I can well understand that, ironsides, people can be very ignorant. Especially if they live in a low crime area in Canada (and we do have high crime areas), they may take it for granted that there is very little crime in USA where they are going.
However, I am always cautious when I go to USA. I try not to venture out at night. Even when I go for walk during day time, I always ask at the hotel if it is safe.
Recently we visited Yellowstone; we lived in a town called Cody. Now, an area like Yellowstone would seem to be perfectly safe. However, I did check at the hotel desk before going out for a walk. Our hotel was in an isolated area and I would be walking in almost wilderness. But they assured me that it was OK.
Anyway, once when I was walking by the roadside, Sheriff’s car stopped by and asked me if I was Ok, if I needed any help. I had been walking for quite a while, I was hot, sweaty and red all over (Wyoming sun can be very hot in summer). So maybe he thought that I needed help, I don’t know.
I assured him that everything was OK, and I lived in a hotel just a couple of blocks from there. He went on his way. But that made me feel even safer. If the police do patrol the streets from time to time, presumably there is nothing to worry about.