and the subways??
2006-12-02 17:25:15 · 8 answers · asked by heyhhc 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ New York City
I travel to NYC often for my job and as every big city it depends on what area you are in. AS far as Manhattan I always fill safe and have never seen or heard of anyone being pick-pocketed. However it is always a good ideal to be vigilant. Have fun.
2006-12-02 19:26:06 · answer #1 · answered by iceman 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
LewAR26502 gave a great answer and made a really good point about the touristy/high traffic areas. You're more likely to be a victim of that type of crime if you are in an area like that. There are criminals that make a career out of targeting people who look like tourists for obvious reasons, one being that some tourists carry a lot of cash. I feel that I'm more likely to get mugged in the middle of the day in a crowd in a touristy area than I am in my not so great neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Most of my friends have had at least one bad thing happen to them while living in the city but most of those cases were because they did something a little risky in the first place. Late at night, alone and possibly drunk, falling asleep on the subway, walking across a bridge at 2am, obviously having an expensive item in a secluded or dangerous area, etc.. No one I know has ever actually been pick-pocketed or scammed the way you see on TV (at least not since the 1980s) but they have been jumped or held up at gun point because they were in one of the situations I listed above.
Most every scary situation I've been in has been because I was the only person on the street at night. It's because I live here and feel safe that I start to take stupid chances like that. If you're coming here as a tourist you're probably not going to be wandering alone at 3am by a cemetery in the Bronx (a friend got attacked doing that) I've never had a problem on the subway but I know people that have. Again, it was late at night and they were alone, drunk or in a 'bad' neighborhood. Once and awhile there is a random crazy person somewhere (like the machete guy awhile back) but that's because there are MILLIONS of people here.
2006-12-03 14:44:11 · answer #2 · answered by Pico 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. I've felt completely safe any time I've ever visited. The only time I was a bit uncomfortable is when I had my two young children with me and we inadvertently got on the wrong train and were obviously headed into some gang areas. You just have to use your common sense about basic safety. Same as you would do at home. Even in small-town America today, people have to follow basic personal safety precautions, so this is not really any different. We have always found New Yorkers to be so extremely kind and helpful to us, as we have been obvious tourists. Most haven't even waited for us to screw up the courage to ask for help. They could see when we needed it, and they took us under their wing.
2006-12-03 10:48:19 · answer #3 · answered by Rvn 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have lived in New York City all of my life and can unequivocally state that it is a very safe city. However, that does not mean that there are not certain neighborhoods (mostly outer boroughs) that are "less safe" than others, nor should one not be alert and aware of people and their surroundings at all times.
The crime rate has really dropped in New York, yet of course there still are muggings and purse snatching that occur. As expected, many may occur in touristy/high-traffic areas, because a criminal would want to seek a person who does not seem familiar with their surroundings.
As long as a visitor walks with confidence about themselves (walk as though you know the area and your destination), are aware of their surroundings and other people around them, do not unnecessarily flash money or jewelry, then your visit here will be a pleasant one. Hey, you can even talk to a few of us or ask us directions, we are not as anti-social as we are made out to aw well -- lol.
2006-12-03 09:30:06 · answer #4 · answered by LewAR26502 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you are more likely to be hit by a cab than have you pocket picked
don't believe everything you see on tv otherwise you will never go anywhere because beings from outer space or the past or future would constantly invading or attacking cities
2006-12-03 08:47:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It used to be pretty bad. Giuliani cleaned the city up. It is now one of the safest cities in America. However, you still have to be careful there.
2006-12-03 08:41:18 · answer #6 · answered by Albert 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it's super gentrified and much safer than it was when I grew up there in the 80's.
2006-12-03 10:38:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Stay in Manhattan, mostly tourist area, use common sense, you will be safe!
2006-12-03 03:43:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋