It could also be a very practical issue; if the city is known as having crime, it may deter some employees to come working here or they may defend more their right to work from home.
When I went to San Francisco, I was very surprised by the difference between reality, and the picture that the company shared with me.
(And before you say "A-ha, this is proof that the press does not censor itself!", did you know of this specific case before today? How has this not been widely discussed in society for the past seven years?)
Gentrification is also a contributor to the problem but it's hard to tell rich people that without them getting mad and blaming someone/something else.
That may be true but I don't think it has much to do with the reluctance to discuss the issue (or to actively play down the importance of it when discussed.)
The only solution for either side is to move away, and if the rich people refuse to pack up and leave the less fortunate sure as hell aren't going to buy themselves plane tickets and skedaddle.
So it kinda makes sense why people downplay it when the only alternative to moving somewhere else is perpetuating false victimhood.
When I went to San Francisco, I was very surprised by the difference between reality, and the picture that the company shared with me.