[Nifster]

I am not blaming anyone. When I have arrived at a hotel late at night (late night food run was the story’s description) I have NEVER left the hotel. Cleveland has the same type of reputation as Baltimore. In neither city did I leave the hotel a night.

There is something called common sense and a small bit of caution. It is not as if these cities have pristine reputations....haven’t for years

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

OK, I see your point. When I go to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, etc. I like to go out for a walkabout at night. Never felt threatened. I'll head your advice, next time I'm in Cleveland though (not likely to ever go to Baltimore -- saw enough of it on The Wire). It's a shame how many U.S. inner cities have become wastelands. We have some problem areas here in Canada (downtown Winnipeg comes to mind); but, we don't have the same level of racial animus, nor have we had "white flight" from the inner cities.