On Bourbon no. But closer to Rampart was certainly dangerous. I think when we were younger we were just oblivious to the dangers. I used to park in front of Armstrong Park all the time back in the early-to-mid 90s. I now realize how dangerous that was.
Right, I don't think there was ever a time NOLA was truly "safe". It might have felt safer to different people at different times for dfferent reasons, but like any major city there's always a certain level of danger that comes along with it.