A question about Martin, South Dakota (Rapid City, Pine Ridge: motels, houses, high school)

[DanJC718]

Can anyone tell me about Martin, South Dakota? I was interested in a possible job in Martin, and was wondering if anybody could tell me anything about Martin. In the job description, it was advertised as a small town community, but provided little other information. Any insight into this town would be much appreciated. Please let me know! Thanks, Dan.

[kareninya]

I came in late, and perhaps you've already made your decision. However, I live in Martin, and I can tell you whatever you'd like to know.

Local people are, for the most part, friendly and considerate. It is a very small-town atmosphere, and to truly belong it will be important to join local organizations, whether that be community choir, a religious group, or the library book club (which only meets intermittently). For a town of only 1200-ish, it is significant that, at last count, there were 13 churches. Admittedly, some have very small congregations.

High school sports are very important, community-wise. Attending games and volunteering are great ways to enter the community as well.

Do you have any specific questions?

[DanJC718]

I was inquiring because I see they have had a position opening for some time in the police department for police officer. I was thinking of applying for the job, and I was hoping to find out what kind of community Martin is. Of course, nothing says I would get the job anyway, but I was just curious. Any more information you could give me would be great. Thanks for responding, it's good to hear from someone in Martin!

[kareninya]

Ah, the police force in Martin is somewhat...different. Martin is the county seat of Bennett County. Up until recently, the city relied on the county law enforcement and did not maintain its own force. Due to certain conflicts, the force was split and now there's the county police and the city police. Reconciliation does not look to be imminent, despite strong feeling from residents that the whole situation is asinine. If you were to join either force, negotiation skills and a high level of tolerance would be extremely beneficial.

The county itself is not doing well financially. There's a tremendous outflux of graduates, many of whom don't return. The local school system recently had to cut its budget severely.

As for businesses, there are two grocery stores, three gas stations, the mercantile/drug store, a dollar store, two hardware stores, a couple vets, and a farm implement dealer. There are others, but the gist is that they are almost all (except one gas station) locally owned businesses.

Racial tensions are another factor. Martin is situated between two Native American reservations. There is an area colloquially referred to as "The Housing," which is government-furnished housing for Native Americans. One of the reservations is Pine Ridge, which is known to be one of the poorest reservations in the country. Many people of both races express casually rascist comments, although several local organizations, including the school, are working to combat this.

The community would be very happy to welcome a competent, at least somewhat humble law enforcement officer. Preferably if that person moved to Martin or the surrounding area, rather than commuting from another county. The residents are looking for someone with an interest in making Martin their home. Someone who didn't think they were superior to everyone else, and who knew how to allocate funds intelligently. Both have been problems in the past.

I hope I'm not painting too dour a picture.

[DanJC718]

Thanks for the info! I do appreciate, definately something to consider. I do appreciate the help.

Take good care, Dan.

[ahul]

i used to work in martin at the hospital. and i can tell you there was at least one car accident, one assault and one really drunk person every weekend. that were so bad off they ended up in ER. i think the worst thing about martin was that you were so far from everywhere else. when you need help it's going to be a ways off.
if i were you i'd find another job some where else.
martin is definitly not where i would want to raise a family. and i would not let my husband get a job as a police officer there.
for such a small town, it has a huge drug and alcohol problem, and stabbings, GSW"S, beatings and rollover MVA's are far to frequent.
li'd look in the hills or around sioux falls if i were you!
good luck!

[kareninya]

I had no idea it was as bad as all that, ahul! (Of course, I've never worked at the hospital). I wonder who all these drunken people were, getting into accidents? I must hang around with the "safe" crowd.

[melaniemmcbee]

Originally Posted by DanJC718

Can anyone tell me about Martin, South Dakota? I was interested in a possible job in Martin, and was wondering if anybody could tell me anything about Martin. In the job description, it was advertised as a small town community, but provided little other information. Any insight into this town would be much appreciated. Please let me know! Thanks, Dan.

My name is Melanie McBee, I am a Native American originally from Pine Ridge. I lived in Martin, and I'd be happy to tell you what I know about it. It is a small town community, with many Native Americans, it is rich in Lakota culture. The land is beautiful. The school is a good school. LaCreek college is right uptown, and there are many nice houses for reasonable prices. The bowling alley is THE place to hangout, the Legion has smokers with all you can eat, and all you can drink often. H&H bar has Halloween dances, and such. There is an alcoholism problem among the Natives there, but as long as you don't get involved, you won't have any problems. I'm pretty sure that there are good jobs available, but it's finding them that will be the harder part a lot of them are word of mouth. I think most people commute to Rapid, Gordon, or somewhere. The people are friendly, but the down side is that being new in town is sometimes hard. In small towns people gossip a lot, but other than that it is surrounded in beautiful grassland. There are 2 small grocery stores, a few gas stations, liquor store, a couple of motels, courthouse, mercantile. A nice little diner my mother works at, that has surprisingly good food a bank with western union. There are basketball games and such help uptown, if you like that kind of thing. A senior citizens center, and it is rapidly expanding. The drive to Rapid City is about an hour and a half, and it is a gorgeous drive. I hope that's helpful.

[melaniemmcbee]

Originally Posted by kareninya

Ah, the police force in Martin is somewhat...different. Martin is the county seat of Bennett County. Up until recently, the city relied on the county law enforcement and did not maintain its own force. Due to certain conflicts, the force was split and now there's the county police and the city police. Reconciliation does not look to be imminent, despite strong feeling from residents that the whole situation is asinine. If you were to join either force, negotiation skills and a high level of tolerance would be extremely beneficial.

The county itself is not doing well financially. There's a tremendous outflux of graduates, many of whom don't return. The local school system recently had to cut its budget severely.

As for businesses, there are two grocery stores, three gas stations, the mercantile/drug store, a dollar store, two hardware stores, a couple vets, and a farm implement dealer. There are others, but the gist is that they are almost all (except one gas station) locally owned businesses.

Racial tensions are another factor. Martin is situated between two Native American reservations. There is an area colloquially referred to as "The Housing," which is government-furnished housing for Native Americans. One of the reservations is Pine Ridge, which is known to be one of the poorest reservations in the country. Many people of both races express casually rascist comments, although several local organizations, including the school, are working to combat this.

The community would be very happy to welcome a competent, at least somewhat humble law enforcement officer. Preferably if that person moved to Martin or the surrounding area, rather than commuting from another county. The residents are looking for someone with an interest in making Martin their home. Someone who didn't think they were superior to everyone else, and who knew how to allocate funds intelligently. Both have been problems in the past.

I hope I'm not painting too dour a picture.

Hi my name is Melanie McBee (YellowBird-BlueBird) I am origianlly from Pine Ridge, and was adopted, but did live in Martin for quite sometime. I was wondering if the alcoholism among the Natives there bothers you?? I have a lot of family there, and it's terrible for me to watch the people I love commit a slow suicide, due to alcoholism. Are you Native??

[melaniemmcbee]

Originally Posted by ahul

i used to work in martin at the hospital. and i can tell you there was at least one car accident, one assault and one really drunk person every weekend. that were so bad off they ended up in ER. i think the worst thing about martin was that you were so far from everywhere else. when you need help it's going to be a ways off.
if i were you i'd find another job some where else.
martin is definitly not where i would want to raise a family. and i would not let my husband get a job as a police officer there.
for such a small town, it has a huge drug and alcohol problem, and stabbings, GSW"S, beatings and rollover MVA's are far to frequent.
li'd look in the hills or around sioux falls if i were you!
good luck!

My name is Melanie McBee (YellowBird-BlueBird) I was adopted off of Pine Ridge, and lived there in Martin for sometime. I agree with you to the T about the drunks out there. I brought my brother out here in August, because he called me and said he would kill himself, if I didn't come get him. My husband and I went to get him, and he had a job offer here, a car we gave him, and he just drank, raised cain out here, and then STILL went back there. He had such a good opportunity here with my family, to start a new life, I tried to show him that there was a better life than drinking, and he didn't care, he made an idiot of himself, and made my family look stupid. My father is dying, I have had countless family members commit suicide, or die of alcohol related accidents, or alcohol poisoning. I agree with you completely about the stabbings, and crazinesss there. I just don't understand?? Thank God I was adopted into a good family. Thank you for not being blind to the alcoholism, and other problems with the Native Americans there.