Ah, you should've seen Brooklyn all the way up to the mid-1960's.
Everybody knew each other and got along. Few neighbors locked their doors, and stores had no security gates.
Since, it's become the opposite. NYC is predominantly occupied by non-assimilating foreigners and clowns from God Knows where who come off as New Yorkers after being in town two months. Native New Yorkers are a dying breed.
When I was a child in the mid seventies, me and my brother aged 5 and 7, would get 50 cents each from our grandma and go downstairs and walk along Ditmars Blvd. We would pass the Greek social club, where men sipped their espresso- and played cards in the back. Everyone knew we were Vera's kids. We would pass the Deli and the Bakery and go to Charlie's Candy store where candy was just 20 cents. With our candy we would continue around the corner and wave to Zia Melina (Aunt Milly) who was always at her window. We would short cut through the alley and pass the same 3 barking dogs till we got to my aunt Connie and Uncle mike's Back door.
Can you imagine letting children go on that journey today?
We were never out of the sight of caring neighbors who knew who we were.
The building was put up for sale last month. My grandparents have since passed. Aunt Connie lives in Massapequa now. Even Massapequa now looks like NYC without mass transit- No one knows their nieghbors. People pull in their driveways without a wave or a nod. The for sale signs on the lawns- now moved by others, tell the story.
It was a simpler time back then and a better time to be a child. The greatest generation was enjoying their new found retirement and prosperity.