Why this image of NYC as a crime ridden cesspool?

[slackerinabox]

OP must not have been around for the 70's and 80's.

...also the 20's-40's.

such long-lasting stereotypes are tough to overcome.

I grew up in a very working class neighborhood in the 80s (Queens). You're right, my childhood was full of "don't go into the city at night!," but that was 20 years ago. I remember the early to mid 90s being a huge turning point for the city

 

[darkxshade]

I've lived in NYC my whole life... 29 years and personally it's been really amazing seeing how the city has changed over the years. I was only a kid in the 80's but the images never leave your memory, especially the grafitti. It didn't help that I knew the city was dangerous and as a kid, everyone was towering over me like giants, I thought I was going to become a statistic at any given moment. As I grew, the city grew with me, it's certainly a unique experience and perspective from everyone elses. I have to give Guliani a lot of credit, he ruffled a few feathers but he cleaned up NY quite well. I wouldn't mind if he was our mayor for another decade or two.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Yeah I can imagine Vancouver being pretty bad too, never been in that part of Canada but would love to visit one of these days, I heart they have insanely huge trees, would be cool to see. Then there's the other side, halifax, it is actually quite friendly there, at least the part I was in (harbor area).

That's exactly my point...apart from a few small areas, it's generally very safe.

I have heard good things about Halifax but even as a small city, it has its seedy areas too.

What's really interesting is that there isn't much differentiation here between types of crime. Most people are assuming "violent" crime. In the large European cities I traveled through a couple years ago, I was far more concerned about being pickpocketed than being mugged or assaulted.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

You're either the amongst the world's biggest wimps, or are one of those people who think they're "in the know" about downtown but have actually never done much more than shop in the Eaton Centre and then head straight home.

I've gone to university in downtown Toronto from 1999 - 2005 and have both worked and lived in the very heart of downtown from 2005 onwards. I've never once run into any trouble that made me fear for my personal safety. You might want to let all of the thousands of clubgoing guys and girls who empty onto the streets at 2 AM nearly every weekday that their lives are constantly in danger.

RS lives in a pretty small town in Ontario IIRC, so I think he's a bit uninformed here.

Having visited a number of Canadian cities, I agree that Toronto is not bad at all, but I will avoid going back to Regina and Winnipeg if at all possible - crime of all types is far higher in both cities.

 

[BoberFett]

The OP was talking about New York's image as a dangerous city, not a flaming homosexual city.

 

[rh71]

Most of Manhattan isn't dangerous. You can be a tourist at night and never feel threatened. It's probably because the city that never sleeps has tons of people around to keep from feeling secluded. I felt more scared wandering into Tampa at night. Now some parts of the Bronx and of course Harlem is dangerous. Oh, East NY in Brooklyn too... drove through there, but thankfully it was daytime. Murder capital of NY.

 

[zinfamous]

I grew up in a very working class neighborhood in the 80s (Queens). You're right, my childhood was full of "don't go into the city at night!," but that was 20 years ago. I remember the early to mid 90s being a huge turning point for the city

so like others have said, that was about when Giuliani showed up, cleaned up the graffiti and smut shops, and sent all the homeless away to some sausage-packing plant...or maybe just Denver. Who knows, but they sure as shit disappeared for a spell.

 

[Colt45]

so like others have said, that was about when Giuliani showed up, cleaned up the graffiti and smut shops, and sent all the homeless away to some sausage-packing plant...or maybe just Denver. Who knows, but they sure as shit disappeared for a spell.

As a curiosity, violent crime in NYC peaked 18 years after Roe vs. Wade, and fell sharply after that.

I know correlation isn't causation, but it's an interesting thought. :hmm: