I stay out of crappy neighborhoods, especially after dark. If your area of your city qualifies as crime-ridden, that is a hint to move elsewhere. It simply isn't a major concern. I got my car broken into several times at work 20+ years ago, so I started getting there early so I could get a spot inside the secure perimeter. I moved out of the apartments that were going section-8 to get away from people like that. Only been broken into at a shopping center once, and they were idiots- used a slap-hammer on the hatchback, when the doors were unlocked. Knock on wood, haven't been a crime victim in over 5 years, since I moved to this blue-collar subdivision with the nosy retirees and the dogs. (Only downside is I have to sit outside on Halloween to pass out candy, because a single guy in a house still gets the fisheye from 'normal' people.)