Yeah as someone who lived in NYC and nearby Jersey City for over a decade before moving out, I was very surprised by OP's comment: > are free to roam around th

Yeah as someone who lived in NYC and nearby Jersey City for over a decade before moving out, I was very surprised by OP's comment: > are free to roam around the city at nearly all hours in ways that would have been unthinkable when I was their age. It is incredible how safe NYC is. Yes, the lower / Southern part of Manhattan, below 96th St is fairly safe at all times of the day or even night. But, and this is a big but, stray anywhere out of those "safe" Manhattan neighborhoods and you'll be terrified at how unsafe it is even at dawn or dusk. I've had friends who were mugged early mornings or evenings in areas like Harlem, East Harlem and the Bronx, even when there was a bit of light out. You hear police sirens round the clock in these areas. Anecdotally, when I last visited Manhattan last year, I did notice the following and can confirm that OP is right about this, though I suspect this may improve as life in Manhattan goes back to normal in the months and years to come (maybe?): > There IS, however, a very sad upswing of mentally ill on the streets and subways. They may frighten tourists ...