Crime in Riverton (Lander: high crime, home, find a job)

[davidafan]

My husband has the opportunity to take a job in Riverton, and I have been doing some research on the town. I noticed that here on City Data the crime index is only slightly lower than the national average. I was just curious why such a small town would have such a high crime rating. If someone could enlighten me, that would be great.

Thanks.

[Froggie Legs]

While I can't say for certain, since I'm not there yet-- (hoping to find a job in that area in the coming year)--I do look at this website often rivertonradio.com - West Central Wyoming's leading news and information web site that someone on here once posted , and it includes local news...including the police reports for Lander and Riverton. They mostly seem like theft and other minor offenses. I'm guessing the rate seems high since the population is not huge.. only 10k in Riverton and 7k in Lander or so.

Riverton is a nice area.. or you could live in Lander which is only 25 miles away, though the cost of living would likely be less in Riverton. Good luck! My aunt and uncle live in Lander and have for 30 years or so, without any problems.

[Brian_M]

Most "crime" is fueled by alcohol out here. Petty theft, vandalism, drunk driving, maybe the rare instance of property damage (normally between people who know each other), and a fair helping of domestic violence. All easy to avoid if you've lived in a city and know to not flash/advertise you have desirable things and don't go out getting drunk 7 days a week and looking for trouble.

My parents (we both live in Lander) still leave their cars and home unlocked... though they stopped leaving keys in the cars sometime back in the '80s. I've spent a decade living in different cities and lock both by habit. The only crime I've seen is vandalism of my work, and it was done by 13~15 year old boys (caught on video, and later in person by myself and a couple helpful police).

[imbobbbb]

Statistics often dont translate well to towns with very small populations.you have to look at the actual numbers.I was reading a stat once where the murder rate had tripled in a town from one decade to the next....after reading the hard numbers there had been one murder in the eighties and three in the nineties,technically 'tripling the murder rate',but the rate had been so low to begin with that even the current rate was quite low.Upon further reading all three victims had been killed at the same time in a domestic violence incident which further skewed the reality.

[vmp123]

what about hate crime is really high or low i would like to know about that

[Brian_M]

Hate crime is non-existent in Riverton.

[vmp123]

Originally Posted by Brian_M

Hate crime is non-existent in Riverton.

so they dont hate gays or anything

[vmp123]

Originally Posted by Brian_M

Hate crime is non-existent in Riverton.

hi sorry for the bugging but when u say there is non hate crime so that means that people dont hate gays i really need to know this please write back thanks

[vmp123]

Originally Posted by Brian_M

Hate crime is non-existent in Riverton.

hi sorry to bug but when u say that there is no hate crime that means they dont hate gays and kill them right or am i wrong

[Froggie Legs]

There are always going to be stupid people, no matter where you go in this wide world. But from what I've noticed from reading this board, people in Wyoming judge you on the content of your character, not your sexual orientation or skin color or religion, etc. If you are a nice, friendly, helpful person who takes genuine interest in the area you are living, I doubt you would have any problems in the "hate crime" arena. I'm not saying it's a guarantee anywhere in the world, but I would think your chances are less likely in Wyoming given that the total population of the state is less than many major metropolitan areas around the country. Living in smallish communities can have its advantages.

Found this site that gave some stats, Fremont County Wyoming Crime Report
but it doesn't mention to whom any of these crimes were committed...gay-straight-black-white-native- etc. If you are concerned, contact the local police agency and perhaps they could shed some more light onto your query.