New York declared the safest city in the United States

[dnuggett]

"The city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, declared the Big Apple the safest city in the United States as he announced the crime figures for 2002 on Tuesday."


The scoop

 

[GrGr]

If I lived in New York I would move out tonight after a remark like that (can you say "dirty nuke") :Q

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: GrGr
If I lived in New York I would move out tonight after a remark like that (can you say "dirty nuke") :Q

 

[XZeroII]

Maybe he meant 'Safest city within a 5 mile radius'?

 

[rjain]

NY is damn safe these days. Used to be that you couldn't walk down 11th Ave after midnight without a weapon. Now I walk down 10th at all times with not even an ounce of fear. Yeah, 11th is a bit scary after midnight, still, but it's all warehouses, factories, car dealerships, car washes, gas stations, and parking lots. Oh, and I live next to the projects. Northern Harlem (past 135th or so) and South Bronx are a different story, but Morningside Heights (around Columbia U) is very safe. Even in the recent blackout, there were only a few murders and lootings. Compare that to 1977. Would Chicago or LA be that safe during a total citywide blackout?

 

[dnuggett]

Even in the recent blackout, there were only a few murders and lootings. Compare that to 1977. Would Chicago or LA be that safe during a total citywide blackout?

I am going to have to say no. I do not live in NY so I am speaking from what I read, but it is my understanding that Giuliani and Bloomberg have done/did a fine job committing resources to police, fire and rescue. They made this a prioriy, whereas in some other large cities (I don't know about Chicago and LA) the resources are committed secondarily depending on budget constraints. Am I far off here New Yorkers?

 

[rjain]

Well, Bloomberg is making significant budget cuts to both fire and police (more significant to fire). I don't know about rescue. A number of fire houses have been closed in the outer boroughs, and those companies are often called on for backup in Manhattan (e.g., 9-11). Still, there seems to be enough police force to keep most of Manhattan quite safe, as long as they get over this stupid Operation Atlas crap where the whole precint patrols one block in order to "scare terrorists", leaving the rest of the blocks unpatrolled.

 

[Gaard]

<<Even in the recent blackout, there were only a few murders and lootings.>>



I'm sorry, but having grown up in the midwest, this statement seems a little comical and sad at the same time.

The top story in the news this morning was that vandals painted graphitti all over one of our schools. Now that's worthy of ourage!

 

[rjain]

Manhattan has as many people as the whole suburban population of a state in the midwest, all packed into a single, small island. A little strife is bound to occur, especially in the traditionally violent northern tip. Also, there's actual diversity in Manhattan (even though it is the most white of all the boroughs).