Is my neighborhood getting that bad.

I live in a middle class neighborhood and usually have a lot of good finds in the area. Tonight I saw a 40" TV flat screen sitting out in the trash four doors down from my place. I went to the door, knocked and a woman peered out through the blinds. She then disappeared and I heard "it's some big white guy". Then I heard the sound of handgun slide back and then slam forward. A man came to door empty handed. We spoke and he gave me permission to get it.