Question for Dopers in Brooklyn

So, I’m off to New York next week for my Jeopardy audition. It’s my first visit to that fine city. I’ll be staying in the Bay Ridge neighbourhood of Brooklyn, right near the 86th Street station. Since I’m planning to spend as much time as possible wandering the city, there’s a good chance I’ll end up near that station (on foot) at weird hours of the night. What’s the neighbourhood like?

By all accounts Bay Ridge is a nice place, but I’ve been told that Brooklyn is a bit odd for visitors, in that dangerous areas are often not obviously so. Any information would be much appreciated.

Bay Ridge isn’t bad. But I wouldn’t like the idea of a lady friend walking alone at odd hours there, either. In fact, a former lady friend of mine used to live there and I was rather particular about giving her “rules” for her safety.

It’s actually a charming area by NYC standards. But muggings/shootings/etc are not unheard of.