Lots of bad guys in the UAE and more specifically in Dubai. Lots of good guys too. However the area (both Dubai and Abu Dabi) is a financial centre for the bad guys. They will not do anything to jeopardize that as they know the instant they raise trouble they will lose that privilege.

So, in the end everyone is looking at each other in the white of the eyes, restraining themselves (and just collecting Int).

Actually quite safe for a middle eastern country as long as you do not try to stick out like a sore thumb.