I'm a west sider born and raised. I must say the "knifepoint" jab is getting awfully stale now.
Whilst things are certainly not perfect, the socio-economic profile of the Melbourne western suburbs has really stepped up a notch in the last few years. Look at Footscray and Sunshine.
Consistently labeling our beloved shopping heartland with a term like "knifepoint" isn't doing anyone any favours. If you think you're going to get assaulted or stabbed there then I feel sorry for you, because it's ridiculous.