Absolutely right. When I’ve driven through parts of east Mesa that borders Apache Junction I thought I made a wrong turn and ended up in Barstow CA (the undisputed meth capitol of the world). When I first moved to AZ in ‘99 I lived in an apartment on Alma School south of Broadway. There was a liquor store/check cashing place on Alma/8th Ave that was robbed on a weekly basis. Plus, the Mesa PD “ghetto bird” was flying over my neighborhood every night. After my lease ended I made my getaway to a nicer neighborhood.
I know those apartments ... by the railroad tracks. The legion post 26 ... which I belong to ... is just around the corner off of Country Club ... rough neighborhood. Used to hang out at “Septembers” and the “Goat Head” near there.