I live in a small town, never really a big fan of the big city lifestyle. Around here, there isn't any nickle/dime dealers/users, it's all bad news. I'd think those crackheads would be quick to turn in anyone, to save theirselves from jail. The more times they get popped, the more willing they are to talk. We have a three-strikes law here. Third conviction, they get the max penalty, and little chance at parole. Unfortunately, there seems to be several ways to get around that, if the courts are willing.
Crack in the neighborhood is a real bad thing, they'll steal anything they can get their hands on. Sometimes some pretty stupid, and useless things. I didn't have much of a problem, but had a huge dog (rottweiler mix), which I walked twice a day. He was much nicer than this lab pup I have now, but not many people trusted him. Rotts get such a bad reputation... I'm not such a small man either, but even on drugs, a big dog gets respect from the trash.
Good luck with your new home. Should really work to get that garbage out of the neighborhood, it just grows like a fungus. I use to have trouble with them parking in my driveway, so I went out and wrote down the license plate numbers, told them to park elsewhere. When groups of people, or an expensive car showed up, I took pictures. Police can't do anything if you don't actually see drugs, but crackheads don't like to be documented. It hurts business.