hayjax

This may sound silly to y'all, but I have a question. A friend and I are planning 3 days in New York. We have been told by different people that you should not have your camera hang around your neck when touring the city because you will look like a tourist (which we are) and will be a target for mugging. We are spending one day unguided and will frequent the typical tourist sites. I have a very nice 35mm camera and I would love to take pictures of whatever I would like to. Is this true or are they just trying to scare us? We are staying at the Wingate by Whyhdam on W 35th St. We do plan to use the subway system to go to the Central Park area, etc. We will do all our sightseeing in Manhattan. Another suggestion they said was to wear a backpack on the front of your body and let your camera dangle in there which looks absolutely ridiculous and I think makes me look like a target as an idiot. I was really looking forward to going but now I am not so sure. I was raised in Miami so I do have some safety common sense or does that not matter in New York? After you quit laughing, I would like your feedback. Do I leave my nice camera and lense in the hotel locked in the suitcase and take a small camera or will it be safe to take it sightseeing? Also, I heard you should not wear a fanny pack. Advice on this too, please. Thank you in advance for your answers.

NewbE

Well, no one should wear a fanny pack under any circumstances anywhere! ;-)

New York is overrun with tourists, most with cameras and many with backpacks, though not worn in the front. So while it may be impossible not to look like a tourist, you'll fit right in, and the city is very safe. I don't think it's a silly question, as many people remember the "old", crime-ridden Manhattan, but with your Miami savvy, you'll be A-OK. I haven't felt unsafe in NYC in a long time.

nyer

Muggings in NY,especially any place a tourist might be, most hours of the day and night are extremely rare.
NYC is full of tourists and many are very easily recognizable as tourist.
On a practical level, to safeguard your camera from damage (trains get crowded, it could get damaged, dropped, have food spilled on it) why not carry a small bag or backpack (on your shoulder, not in front!)anyway? You;ll probably want to carry a small umbrella, water etc anyway.
Fanny packs are not very stylish, and will definitely "mark" you as a tourist, but so what, if that's what you want to carry...

Centralparkgirl

I am not laughing! Anyone can be a target or victim anywhere. You just need to use common sense wherever you go. As a native who takes the subway all the time, I always keep my possessions close to me and secure. DH, on the other hand, is a victim waiting to happen, keeping his wallet in his back pocket in crowded areas.

I would use the camera, but I wouldn't carry it around late at night, walking down a deserted street - common sense. I love the park, but I don't walk through the area called the bramble because it is too quiet; I'm always in areas where there are lots of people.

I think you will be fine. I don't use backpacks and prefer a bag with a shoulder strap. IMO, a backpack on a crowded subway can be picked like a wallet. There are tourists everywhere in the city and NY is relatively safe for a city this size. And areas like Time Square have a big police presence.

Enjoy your visit!

janie

Yes, you have been misinformed. Who gave you such "helpful" advice?

NYC is actually much safer than Miami and most other medium sized and large cities in the US. Even the people coming from small towns do--and should--feel safe here, but sometimes those coming from less populated areas could use some basic "street smarts" lessons--hey, we'll even teach you how to jaywalk!

Aduchamp1

No one can assure another's safety but your friends have a 1980's view of NYC. NYC is the safest large city in America. I walk around with my camera on occasion and I keep under my arm to protect it against other pedestrians.

Now for some more misconceptions. There are many ways to spot tourists. They do not walk with purpose but with interest or with a little confusion or awe. But watch NY'ers and then look at tourists and you will see a difference.

They are often in groups dressed for comfort in business areas.

They look at people on the subways. An unwritten rule of NY is do not stare at anyone on the subway.

You do not see a lot of NY'ers with visors or with blue jeans and whote sneakers. There are some of course but not many and they tend to be older.

SusanSDG

hayjax, look for Aduchamp's rules of the subway and sidewalk. THEY are excellent advice!!
I take my two skinny blonde Midwesterners to NYC and send them off on the subway alone-relax and enjoy your trip!

Orlando_Vic

Fanny pack? Absolutely not!
That's a sure giveaway in any city.
Whenever we see a person with a "belly bag", we know immediately that they are a tourist.

Ditto with the camera slung around your neck, but it's not quite as geeky.

ellenem

It's more of a fashion issue than a security issue.

rkkwan

Locals don't carry a large camera with them when they go out. So, if you don't want to look like a tourist, leave your camera at home. Problem solved.

nytraveler

First, NYC is the safest large city in the country - much safer than Miami. But - you can run into piclpockets anywhere - esp crwoded subway stations or Times Square. And they hed straight for people with backpacks or fanny packs - clearly tourists.

Do not wear a backpack either front or back- they are a target and easily slit and things taken out. Also do not wear a fanny pack - same problem and they look ridiculous.

Women should use regular shoulder purse, men can take a daypack that goes over the shoulder if they need one (pockets aren't enough?).

You are perfectly safe with a camera around your neck - although it might get very hot and uncomfortable.
Everyone I know - except professionals - uses a tiny digital just to avoid the size/weight of larger cameras. They work just fine for travel snapshots.

(If there are several of you, you might share one smallish daypack and take turns carrying it.

And, believe me, you will look - to us - like a tourist no matter what type of pack or purse or whatever you have.

(Real New Yorkers never look up at anything, don;t pull out maps on street corners, walk briskly - and never several across - and do not stand on the corner waiting for the light to change. We're the ones you see crossing 42 St in the middle of the block against the light or pouring out of the subway or into office buildings carrying our Starbucks.)

toedtoes

I use a digital SLR and don't like to just carry it around my neck since it can easily swing and hit against things (and the part most likely to hit and get injured is the expensive lens). I would look at a simple camera bag that will hold your camera and lens and maybe even some other gear.

Look at the Lowepro Slingshot or the Tamrac Velocity for slingbags. They are easy to get your camera in and out as needed without having to put your bag down. Another option is the Lowepro Road Runner - it's a belt bag and you can pull your camera out without having to stop walking.

Aduchamp1

Thank you Susan, that was very kind of you.

Aduchamp1

I have a theory on how NOT to look like a tourist or at least a tourist that no one would mess with.

Carry a couple of rolls of toilet paper in a clear plastic bag. Only a Ny'er would be shopping for it and if you are tourist no mugger in his right mind would touch you.

Centralparkgirl

<< if you are tourist no mugger in his right mind would touch you. >>

I think you mean if you are not a tourist!

So, how was I held up at gunpoint years ago? I know. It's because I lived in Brooklyn then and ventured into the big city. Shame on me.

Aduchamp1

CPGirl-

How many years ago were you mugged?

And were you carrying toilet paper?

And I meant what I wrote.

djkbooks

I visited NYC frequently in the 70's, then not again until the late 90's and could not believe the changes!

You'll be just fine with a camera around your neck while out and about. Can't comment on the subway, as we ride the buses and don't worry about anything.

I would agree with wearing your backpack in front, just so you are aware of it. It's really annoying when folks with backpacks swing around and whack you with it.

These days, we travel with a tiny camera - because it works so well, and because there are so many awesome inexpensive photographs available all over - much better than I could ever capture.

Centralparkgirl

Aduchamp1 - I think I'm tired - I still can't read it the way you meant it.

Anyway, it was about 1976 or 77. behind Lincoln Center near the projects. I was on my way to the ballet. I never knew there was a police station under LC. I got a view of it that night.

I hope I'm not scaring hayjax.

I don't recall carrying toilet paper. I think I was wearing gloves though and carrying a purse. I guess I should have had a couple of rolls to ward off the demons.

suze

Well, I would NOT wear a fanny pack or carry a backpack on the front of you. Those are both ridiculous ideas imho!!

I hate toting around a huge camera, but that's nothing about safety, just more hassle that it's worth. A small point & shoot is sufficient for my photo op needs.

Why not get a normal "messenger bag" styled case (with a strap long enough it can go across your torso)? That's good for male or female, and a reasonable way to carry whatever with you around the city while sightseeing.

Aduchamp1

Those were tough years and those were tough projects. As you probably know the housing was built as part of the agreement to allow Lincoln Center to be built there.