Click here for a special offer. Click here for our free newsletter. New York is not the only big city to see this hardy weed spring back.
Criminologists note that nationally the rate of murders and other violent crimes continues to fall.
There were 667 murders in New York City last year and 193 between January 1 and March 7 of this year. That's a far cry from the death toll a decade ago when 2,245 people were killed here. But it's been tough going, says Safir, because 90 percent of murders occur behind closed doors and involve acquaintances. On the ropes. The bad news couldn't have come at a worse time for Giuliani.