Actually, I think your clarifications only further substantiate the charge of obtuse racism since the demographics of those on the Hudson is markedly different from the rest of Washington Heights; same as the crowd that "famously" moved in to "formerly" bad Williamsburg.

I think a tourist is actually more likely to be the victim of a pickpocket in Times Square, than Jamaica, Queens but realizing Time Square is the draw and not Queens, most have tailored their advice keeping that in mind. In this instance, seems it is your slightly hostile advice that is neither useful nor knowledgeable.

Interesting graphic. It's useful only if you slide the bar over to 2009, however. As mentioned, the city has changed dramatically in the last 10 years.

Murder has consistenly been under 600 since 2003. If you look at the 1980's and early 1990's where people's impressiions for crime in NY seem be frozen,homicides where in the 2,000 a year range.

TG, your comment is no more helpful nor informed than jroth's. If you or anyone else wishes to be direct in your libels toward me, please do so. Otherwise, keep your "obtuse racism" nonsense to yourself because it is merely a shibboleth and a meaningless label on my specific comments that is meant to do no more than insult.

My clarifications do not "substantiate the charge of obtuse racism" and your commentary only demonstrates your ignorance. Bed-Stuy, Ocean Hill, Brownsville, Washington Heights, Jamaica and other "bad" areas all have, as I said above, MULTIETHNIC communities (that's what polyglot means). It is nearly impossible in New York City to have communities completely segregated by race or ethnicity because of the nature of the city's demographics. Yet YOU and jroth seem to associate them with a particular race or races.

You have now demonstrated why no one can even discuss troubled inner-city areas in this country -- because even if the areas are multi-ethnic and multi-racial, which the ones I referenced are, someone will STILL accuse the person bringing up the subject of being a racist.

Perhaps instead of looking at the races or ethnicities of people who live in the neighborhoods I mentioned, you should want to look at the income levels and socioeconomic data and crime statistics, each of which will more accurately paint a picture of an area than the simpler pallette from which you and jroth paint.

My advice was simple and not hostile: tourists who will stay in Manhattan and not travel to bad areas like the ones I named, will be relatively safe from violent crime. In the context of the largest city in the United States, with a collective American memory of how NYC used to be, the level of "safety" in the city is nothing short of remarkable. Those who wish to sightsee in more dangerous areas (and NYC has easily accessible crime stats on the web that clearly demonstrate the crime dropoffs since 1990) have assumed the risk.

Russ - it is classically well known that those who invoke some sort of racist comment always insist that there is nothing racist about their statements. You clearly designated certain areas of this city as "unsafe" for visitors and (as I am sure you are aware) those areas are by and large inhabited by minority groups. And if you look at the crime statistics involved they generally are family incidents or between people who know each other - not casual visitors to the area. Years ago I had assignments in several of the areas you mention - I never felt unsafe - but rather experienced friendly attitudes. BTW - I just took a walk in Carl Schurz Park - Upper East Side in the 80's - there was a poster there warning about a predator mugger in the area with a mug shot asking if anyone can identify him. We do our city a disservice when we spread word about certain "unsafe areas". That said - hey - I wouldn't walk in Central Park after dark.

Jroth, I neither made nor invoked a "racist" comment, nor did I encourage the epithet, you offered the epithet and you are wrong. Until and unless you know me, know my attitudes, my family, my background, my outlook, etc., you have neither any call nor basis for labeling and libeling me in the manner in which you did.

As for what you say about the nature of the crimes, that is entirely true. And I know full well the number of times I walked through the Gowanus projects (see Clockers, the movie) without incident when New York was not as safe as it is today. But that was not an advisable trip for a tourist.

Wow. I started a point-by-point rebuttal and realized I possess the ability but neither the time nor desire to follow on this faraway tangent.

My very valid and simple point: it is unlikely that the OP is likely to find many hotel deals in Bed-Stuy of which she need be wary, or find herself and her granddaughter accidentally wandering off into Brownsville, so it seems inflammatory and unnecessary to warn of the dangers lurking in these neighborhoods. Furthermore it seems a little insensitive (to perhaps even fellow Fodorites right here on the board) to refer to their neighborhoods as pits.

I think the OP disappeared

I have to step in on Washington Heights. Yes, there are some blocks that are still gritty. But northern Manhattan is rapidly gentifying and I wouldn't hesitate to visit tourist spots there.

(When I bought an apartment on west 94th St people told me it was way too dangerous (and there were drug dealers on the corners in the middle of the night for a brief time) but now it's solidly middle class, not to say upscale - with multi-million dollar co-ops throughout the area and the are you need to go to now for good deals is upper Manhattan (the economy willing).

There are some areas I wouldn;t go into in the outer boroughs - but I wouldn;t hesitate at Washington Heights.

Well my first post might as well be to stand up for my new neighborhood. I just moved to Washington Heights after 16 years in what is now the "meatpacking district" and have no problem with my 80 year old mother coming up to visit. Yes, there are some blocks east of Broadway that can be described as "gritty' but I've shop all the time along St. Nicholas Ave and never had a problem. Truth be told I'd rather be here in than in my former neighborhood.

cheers.

Polyglot, but the way, does not mean multi-ethnic, it means "many languages". While often that implies multiple ethnicities, it does not, in fact, guarantee that.

If you want to avoid charges of racism, maybe you shouldn't say racist things.

And I LOVE Washington Heights.

Racism: hatred or intolerance of another race or races; or a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usu. involving the idea that one's own race is superior.

You guys accusing BigRuss of racism are good - to be able to determine that on the basis of his posts here is a true talent.

Point is - please be careful throwing around the word racist - it is a very loaded word and shouldn't be used lightly.

Happy train, I said nothing racist.

You, however, are a libeler.