How safe is it three blocks south of Civic Center in San Francisco for a family with a toddler?

Unfortunately, other neighborhoods are not an option. I have a chance to take an apartment only in this area, or else BART commute from the East Bay for 1 hour each way and over $100 a month in public transport costs. So I'm trying to figure out if NOT living in the Civic Center area is worth the money and time.... please give a little description rather than just "it's ok" or "don't live there..."