New York City Used To Be A Terrifying Place PHOTOSAP PhotoJerry Morsey. The New York City of the 1. The Bowery, now lined with luxury apartments, housed much of the citys illicit activities, while drug dealers and prostitutes worked openly from Park Slope to Times Square. Industrial decline, economic stagnation, and white flight led to the dramatic downturn for Americas largest city. Gotham had an unprecedented fiscal crisis in 1. New York City saw 1,8. At the same time, crack and heroin infested the city, driving the crime rate even higher. Two new shows share a city, and an era television cant get enough of, but not much else. The Serve Man there. Ellen Gray, Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. PHOTOS 80s sexiest crushes, heartthrobs and sexsymbols, then now Supermodel Cindy Crawford circa 1989. PHOTOS 80s sexiest crushes, heartthrobs and sexsymbols. Robert Stutman, a former special agent for the NYC DEA, told Frontline, Crack literally changed the entire face of the city. Street violence had grown. Child abuse had grown hugely. Spousal abuse. I had a special crack violence file that I kept to convince the geniuses in Washington who kept telling me it wasnt a problem. By 1. New York peaked at 2,2. The city lived in fear. Crack 80S' title='Crack 80S' />
Before Carrie Bradshaw and Hannah Horvatz, New York was host to the 1980s. And trust us, it wasnt all that pretty. Troll Dolls So ugly they were cute. They topped our pencils, covered our lunchboxes and inspired the teasing of many a bang. Some things we miss. One of the most iconic TV series ever made is back with a bang this summer as Hannibal Smith, Mr T, the Face Man, and Howling Mad Murdoch are once again.