Second, the Thursday market is less crowded than the overfilled Sunday market. Third, the day before the market is the best day to arrive, stay that night, then stay most or all of the actual market day. Fourth, do not expect gourmet food in Chichicastengo. In distinction, none of the restaurants in Chichi had this kind of rock and roll atmosphere of a cosy bar and nice place to meet new friends. Fifth, cabs do not exist in Chichicastenango.
Pickpockets do exist, as in most market areas of the world, but violent crime is atypical.
In other words, Chichi is safe as anywhere and the pickpockets are careful to lift your wallet without you even knowing it. Overall, Guatemala of today is so much safer than Guatemala when we lived here in 1997 that there is hardly any comparison. Hotel staff, waiters, drivers, tend to be friendly, helpful, and honest. Guatemala is still my favorite travel destination.