Crime is reported in an area, then people who choose to avoid that by following the media and not believe its happening then permit the same to repeat ad infinitum until there is crime everywhere. When crime is everywhere, those who are in the area are then punished and the criminals rewarded by creating an open playing field that is incapable of defending itself from an onslaught of the same wreckless behavior that started the situation in the first place. Some have to be profiting from crime and the lawlessness of society overall for that to work.