FBI's most dangerous Iowa cities and towns

Sigmapolis

Minister of Economy
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Aug 10, 2011
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This is why people raise families in Iowa. Because towns like Boone are in the top 10 in Iowa.
The only thing dangerous about Boone is the Racetrack and the railroad tracks.
Not sure why Boone gets such a bad name to be honest.

Its close to a major university
has a Junior College
located on a major 4 lane highway.
has the scenic valley and Ledges State park
a couple golf courses. (one is really nice)
7 oaks Rec
National Guard location

Precisely. I was born in Ames but grew up in Boone and, save the difference in the quality of high schools, all of those served me really well. Granted, if I could come back I'd probably pick Ames for a couple of reasons (better labor market, closer to ISU), but Boone would work fine, too.

-I commuted to ISU, so I graduated zero debt for 5.5 years through my master's
-I started as a sophomore because of credits taken at DMACC, which is a well-run and nice junior college
-US-30 gets you to I-35 in 30 minutes and (down 169 or 35) to I-80 in an hour, so an easy commute to Ames, pushing it a little bit if you're going down to Des Moines, but I know people that do it
-the valley itself is wonderful for all sorts of outdoor activities (boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, etc.)
-the National Guard base, the railroad, and the manufacturing firms in the northeast portion of town mean the economy around there still looks like the 50s--relatively flat income distribution, white men with only a high school degree can get good jobs--and everybody seems to have major nostalgia for that era, so what's not to like?
-then, imagine that with modern technology, an advanced sociological structure, and higher incomes without much of a change in the cost of living/housing prices to go with it

= Boone
 

kirk89gt

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Feb 15, 2014
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Grew up around Boone. Watched as the county (Boone) became the meth capital of Iowa (~15 years ago). While meth still can be an issue, it is harder to produce now due to controlling of the precursors. Recently they have had, what I would consider, way too many murders for a town of 14,000 ish.

That being said, would have no reservations about living there. The post showing the violent crime stats and how CB stacked up with some truly undesirable places to live (perspective brings reality into the mix) shows that even the worst of Iowa isn't that bad on the grand scheme of things.

Presently live / work in FTD, and the town is doing quite a bit to shed its past reputation (economic development, marketing, etc.). Still has a ways to go, but trending in the right direction. The majority of the issues are located in a particular part of town. Once you are outside that, it isn't too bad. In a way we are looking to make strides like Sioux City has been / is doing. Quite a few similarities. River / packing house towns that are no longer packing house towns, newer industries, revitalizing down town, attracting people / businesses to the areas, cleaning up eye sores around town, infrastructure improvements, and so on.
 

bigdaddykane

Active Member
Mar 3, 2014
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Grew up around Boone. Watched as the county (Boone) became the meth capital of Iowa (~15 years ago). While meth still can be an issue, it is harder to produce now due to controlling of the precursors. Recently they have had, what I would consider, way too many murders for a town of 14,000 ish.
@Cychedelia
 

CoKane

Well-Known Member
Oct 26, 2013
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Cedar Rapids
You know they should post a list of the top 10 cities in Iowa for White Collar Crime. I'm not scared of anyone in Iowa running up on me trying to rob me or assault me in any city in this state. I'm afraid of the cowards that run the businesses in big cities in Iowa and the corruption that goes on that no one knows about. The crimes you read about in the paper or the people who's mugshots are posted are the least of my worries. Their bad decisions happen because the majority of them became addicted to a drug.

Over the river and through the woods to the cave we go.
 

BLRNerd

Well-Known Member
Apr 25, 2014
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Grew up around Boone. Watched as the county (Boone) became the meth capital of Iowa (~15 years ago). While meth still can be an issue, it is harder to produce now due to controlling of the precursors. Recently they have had, what I would consider, way too many murders for a town of 14,000 ish.

To be honest, I live in Boone and I think I live right by a what seems to be a former drughouse. Police still go over to the house to check if the current residents are hiding any drugs too.

There was this one time when about 3 cops cars were over there, we were worried something was about to go down so we closed as many windows as we could and stayed away from the windows.

And oh yeah, we've had too many murders recently. At least a couple that have gotten statewide attention.
 

Sigmapolis

Minister of Economy
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To be honest, I live in Boone and I think I live right by a what seems to be a former drughouse. Police still go over to the house to check if the current residents are hiding any drugs too.

There was this one time when about 3 cops cars were over there, we were worried something was about to go down so we closed as many windows as we could and stayed away from the windows.

And oh yeah, we've had too many murders recently. At least a couple that have gotten statewide attention.

I remember when I would open the local paper in high school (early 2000s decade) and there would be a meth lab bust like every week in Boone County.

Those days are, for the most part, over, though. There might still be a few around but they cracked down hard.
 

Wesley

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Apr 12, 2006
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Omaha
Anecdotal, but I had a summer job that required me to canvass houses all over both Sioux City and Council Bluffs once...

The "scary" (i.e., Hispanic) neighborhoods in Sioux City that nobody else was willing to walk in were filled with some of the nicest people I've ever met. I was frequently offered something to drink or even invited into peoples' homes for dinner, and it was common to see young families outside playing in the yard. I was never threatened once.

In contrast, I was told that I was trespassing multiple times in Council Bluffs and instructed to leave or have the police called on me, and even had a guy show me his shotgun on me and tell me to "get the **** off his property while I still can". My car was broken into twice while parked on residential streets. People were rarely outside, and if they came to the door at all, it was usually after skeptically peeking through the curtains. Just a bunch of white trash scumbags.

I lived one time in Redlands, Cali and went twice to watch filming of the Solid Gold Dancers in a month in near hollywood. The first time the hoods stole my CB and the second time they took the rooftop antenna. I did not replace it.
 

roundball

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2013
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Iowa City area
I lived one time in Redlands, Cali and went twice to watch filming of the Solid Gold Dancers in a month in near hollywood. The first time the hoods stole my CB and the second time they took the rooftop antenna. I did not replace it.

The lesson here: CB radios are for tools.
 

00clone

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Apr 12, 2011
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Iowa City area
I lived one time in Redlands, Cali and went twice to watch filming of the Solid Gold Dancers in a month in near hollywood. The first time the hoods stole my CB and the second time they took the rooftop antenna. I did not replace it.


I'm guessing Boone might also be a high crime area for CB thefts.
 

CyDude16

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2008
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Heads in the sky
No one is trying to compare these towns to Chicago, east St. Louis, etc. good lord.

but for iowa standards these towns suck.... Having worked two different jobs throughout my time in college in Boone. I hate that place.. Absolutely dreaded bartending there.
 

roundball

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Dec 8, 2013
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Iowa City area
I remember when I would open the local paper in high school (early 2000s decade) and there would be a meth lab bust like every week in Boone County.

Those days are, for the most part, over, though. There might still be a few around but they cracked down hard.

Right? I mean, who reads the local paper anymore?
 

Cychedelia

Active Member
Aug 26, 2014
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Cedar Rapids
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