Nice post, and OldPossum, I concur wholeheartedly with all that, except I think AnAmericanMother meant *west* of the Connector along the segment you are traveling is dicey. Really anything beyond GA Tech, Tech is OK (the bad elements from further West sometimes intrude).
And AnAmericanMother, we really need to have lunch some time, or meet at a FR get together. You seem to have some good stories of historical interest to political junkies. In that anecdote, I’m thinking a bunch of aging WWII vets w/ Garands and ‘03 Springfields. Not a group to trifle with.
West of Connector isn't that bad anymore. Since the gentrification from 14th and Howell Mill down to Coca-Cola and the Aquarium, the bad actors have mostly moved further west. They still come over and mug Georgia Tech students because they know they are not armed. My grandfather (Tech '18 EE) would not recognize the wussy, screaming liberal, politically-correct administration at Tech today. But he would have a thing or two to say to them.
I was thinking more of the area from Ponce south into the Renaissance Parkway, Boulevard, and Auburn area. Much worse than the Tech/Williams St. area IMHO.
I'll keep my eye peeled for the next FR get-together.