The figures don't tell the story of all of the burroughs. Can you convince a cab to take you to the Bronx after 10 pm? I've had quite a few drivers tell me that they refuse to go there.
Btw, the 'mourning old New York' thing pisses me off as well, as things have moved on and it's a welcome change that crime is down in Manhattan. I'm observing, not judging, when I say that the the city is playground for the rich.
I've had no trouble taking cabs and ubers to and from the bronx at least a dozen of times (and in particular the south bronx) at all hours of the night and all days of the week. A few times it was an uber pool that had other riders in it (meaning they managed to find a cab too).
Coincidentally, I was just talking to a hack about this a couple of days ago. We came to the conclusion that 311 put alot of the issue of cabs refusing rides to bed. They aren't allowed to refuse a fare based on destination, and if you report them to 311 they will be fined by the TLC. That's not to say it doesn't happen anymore, but the threat of retribution has changed this for the better.
Btw, the 'mourning old New York' thing pisses me off as well, as things have moved on and it's a welcome change that crime is down in Manhattan. I'm observing, not judging, when I say that the the city is playground for the rich.