Harlem...Safe?

This article focuses on the area you are looking at. Not sure how much weight to give to the article or the NYC police department stats it cites, but think it is interesting that it states that crime in south central Harlem is not too different from the UWS.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/realestate/27harlem.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=harlem%20south&st=cse

the area 116 to 125th west of frederick douglas is the nicest part of the section. 114th st between FD and ACP is not a good block and the blocks between 110 and 116 are improving rapidly.
your wife should be ok at 5-6 am taking the subway at 110th or 116th. I am less confident re 11 pm to 4am
of course there is no time for crime as such but we have felt pretty safe living near 120th

You should run for your life. Harlem is full of desperate dark muggers masquerading as black middle-class burghers who go bestial at the very sight of a white woman. God in heaven, man, in what century are you living?

Never had any problem at 112th, FDB any time of day or night. Nor has my wife.

Check out the Douglas - my fave round here. Lore has nice apts too.

I don't live in that area, but am familiar with it. I would consider FDB pretty safe near FD Circle. I couldn't speak too much about some of the side streets. Usually at 5-6AM the only people out and about are the ones on their way to their underpaid jobs.

saw this post on HarlemCondoLife which was interesting. Talking about near the Douglass (114th and FDB)
http://harlemcondolife.com/2010/01/24/the-douglass/

"Quality of life and safety have improved dramatically. Specifically there has been a recent and persistent police lock-down blocking non-residents from driving or walking across 114th between 8th and 7th Avenues. This has been in place for at least two weeks. Apparently there’s a concerted and sustained effort to rid the block of illegal activities that have persisted for years."

I'm not exactly sure what kind of activities they're referring to

Not greasing cops' palms, most likely.

The area from 110th street to 125th starting east at Lenox Ave heading west to Broadway is absolutely wonderful!! Due to the high costs of the UWS, this area is basically an extension but way cooler in my view! I blog about my Harlem experiences at www.harlemcondolife.com along with a few other locals. To address the bioknight's comment, you should visit this area soon so that you can put down that armor about Harlem and open yourself up to a wonderful new area of the City or better yet- Manhattan!