Sidebar: The Appearance of Impropriety

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In 1990, there were 2,262 murders in New York City; 147,123 cars were stolen; 100,280 robberies and 122,055 burglaries were reported. (Many more were committed.) Subway doors wouldn’t open and many simply jumped the turnstile without a thought of paying or being arrested. Signs were posted in cars: “No radio. Already stolen.” The streets were filthy; water and steam pipes routinely burst, potholes were as big as the Grand Canyon. Scary squeegee men would pounce at every red light, smearing your windows, and then scratch your car if you didn’t fork over a tip.