How Bad was New York City during the crack epidemic? (Ira: crimes, house)

[NYmasters]

OP here im asking about crack epidemic in nyc is despite crime and a mess it was im interested about NYC in the 80s because i wasnt born in 70s to see those " good ol days" or back in the day that why im asking u love reading about the city despite being a craphole back then theres nothing wrong about learning what happened back then. Today it a nice city but its a " disney land for the rich" its not as interesting today as back then, i was born 93 all i did get to see was when i was 5 years old was the World trade center in nyc when i visited , the remaining porn shops and when i was a lil older ride the last if redbird subways - cool subways too i only rode them 4 times now it gone. City was gritty but interesting.

[queensgrl]

Originally Posted by NYmasters

OP here im asking about crack epidemic in nyc is despite crime and a mess it was im interested about NYC in the 80s because i wasnt born in 70s to see those " good ol days" or back in the day that why im asking u love reading about the city despite being a craphole back then theres nothing wrong about learning what happened back then. Today it a nice city but its a " disney land for the rich" its not as interesting today as back then, i was born 93 all i did get to see was when i was 5 years old was the World trade center in nyc when i visited , the remaining porn shops and when i was a lil older ride the last if redbird subways - cool subways too i only rode them 4 times now it gone. City was gritty but interesting.

Good for you for wanting to know about our city's history

Depending upon what neighborhood you were in and how much the crack epidemic touched it, you, your friends or family, everyone's experiences were different.

Unlike young people today, having fun all over NYC, and feeling safe in most places, I never did. I rarely went out at night, and I NEVER rode the MTA at night. My car was broken into or parts removed several times in some really nice neighborhoods, like UES, Sheepshead Bay, Holliswood, which proves that theft for drug money did not discriminate by color or income.

[NYmasters]

Well i did research - non wiki source - the city was in poverty line or worst at thoses time 70s - 90s also it said crime was bad it reached it peak in 1988 and 1990 during the crack era. Anyways sorry about the car and i would loved to see the city back then despite dangers to see first hand but the closes i can get here in the jersey side that looks like 80s and 90 gritty style is Greenville jersey city , looks like bronx of 80s and 90s i nicknamed it bronx of jersey lol , irivington went through the epidemic still gritty today and Camden.

[Ruready4Bklyn]

Originally Posted by SuperMario

Hey are you the old poster Rudbeckia?

No have always been ruready. Came to NYC early 80s and went to middle school in early 90s in Brooklyn, worst years of my life lol. But the city did have a uniqueness about it not saying that crime has to come back or anything.

[BajanYankee]

You could just take a trip to Philadelphia. It's probably very similar to how NYC felt during the 70s and 80s.

1. Abandoned buildings galore

2. Trash everywhere

3. Stray dogs

4. Lawlessness

5. Murder

6. Poor artists and musicians

[queensgrl]

For those who were adults (or older teenagers) during that time, what's your theory on crime in the 80s?

Did crack cause higher crime?

In my experience, crack drove crime to sky high levels -- introducing types of crime that had never been seen before.

Also, who brought crack to NYC? Hindsight has us blaming drug dealers and users but it was trafficked here by others.

Thoughts anyone?

[BajanYankee]

Originally Posted by queensgrl

For those who were adults during that time, what's your theory on the crime of that period.
Did crack cause high crime or was it in place before crack came?

In my experience, crack drove crime to sky high levels -- introducing types of crime that had never been seen before.

Who brought crack to NYC? People blame drug dealers and users but it was trafficked here by others.

Thoughts anyone?

Crack drove the murder rate up everywhere.

[Ruready4Bklyn]

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

You could just take a trip to Philadelphia. It's probably very similar to how NYC felt during the 70s and 80s.

1. Abandoned buildings galore

2. Trash everywhere

3. Lawlessness

4. Murder

5. Poor artists and musicians

I visited Philly twice now and I swear I told someone the same thing. I don't know if it was the bumb sleeping in the middle of the side walk, the crack heads by the abandoned building that gave me that feeling.

[queensgrl]

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

You could just take a trip to Philadelphia. It's probably very similar to how NYC felt during the 70s and 80s.

1. Abandoned buildings galore

2. Trash everywhere

3. Stray dogs

4. Lawlessness

5. Murder

6. Poor artists and musicians

Check out Baltimore as well.

[NYmasters]

So in NYC in 1988 crime did peak high and also peaked the highest in 1990? am i right?