Riight... Paris was not safe before 911 and is not safe now. In fact, I suspect that the worst parts of Paris are worse than the worst parts of New York City and will get even worse as time goes on. You are right.
Between 1972 and 1993, there was a noticeable deterioration in Paris. By 1993, the last time I was there, my impression is that the number of murders and rapes per month in Paris was pretty much the number of deaths we saw in Iraq in the last month.
And yes, the sandmaggots were responsible for about 80% of it.
The 800-pound gorilla in the living room.
Most crime isn't reported in France....the cops discourage victims from complaining and won't go to the bother of filing paperwork of some reported crimes..."they'd just get off anyway"--of course they're right about that...