I ride in a FAR better neighborhood than the o.p. but I run more red lights than I stop for, no matter what time of day it is... just saying. So much for the premise that the quality of the surroundings and the extenuating circumstances of the hour of day validate lawbreaking. The o.p. should simply run the lights if he wants to. Or not. He could get jumped either way. I mean... some lights you gotta stop for, right? I mean, even I have actually stopped for the odd red or one hundred. What if there is cross traffic? So... you're stopped... you're vulnerable...whap!! I don't think the posters suggesting a change of neighborhood are all that far off base. Come on up to my neck of the woods. You don't have to worry about being lifted off your ride at stoplights. Only downside is you actually have to own your inner scofflaw, and do it without apology.
H