Pine Ridge Indian Health Services (Rapid City, Hot Springs: crime, home, standard of living)

[Caypor]

Hi, I am new to this forum and looking for information about Pine Ridge. I am from NY and will be working at the Pine Ridge IHS for one month. I read in the internet many things regarding crime and gangs in the area, and would like to know how safe is the area around the Pine Ridge IHS. How far from Rapid City? Do cell phones work in the area? I will appreciate your comments.

[ElkHunter]

You didn't mention what month you were going to be at Pine Ridge. It makes a big difference for commute times. Also on where you are going to commute from.

Are you stuck on Rapid City? Hour and a half on a good day. 3 to 4 hours if it's bad weather and there isn't much help along the way should you be stranded.

Rushville Nebraska, is about 20 minutes and they have some amenities. 30-40 minutes in nasty weather.

Gordon Nebraska, is about 30 minutes and they have good amenities. 45 minutes in nasty weather.

Hot springs, about 50 minutes and in bad weather you're looking at about an hour. But excellent amenities.

As far as gangs and trouble. I've been through Pine Ridge many times and was more concerned with crooked cops then I was with local people. I've found them friendly and curtious.

Having said that, if your working daylight hours, your in good shape. Can't vouch for how it is at night.

[Caypor]

I will be working during the months of october-november, and the accomodations are provided by the IHS, so I guess that they are in the same center or very close to it. Thanks.

[uncleharley]

You should be okay in Oct/Nov. The bad weather doesn't really hammer anyone until January. I'm not sure why you want to drive to Rapid, but Jammie has the time about right on a good day. On a bad day I would stay home and play checkers or something. Cell phones will work several miles out of Hot Springs, but I am not sure about Pine Ridge. Your best route would be highway 18 northwest thru Oglala and Oelrichs to Hot Springs, then highway 79 north to Rapid. There are services in all three towns.

[DannyBanany]

Crime on the reservation is not bad. Just the standard of living in general, and teens are "wannabe" gangsters wearing Southpole and listening to 50 Cent.... not much to worry about there. Everyone down there knows each other and they are pretty close-knit so why would they want to cause trouble?

Government down there is VERY crooked, but that's a different story completely. The weather down there can be spontaneous and can go from a sunny 70 degree day to a blizzard in a matter of hours. This is rare and October is a good time of year to go down there. Rapid City is about a half hour from the Pine Ridge border and an hour from Little Wound, if that is where you will be. You will probably come to Rapid City fairly often for amenities and to go to Rapid City IHS for work too.

Good Luck!

[Butterfly777]

Originally Posted by Caypor

I will be working during the months of october-november, and the accomodations are provided by the IHS, so I guess that they are in the same center or very close to it. Thanks.

How did it go at Indian Health Service??? How was the housing??
Under staffed??? Friendly???
Severely opressed???
Many bi-lingual staff?? Patients???
Would you recommend learning Lakota??