I parked my car overnight in a large, well-lit city-owned structure with cameras and live attendants 24/7. I parked right under a light, near the elevator/stairs in a higher traffic area and it still got a window smashed by someone despite nothing being visible. Nothing was stolen because there was nothing to steal but still annoying to file insurance and get repaired.
I know people that have reinforced metal lockboxes installed in the back of their SUVs to secure their laptop bag. Most people just take their laptop backpack everywhere but bag-grabs are increasingly common and even more scary than car break-ins. One guy I know who lives and works in downtown SF doesn't have a car because he can walk just about everywhere he regularly goes in the city. Last year he stopped taking his laptop anywhere in SF and doesn't carry a backpack anymore. He now just keeps a system at home and an identical system at work.
I don't live there anymore but used to like visiting quite often. Now I avoid it whenever I can which is sad.
The only times I've had cars broken into were when I was visiting DC and when I was working in San Jose.
So, um, it's not universal?