There are two types of expats in Dubai - Third World types who do the hard labor, and wealthy Western types who are there to make money. Both groups, understand that the legal system in Dubai is basically Sharia-level harshness and they cannot vote to make it ‘kinder and gentler’.
So guess what - you also have one of the SAFEST cities in the would.
Yes, there is practically no crime in Dubai. The workers value their jobs so much, they dare not commit mischief/crime and be banned for life. Similar situation exists in Singapore, where 33% of work force is foreigners.
Arabs & Hindu’s & Buddhists get along without fights. Cruise ships are also famous for no petty crime. I have on occasion forgotten to put my wallet or rings in the safe, but the room steward did not touch them. Jobs on ship pay far more than the workers earn in their country, and they get banned for life if caught stealing.
Nothing safe about having a slave labor force. Undernourished people en masse are reservoirs for disease.
True. I never felt any qualms walking around there as far as crime is concerned. Your best bet in Dubai is to keep a low profile and not call attention to yourself.
It’s a pretty city and there are plenty of things to do, but Dubai always felt sort of flashy and superficial to me. I prefer Amman, Jordan for a Middle East city to visit.