There were many factors behind that, just like any other city there will always be a dilemma.
In any city you have that regardless who's at the helm.
I used to graffiti on the subways of N.Y.C. he was not at fault, I chose to do it. Now looking back its not so glamorous but I still believe graffiti is art.
N.Y. at that time had a crime rate so high that N.Y.P.D had their hands full.
N.Y. was a unique place it had its own kind of attraction on people, yeah everybody had their own opinion on N.Y. but for some reason people still would be interested on seeing, living, or just being part of the city.
Its where Disco, Rap, & the boombox started.
N.Y. nowadays its about counting your calories, no smoking, no more drinking sodas at a high oz.