Had to chuckle when I read about this Rushkoff's public ordeal. It seems that B'klyn has become overrun with migrants from other parts of the country. Many of them are shocked or appalled that crime still exists even in the so-called exclusive areas in the BK.
My family left the city(Manhattan) to the safe haven of Park Slope section of BK in 79. It was much different during this time. I wonder how Rushkoff would have thought about his quaint Park Slope during those early years? Park Slope certainly didn't look very much like the gentrified village that people drool over today. Heck, Park Slope was just a sliver which ran from Prospect Park West to somewhere on 4th Ave. Times have certainly changed. Though, I no longer live in the Slope, I do visit fairly frequently. I never feel threatened and I rarely worry about crime. Dunno, but it seems that people move to BK, and live there only a few years and become instant authorities.
However, your best defense is common sense. I could be wrong, but my hypothesis is that gentrification gives folks a false sense of security. Recognize that you live in an area which has a fairly large disparity of wealth. If you're not sure, peep Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, East New York, and a few other places. Clear your vision.
Discussion on Brian Lehrer Show courtesy of WNYC
Al, Sometimes people realize that they do not have to live a life looking over their shoulder, or stashing cash in different parts of their body, in fear of getting robed. Their is NO safe place in this world, but where I live here in Okinawa, is a FAR CRY from the stress and fear of living in NYC. And I would not have it any other way. The chance of my kids going threw the trials and tribulations we went through as kids is slim to none. It is trully beautiful to see them grow with such innosence, where we grew up learning street survival tactics.
As I said, some get tired of the BS, and realize that they do not have to sacrafice their life to live next to a multi-cultral meca.