Is Rivervale a safe suburb? Is it good for a small family with a young baby?

This is the only suburb I have ever lived in and felt so unsafe.
They could make the most interesting crime shows ever just based on Rivervale. Dodgey as hell.

I have a tenant whom lives in my home in Rivervale and she travels via public transport from Rivervale to the city daily. Given she is a lawyer/single woman and works very long hours - home late/leave early informs me she has never encountered any problems walking to or from the house (St Kilda Road to Kooyong Road). This has been her routine for in excess of the last twelve months and she tells me she feels confident in walking at odd hours within this locale.