Gangs and Violent crime...???

[Bridget]

I don't think you would regret coming to Utah. I have lived here my whole life and have never encountered any gangs or any gang activity. It might have to do with who I have chosen to associate myself with. I am not niave and know that it is there and getting worse but I think it is because the state is growing so much. I lived in West Valley for 10 years, before moving recently, and have only nice things to say about my experience. I grew up in Sandy and it is now boasting 35th safest city in America. I know our neighbors moved from California to Syracuse because of the gang activity increasing there and from what they have said they feel completely safe here. (They had a drive-by in the Cal. neighborhood before packing up. They said they can let their girls play outside now without worrying about them every minute)

[Aerorick]

You know, one thing I'll say about gang's in California is at least you know where they're at. And I'd venture the police in Utah know where they're at. The landlords who rent to them know who they are. People post all the time here suggesting places where it's not the best idea to shop for a place to live. 99.9% of the time, if someone is wounded or otherwise assaulted by these people it's because they were doing something they shouldn't have eg. buying drugs, ripping them off, ratting on them. They may be ruthless but they're not stupid. They know to lay very low and not hurt anyone who they think doesn't "deserve" it. And usually that's another gang member. As far as people who move from California because of a "drive-by" that occured in their neighborhood I don't doubt it happened. But it is really so uncommon outside the areas of Compton, East LA and more "downtown" areas that I'm thinking there are more reasons for the move. As far as I'm concerned, I fear being in a market being robbed by some tweaked-out white guy who is so burned out on meth out he doesn't have any idea what he's doing or hitting a deer at 75mph more than any gang activity.

[CivilLibertarian]

Aerorick (or anyone),

How bad is the Meth problem in Utah? I've heard it's pretty bad bad in the midwest (Missouri, Indiana, Nebraska) but what's the situation in Utah?

[dogmom]

Originally Posted by SwampChomp1

Aerorick (or anyone),

How bad is the Meth problem in Utah? I've heard it's pretty bad bad in the midwest (Missouri, Indiana, Nebraska) but what's the situation in Utah?

Lots of meth, lots of places for tweakers to hide out..

[maryegbertpt]

My response would be don't live in West Valley. I'm from Cleveland and we have getto's! Areas that you better not be caught driving in any time of the day. I just don't feel that way in Utah. It is probably the safest place I have ever lived. Sure there is crime everywhere you go and there will always be gangs...you just need to be street smart and know what areas of town to avoid.