For 25 years, I worked as a U.S. Government investigator. Most of my work was in California and the West, but I worked or wandered most of the U.S. at one time or another in my 25 years. I was armed with a black U.S. Government ballpoint pen. I worked every part of every town I visited, knocking on doors to talk to the neighbors fo security clearance applicants. In all that time, I was threatened only once - a political appointee of a Republican governor pointed his rifle at me, because he was afraid. I assume he was a Republican because of his job. We had a very nice conversation once I got him settled down.

I don't think there's many places in this world where you really have to be afraid. If you stand tall and walk with confidence and a smile on your face, people will treat you well. Now I admit that at five feet eight inches, it's a bit hard for me to stand tall - but it seems to work. I suppose it may be safer to stick to areas where there are lots of people. I know many areas of New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles where it's very comfortable to walk alone at night. Just stay where the people are.
-Joe Offer-