The difference is in the level of violence. The property crime is ubiquitous in SF, but it's largely crimes of opportunity. Having something stolen when nobod

The difference is in the level of violence. The property crime is ubiquitous in SF, but it's largely crimes of opportunity. Having something stolen when nobody is looking is very common while being mugged (at knifepoint or gunpoint) is quite rare. I once directly confronted a would be bike thief and he merely walked away. I would not recommend such confrontation in other cities where the possibility of violence was greater.