Southeast Montana’s Richland County is home to about 11,000 people, the largest of which is the city of Sidney, which also happens to be the county seat. The FBI reports that Richland County has a crime incidence of 14.6 occurrences per 1,000 people, far lower than the state average of 25.9.
However, it’s important to remember that safety standards can change in different parts of Richland County. Based on web search findings, the following Richland County, Montana, locations have been flagged as having greater safety concerns:
Wolf Point
About 2,700 people live in this community, which is part of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. One of Wolf Point’s major problems is the high rate of violent crime, which is especially targeted at strangers. Wolf Point had 26 recorded violent crime cases in 2013, which translates to a rate of 9.6 occurrences per 1,000 people.
However, Wolf Point faces a number of socioeconomic problems, such as drug misuse, unemployment, poverty, and crime. It has become well-known for serving as a hub for sexual assault and human trafficking, which primarily targets Native American women and children.
Sidney
With a population of about 6,300, this urban center is the most populous in Richland County and functions as the county’s administrative center. Theft and arson are two of the property-related crimes that are particularly common in Sidney. With 304 property crimes recorded in Sidney in 2013, there were 48.3 incidences per 1,000 residents.
However, Sidney also faces a number of other difficulties, such as a lack of available housing, gridlock in the streets, negative environmental effects, and criminality. When a local teacher was abducted and killed in 2012, the city was shocked to learn of the terrible fallout from the oil boom era.
Fairview
This community has about 850 residents and is located close to the border with North Dakota. While property crime is noticeably higher than violent crime, Fairview experiences a modest degree of both. 51 incidences of property crime and 7 violent crime incidents were reported in Fairview in 2013, translating to rates of 8.2 and 59.9 per 1,000 residents, respectively.
Fairview does, however, also have to contend with issues like crime, population decrease, and isolation. The adjacent oil boom has affected the town, causing more traffic, noise, and violent events. In addition, Fairview has had to deal with floods, fires, and vandalism in recent years.
Savage
There are about 350 people living in this settlement, which is located south of Sidney. Savage has a relatively high rate of property crime despite having a noticeably low frequency of violent crime. The municipality had 16 incidences of property crime and 0 violent crime incidents in 2013, for rates of 0 and 45.7 per 1,000 population, respectively.
However, Savage faces a number of difficulties, such as crime, outdated infrastructure, and poverty. The nearby oil boom has had a direct influence on the community, increasing demand for housing and services. In addition, Savage has seen an increase in drug-related events, thefts, and burglaries in recent years.
Lambert
There are roughly 400 people living in this village, which is east of Sidney. In comparison, there are comparatively few violent crimes in Lambert, but there are a lot of property crimes. There were 18 reports of property crimes and 0 of violent crimes in Lambert in 2013, for rates of 0 and 45 per 1,000 residents, respectively.
The town was named for a local homesteader named John Lambert in 1910. The main industry of Lambert is agriculture, with the town producing products like lentils, sunflowers, and alfalfa.
The community has all the necessary facilities, such as a park, fire station, post office, and school. Nonetheless, Lambert faces difficulties like crime, resource scarcity, and slow population growth.
In summary
Based on available data, the following are some of the riskiest neighborhoods in Richland County, Montana. However, it’s important to remember that these figures could not accurately reflect the current situation or the lives of actual residents in these areas.
Numerous factors, such as population density, economic conditions, the presence of law enforcement, and cultural standards, can cause fluctuations in crime rates. Therefore, it’s wise to use caution and common sense whether you’re traveling or living anywhere.