On February 2, 2012, Zimmerman placed a call to Sanford police after spotting a young black man he recognized peering into the windows of a neighbor’s empty home, according to several friends and neighbors. > > “I don’t know what he’s doing. I don’t want to approach him, personally,” Zimmerman said in the call, which was recorded. The dispatcher advised him that a patrol car was on the way. By the time police arrived, according to the dispatch report, the suspect had fled. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/29 "2013-07-20T21:43:13Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I don’t remember where I’ve heard this and it very well not be substantiated anywhere. So if it’s false, mea culpa, world. > > I don’t believe we have any reason to believe that he was really on his way to the store, though. The world according to **you with the face** : We know he was lying about going to the store. _Really? Cite?_ He had no money and all his credit cards were maxed out. _Really? Cite?_ Well, maybe that isn’t actually substantiated anywhere. But still we have no reason to believe that he was really on his way to the store, though! ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/30 "2013-07-20T22:09:26Z")
A [relevant post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16443851&postcount=923)of mine from one of those huge threads: > [@Iggy](#): > > The [Miami Herald reports](http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/17/v-fullstory/2700249/trayvon-martin-shooter-a-habitual.html) there were 402 police calls to The Retreat at Twin Lakes development between January 1, 2011 and Feb 26, 2012. [Zimmerman made 8 of those calls](http://www.politicolnews.com/the-george-zimmermans-list-of-calls-to-police/), including the now infamous call the night Trayvon Martin was shot. So George Zimmerman made about 2% of the reports for that neighborhood over that period of time. Most of Zimmerman’s 46 calls were not related to matters within the Retreat at Twin Lakes neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Tollhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@Tollhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tollhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/31 "2013-07-20T22:51:12Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > How long before this claim starts getting credulously repeated elsewhere, i wonder? > > You say this like it’s fact, but it isn’t, is it? > > How long do you think you can get away with just tossing out fabricated claims like this? It doesnt make a difference to you how much proof there is, anything that paints your boy gz in a less than stellar light, you dismiss. It would be a more honest debate if zimmerbots would at least be able to admit even the most basic proven facts but I guess why the name zimmerbots was coined ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/32 "2013-07-21T00:23:29Z")
Thanks to those that answered my question! I fell asleep last night after I posted and just now got back online. I haven’t read the links yet, will soon. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/33 "2013-07-21T00:49:47Z")
> [@Tollhouse](#): > > It doesnt make a difference to you how much proof there is, anything that paints your boy gz in a less than stellar light, you dismiss. It would be a more honest debate if zimmerbots would at least be able to admit even the most basic proven facts but I guess why the name zimmerbots was coined Dude, then it will be really easy to put him in his place. Come up with a cite for this “proof.” ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/34 "2013-07-21T00:55:56Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > [Here](http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/25/us-usa-florida-shooting-zimmerman-idUSBRE83O18H20120425), [here](http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/28/zimmerman-s-twin-lakes-community-was-on-edge-before-trayvon-shooting.html), and [here](http://www.talkleft.com/story/2012/4/25/214812/118/crimenews/George-Zimmerman-s-Life-and-the-Neighborhood-Burglaries). Thanks, those links answered my question perfectly. Exactly what I was looking for. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/35 "2013-07-21T00:57:32Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > For the 14 or 16 month time period prior to the assault and justifiable shooting in Twin Oaks, GZ averaged around 1 call per week to the police. The residents of the Retreat at Twin Oaks averaged around 1 call per day to the police. > > One of the Sanford PD employees who delt with neighborhood watches testified that she had researched Twin Oaks crime history when she had been asked to help start a Twin Oaks neighborhood watch. She testified that there had been many reported burglaries in the neighborhood. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/36 "2013-07-21T01:02:31Z")
> [@Tethered\_Kite](#): > > www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Sanford-Florida.html > > On a scale of very low to very high Sanford rates as very high. > > I just learned today that the two little black boys that Zimmerman was mentoring had a father who was in prison. So he had been following our president’s advice before it was given. Good on him. Helpful link…thanks! Are you serious about Zimmerman mentoring black kids? Or did I get whooshed? ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/37 "2013-07-21T01:41:42Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > A [relevant post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16443851&postcount=923)of mine from one of those huge threads: > > So George Zimmerman made about 2% of the reports for that neighborhood over that period of time. > > Most of Zimmerman’s 46 calls were not related to matters within the Retreat at Twin Lakes neighborhood. This 402 number is also a fact I hear thrown around a lot. May I have a source please? ---
**Author:** ![Tollhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@Tollhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tollhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/38 "2013-07-21T01:48:05Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The world according to **you with the face** : > > We know he was lying about going to the store. > > _Really? Cite?_ > > He had no money and all his credit cards were maxed out. > > _Really? Cite?_ > > Well, maybe that isn’t actually substantiated anywhere. But still we have no reason to believe that he was really on his way to the store, though! Why bother? Even if hard evidence falls on your head, you will deny it. As far as citing how about gzs storyline? He said tm was pounding his head so hard he almost felt he would black out, yet det cerino stated his injurIes didnt support that story, he didnt have any skull fractures. What is gzs “cite” for just about every thing he claimed happened? Just him sayin so…Why the hell didnt he go to the ER after, since he claimed his calls were to “save his life” from being almost beaten to death…yet, that same life wasnt worth a trip to the ER? He knew of course the ER doctors wouldnt find evidence of injuries consistent with such a brutal beating.. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/39 "2013-07-21T02:07:12Z")
I’m not sure how “he didn’t get hit _hard enough_ to fracture his skull” becomes evidence _against_ George Zimmerman. (since it implies that there was evidence that he was getting his head hit against the ground- which, if you admit that, that in and of itself, should provide reasonable doubt from a murder charge) ---
**Author:** ![toyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@toyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toyo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988/40 "2013-07-21T02:07:14Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > Helpful link…thanks! Are you serious about Zimmerman mentoring black kids? Or did I get whooshed? Zimmerman may have profiled Trayvon due to past burglaries committed by black males in the neighborhood, but it’s difficult to label him a racist based on his past actions. [Quote=CNN] Sonner said Zimmerman and his wife served as mentors to two teenage children of an African-American woman. Though funding was cut for the program, the couple continued their efforts on their own, taking the 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy on outings to a mall, a science center and a basketball game. They also helped in a fundraiser for an African-American church, the lawyer said. [/quote] [http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/23/justice/florida-teen-shooting](http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/23/justice/florida-teen-shooting) Zimmerman criticized Standford police for covering up a black homeless man’s beating by a white teenager. [http://www.kitv.com/news/national/Tape-showed-Zimmerman-s-anger-over-black-man-s-beating/-/8905418/14084642/-/10xbisk/-/index.html](http://www.kitv.com/news/national/Tape-showed-Zimmerman-s-anger-over-black-man-s-beating/-/8905418/14084642/-/10xbisk/-/index.html) “A black female neighbor has publicly stated that George Zimmerman was the only person, black or white, who welcomed her to the community.” [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ama-yawson/george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin\_b\_1399944.html](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ama-yawson/george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin_b_1399944.html) Zimmerman’s old MySpace page had several black friends. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2138238/Travon-Martin-case-George-Zimmermans-unseen-2005-MySpace-page-includes-slurs-Mexicans.html](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2138238/Travon-Martin-case-George-Zimmermans-unseen-2005-MySpace-page-includes-slurs-Mexicans.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-crime-history-of-zimmermans-neighborhood-he-was-watching/663988.md?page=3)