Is that Neighborhood safe?

This is a question which many home buyers ask their Realtor; and their Realtor cannot answer such a question.  Buyers often get frustrated by this; and usually don't understand why.

So why can't Realtors answer a simple question from their client?  Well most agents will cite 'Fair Housing Laws'; which is certainly one main reason; but perhaps not the best.

Yes, it is true that Fair Housing Laws prevent Realtors from 'steering' buyers into specific neighborhoods. Realtors can't advise on what neighborhoods are safe any more than they can advise on what neighborhood you should live in if you are a certain religion or ethnic background.

There is a much better reason in my opinion, that Realtors cannot answer "Is that Neighborhood safe?"  Simply; "Safe for whom?"  

When I 1st moved to Washington DC I lived in a neighborhood which was great. I felt "safe"; but I had some friends that wouldn't visit me because they didn't feel safe.  Simply to say; what is considered "safe" for one person; may not be "safe" for someone else.

Home buyers should consult local police and look at crime stats; but then even those things only tell part of the story.  Yes; perhaps someone was a victim of a violent crime 2 blocks from where I loved - scary - except that it was 3am in a park during a drug deal gone bad.  Well I don't usually deal drugs at 3am; so it's pretty safe for me!