To people living in New York City: How much safer is it now than it used to be 20 years ago?

Question

Is it true that Manhattan and Queens are now very safe places?
What about Brooklyn?

Are the suburbs of NYC still safer than NYC itself?

Answer 1

The City is a great deal safer over all, in all areas, but there are still places that are just not safe.
The Suburbs a only bit safer than they were 20 years ago. The 'Urban' area out side of NYC (ie Paterson, Newark, Jersey City) are not as safe.