I've heard that when manufacturing left town in the 70s and 80s it was pretty bad. But probably in significant ways, not as bad as it is today. What was bad then was the RE market --it just tanked, and there was crime too (hence Dirty Harry), but not as pernicious as today and not the faeces, nor as much hard drugs nor as many people with severe psychological problems.

Willie Brown tried but he too got sick and tired of the homeless situation and threw his hands up.