(Lander, WY) – Members of the Fremont County Commission intend to collaborate with the Fremont County Sheriff, the City of Riverton, and Gardens North homeowners to address the high levels of criminal activity that have recently been recorded in the rural neighborhood.
The problem isn’t new, Commissioner Clarence Thomas said this week, citing emails from constituents and “year after year of violence” and other occurrences at Gardens North, a Fremont County community just north of Riverton.
“It’s just ongoing,” Thomas remarked. “I think as a governmental entity … we need to at least look at some ideas (to) intervene.”
For example, Thomas suggested that the county work with the City of Riverton and the Gardens North Homeowners Association to improve city and county law enforcement presence in the community.
County officials should also assist Gardens North homeowners in determining the best way to “(get) rid of all the vacant trailers that are just sitting” in the neighborhood, by offering spaces “where people can hang out or party,” he proposed.
Either way, Thomas stated, “We should be a part of this.”
“We should say, ‘Hey, it’s time to stop – and it’s time for us to make sure it stops,'” according to him.
Commissioner Larry Allen requested that Thomas contact Sheriff Ryan Lee, Riverton city authorities, and the Gardens North homeowners association to find a solution to bring the situation under control.
HOA ‘ridicule’
Part of the issue at the subdivision is that “the HOA has fallen into, basically, ridicule,” Gardens North resident Jerry Alley said, explaining that about 80 percent of the homes in the neighborhood are owned by non-residents who aren’t invested in the community.
“Until we can get those folks involved in what’s going on on their property, I don’t think we stand a chance,” according to him. “And I don’t know how to go about it.
“You can respond, ‘Well, we’ll fine you.'” But they’re not paying their water bill in the first place, so why do you think they’ll pay a fine?
Commissioner Jennifer McCarty said she was aware of the scenario Alley was referring to.
“That’s one of the worst, worst areas in Fremont County,” she told me. “The majority of those places should be condemned. … They don’t have plumbing, sewage, or anything. They should be sentenced.”
According to Commission attorney Nathan Maxon, the Sheriff has the right to condemn homes, and Allen believes the county planning department and public health nurse may also be able to weigh in on these problems.
