Putnam Ave?

Not to get into border disputes but that's on the Bed-Stuy side of Classon (those crafty realtors!). I lived over there last year and never had any problems. Putnam down at Grand is a not so nice a corner though (if for some reason you decide to walk from the Clinton-Washington subway instead of Franklin). Amenities are a bit scarce but it is on the up.

Well if the cop car is parked there, then it's probably safer but its definitely to diffuse the scene.
I sorta made it a point to not get busybody about the goings on there but I believe its a fine example of what happens when lots of unemployed young guys (or can only find jobs selling drugs) have nothing else to do but stand around and be frustrated with the world. A friend of mine was mugged outside that big blue laundromat near there, which I imagine is not a rare occurance.
If you want to learn more, the oldish lady (40s or 50s?) that owns the whole strip of shops on the south side of the street between Grand and Downing (the diner-ish place, the laundromat, maybe C-Fizz) always seemed to be in the know about the area whenever I talked to her. Not entirely coherent all the time but she's friendly and very talkative.