My experience in NY (and I don't drive all that much) is that such problem areas here tend to have 24/7 police presence with flashing lights and glowering men in blue, pulling folks over.
I've been told you do NOT want to be stopped by a couple of bored cops..
I rode in a NYC taxicab one time from the airport to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and I saw my life flash in front of my eyes the whole way. NASCAR didn't have anything on that guy!