Jeez, we all know ignorance comes in all colors and communities...if the OP does not feel safe, they do not feel safe, get over it.

So, read up on safety tips and create a plan of action in the event that you find yourself being harassed or a possible victim of a crime. Does not have to be fancy, just a few things you can memorize or practice to draw upon in a stressful situation.

A few that I follow:
- Create distance. In bicycle terms, it means putting the bicycle in between yourself and the aggressor, weather it is a person or an animal.
- Make noise if you are uncomfortable. Even if you just yell "Thief", or "Call the Police", if you feel that you may be in danger. It might offend someone who is coming up to ask you for directions, but better safe than sorry.
- Ensure that your co-workers know when to expect you and which route you take. You could have someone call you during your ride to check your progress.
- Have an escape route/safe haven. This could be frequently noting the nearest open business or largest group of people that you see each block. You can also look up business and their hours along the route ahead of time.
- Take a basic self defense class at the Y, or local community center.

You cannot account for every situation you may encounter but you can at least have some preparation for the basics. I have been attacked on the street in a totally random act of violence. I was only 14 at the time and was walking down the street with my 9 year old brother when a man stepped in front of me and asked me if I owed him something. I said "what?", and then was hit in the face and knocked down and kicked in the head while my brother was frozen there, terrified. There was no warning, no reason, no nothing. That experience taught me a few things about life and I have prepared and walk/ride/run confidently and with full awareness everywhere I go because of it. I don't carry a pistol (I used to, but got over that pretty quickly), and honestly, don't ever want to have to make a life or death decision.

On top of other things, check out the Kimber Pepperblaster II. It is non-lethal personal protection in a solid, sturdy, and stable form. You can also buy a training version to get comfortable and accurate using it.