I also live in a place with a high crime rate and what's worse, were systematically being disarmed.
I've just returned from a 2 months stint in Europe, and the sad thing is that everywhere the crime rate is just on the up & up.
Just one point that I think is important; the media reports on newsworthy incidents, so that normally means the "bad" get reported but not the good. This tends to create a skewed perception in peoples minds and exaggerates the situation.
Despite things being very bad here, I've never felt the need to dissuade foreigners from coming here, but just make them aware of the situation, and tell them to be alert and observant and don't act like stupid tourists...............or easy targets!
Drew, dont point a gun at me!!