The problem goes both ways. Some cops probably don't care as much about urban crime because the people most affected aren't willing or are afraid to help the cops 

 This is so true. It becomes a cycle, and the cops tend to act like the community is causing the problem (by not reporting crime, by permitting/harboring criminals, by not cooperating with police investigations) and the community tends to act like the police are causing it (by refusing to consistently protect and serve majority-minority neighborhoods, by using excessive force.) In the end, the rule of law breaks down because neither side feels like they have an ally in the other side. Urban communities need people of integrity on both sides who are willing to make good faith gestures and build trust.

 As to why people don't report crimes, even to anonymous tiplines, two things come to mind. One, in some cases, bystanders may feel like the incident was one "bad guy" killing another. For someone who has little faith in the courts, this may seem like justice served. Two, even when this is not the case, I imagine people in the toughest neighborhoods of SE have a very cynical view of how "anonymous" their identity would be kept via an official tipline. And honestly, they could be right...

 One time I did call the police about drug selling across the street and asked them not to come to my door when they investigated the call. But a police car drove right up and knocked on my front door anyway, in view of the guy they were arresting across the street. I mentioned this to the police officer and he said, "Oh, don't worry, they won't do anything to you." Then he added, "If they do, call us." Not very reassuring. The drug dealers and gang folks talk up their power, and probably often brag to neighbors about police they have bought off, powerful people they are connected to, etc. It's mostly bs, but to a naive -- or uninformed -- person, it could be convincing.

My bet is that the DC & NYC markets will slow down a lot over the next 5 years. So I'm going to rent and wait and see.

I was just thinking today that when I pass the bar, I will start a collection of law-related gag gifts. You know, like "Objection!" T shirts or a judge's gavel that makes a farting noise when you strike it; the sillier the better. And I'll tell people just to get me this kind of thing whenever they feel like buying me a little something with the understanding that if I accrue duplicates I will re-gift them to a co-worker and spread the joy.

I'm moving to DC Aug 6th ish. Exciting! I grew up in Arlington, but haven't lived there since 1994.

NYC requires you to pay out the ass. My friend just got a 55K job, is living on her own, had her parents put down the deposit on the purchase of her studio. She is still barely breaking even each month, yet isnt frivolous at all.

Well, living alone and buying a studio when the urban real estate market is at its peak might be considered by some to be if not frivolous, at least unnecessary expenses.