It may be "axiomatic", but is it true? Personally I'd feel far safer walking through dharavi (in fact I go here semi regularly) or bhaiganwadi than Baltimore or Tijuana. Yet the latter two are vastly richer. I also passed through a slummy area in Kuala Lumpur, never felt unsafe.

Are my perceptions wrong? Do you have any evidence to support your claim?

Also, why can't vigorous policing - rather than paying tribute to violent criminals - also solve the problem?