I don't know about it being called a no-go zone, but 25 years ago when I lived in Schaumburg, IL, there was a tiny section 8 housing enclave where the fire department wouldn't go into it without police escort. In fact, even pizza company's wouldn't deliver in it. I could never understand why the cops didn't go into it and bust heads to get it cleaned up. Guess they were too busy with revenue-enhancement activities.
Maybe it was because the guy who signed their paycheck wanted it that way. Do you think Detroit and Chicago happened by accident?