Boise, Idaho also known as the “City of Trees”! Growing up in Boise, I have always felt relatively safe, and well aware of my surroundings. The majority of the people living in the Treasure Valley tend to be very genuine, friendly, and for the most part extremely helpful. It is not unusual for a complete stranger to cross your path, with a bright smile clear across their face, or even complement you on your sundress. Our community as a whole seems to be like a close-nit family, who is always looking out for one another. In 2006, an article from CNN Money, rated Boise as the “Number 8. Best places to live in”. We have great real estate prices that tend to lead more and more people from different states such as California and Texas to call Boise their new home. The Boise School District has always had great overall reviews, and from my own personal experiences I would have to agree. All of these signs would make one believe there would be a low risk of gang and violence in our smaller community, but after a bit of research I found there to be many difference cases of violence throughout the Treasure Valley. There are thousands of battered women’s programs across the country that works to provide emergency shelter and other services for violent families. In Idaho, there are 24 such programs with a variety of different services to help the community. “Research shows that violence can be prevented or reduced when authorities intervene. Otherwise, the cycle of violence and abuse can continue against you and your children and may increase in frequency and intensity. If you are a victim of domestic violence, break the cycle, and ask for help” (Women’s Life House, Boise Idaho). I was completely unaware of how many different types of shelters there were around Boise. This would be a major indicator that there are many different acts of crime and violence around Boise. But unfortunately like any other metropolitan city, that is to be expected. Gangs on the other hand, are rarely talked about here, but do exist. About 45 minutes outside of Boise, there is a smaller community called Nampa that has had the reputation of having many gang members, and violent outbreaks. Nampa seems to have a lot more people in the work field who are just making enough money to get by, as well as a variety of different ethnicity groups compared to Boise’s relatively white community. No matter where one lives, they will always be faced with violence… its inevitable. If we lived in a perfect world there would be none, but we don’t. Its how we as a community choose to handle these acts of violence, and gang related acts. We must stick together, and teach children at a young age to trust, show leadership, and to have self-esteem, daily in our schools. Keeping the community well aware of what is going on will help raise awareness and hopefully help cut violence in schools as well as the community down.

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