I live on Long Island, and am very familiar with NYC (assuming that's where you live). Despite its' reputation, New York City is safer from violent crime as it's been in a long time (non-terrorist related.) I looked up per capita violent crime statistics, and saw just about all of the safest states are here in the northeast. It's just different in other parts of the country.

Think about it. Do they ever film 'COPS' in Tarrytown, White Plains, or Great Neck?