[ensignavenger]

I've done a lot of urban walking in a variety of towns. One time in a town much smaller and lower crime than St. Louis, I had a guy approach me and say "thanks for finding my phone-- give me my phone!" I was holding my own phone, and I ignored the comment and kept walking- at a brisker pace, and watching their actions very carefully. I am 90% sure I could have defended myself if he had attacked me. I'm a very average sized person, if I had been smaller who know what he would have done?

Any way, I agree, its best to always be alert and aware no matter where you are and be smart about where you walk, no matter what your gender presentation is. There are some crazy people in this world.