Consulates
Crime: Compared to other major cities in the nation, Salt Lake City has relatively low violent crime rates but relatively high rates of property crime. Pioneer Park and the nearby homeless shelter is a popular hangout for drug dealers and should probably be avoided at night. Recent implementation of surveillance cameras in the park has forced some activity southward and eastward, to Washington Square and Library Square.
The west-central and northwest areas of the valley tend to have more crime and gang-related activity, and the downtown areas heading east and south are now experience a high volume of drug-related and robbery activity. Car break-ins are common, even in "safe" neighborhoods; park in well-lit areas, lock up, and store valuables out of sight. For specific and current statistics on crime rates, visit the local police website (http://www.slcpd.com).
Adjacent West Valley City on the west and South Salt Lake on the south have high-crime neighborhoods. Visitors should exercise caution in any unfamiliar area.
Weather: The weather is generally mild and has few extreme weather events. It can become fairly hot during the summer, but humidity levels are low, while winter can see the occasional major, crippling snowstorm. "Black ice" is a particular hazard for motorists during winter storms.
A temperature inversion, where cold heavy air locks warm light air in the valley, are frequent in the winter months and can last for several weeks. During an inversion, the valleys quickly fill up with dense smog that leads to unhealthy air quality and becomes a hazard for those with asthma or other respiratory problems. Strenuous outdoor activity should be avoided during an inversion. Inversions only occur in the valleys and none of Utah's ski resorts experience temperature inversions.
newspapers
Salt Lake Tribune, (http://www.sltrib.com). The Trib is the main Salt Lake daily newspaper
Deseret Morning News, (http://www.desnews.com/). A local daily owned by the LDS. With some local coverage, this paper focuses primarily on LDS related news.
In Utah This Week, (http://www.inthisweek.com/). Weekly paper covering current and upcoming entertainment events.
Salt Lake City Weekly, (http://www.slweekly.com/). Salt Lake's answer to the Village Voice, the Weekly is a paper covering music, theatre, arts, and current events.
Salt Lake Underground, (http://www.slugmag.com). SLUG is a monthly music magazine.
Q Salt Lake, (http://www.qsaltlake.com). Currently the best source of LGBTQ news in Utah.
contact
Free wi fi access is available throughout the Downtown area and provided by many local restaurants and hotels.
The Salt Lake City Main Library (http://www.slcpl.lib.ut.u...) at 210 East 400 S in Downtown +1 801 524-8200, open M-Th 9AM-9PM, F Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 1PM-5PM has computers available for use. Visitors without a library card can use the express computers on the first floor or the free wireless. There are also five branch libraries - for these, visitors can register for an Internet Access Card bring your picture ID; there is no wireless access at the branch libraries yet.