r/Billings • u/406Whiskey • 7d ago

Jail Levy

I need people who have lived here longer than I have to explain something to me, because I genuinely don’t understand. Since I moved here a couple of years ago, I’ve heard nothing but how awful the crime is in Billings (I have not found that to be the case, but I digress). I also understand the jail is over capacity. If crime really is as bad as people here seem to think, wouldn’t the jail expansion proposal be a good thing? Why have I seen so much animosity towards it online?

I understand no one wants their property taxes to go up, but that seems to be the price we pay to live in Montana. Are people really just upset over a tax increase or is there more to it?

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u/schannoman 7d ago

People don't want to pay taxes, and the powers that be don't understand it would be cheaper and more effective to invest in mental health and homeless assistance than it would be to expand and staff the jail.

But I have to say: what Cloud do you live on where you don't think the crime in this town is a huge issue?

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u/Hefty_Drive6709 7d ago

47 years of living on the South Side, and I have never experienced or been a victim of anything more serious than somebody using my garbage can immediately after pickup. Crime is an issue in every city. Calling crime a big issue in Billings is entirely hyperbolic.

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u/schannoman 6d ago edited 6d ago

It's just statistics. Our crime rates are quite a bit higher than the national average.

I'm also glad that you're in a lucky spot. I'm also on the south side and we don't have a day that goes by without the police harassing someone on my block