I remember a couple of decades ago going to New Orleans for work training. It was with a large U.S corporation, still to this day this best company I worked for by far. It was really more of a reward for high sales performers but regardless.
My team was there and some of the team members were very afraid of being in NO. They told me "there are more guns per capita in New Orleans than anywhere in America". I still have many beads I collected lol. It was good to be young then as I had no fear whatsoever.
That being said, there were plenty of police on the strip and we didn't venture off the strip, the hotel was right there. I sure felt pretty damn safe when every 100 feet it seemed with was a police vehicle and there were cops walking the strip. It certainly wasn't a place any criminal with an I.Q over 60 would try anything. Of course, I realize that it is far different in other areas.