I used to go there a lot back in the 80s. Mainly to Oxford Books and the Silver Screen theater which showed oldies. I accidently left my car unlocked a couple of times and came back to find a door partly opened (didn’t have anything in the car).
I had my locked car broken into in front of the Rhodes Theater not far away, along with about 20 others, one evening while watching a double feature, ‘Two For The Road’ and ‘Shoot The Moon’. I’m sure crime is worse now, but even 40 years ago there were folks breaking into cars in that area.
Breaking into cars is a huge youth activity/job title, and has been, as you say, for decades. Most people in Atlanta don’t lock their car doors, in the hope of saving the window. Of course that doesn’t help if you walk up in the act.