Really tired of being told I should just expect to feel unsafe at times

Okay, vent that I'll probably delete eventually. For context- I'm a woman in my late 20s and have lived in St. Paul for about three years now. generally I really do love living here, I looove all of our parks and green spaces, events, and how easy it is to get to other parts of the twin cities (the construction has challenged this though lol). so this is by no means a "TWIN CITIES BAD" post.

But I'm. Soooo. Tired. of not being able to safely access public spaces in my own community. Worst of all is being told over and over again this is normal and I should expect it. For example, I like to bike to the farmers market every weekend. If I'm alone, at least three people will harass me between my ride in and back home. Last week it was someone throwing a bag (?) to try to knock my bike over. Also someone's off-leash dog trying to bite an unhoused guy while in line for coffee, and the dog owner screaming slurs at the guy and me for trying to help the guy up. Today I was stopped on my bike at an intersection and a man came up me asking for the flowers from the back of my saddle bag. I said no, they're for a family member. Guy proceeds to yank them out of my bag (this was the second person who asked me for them too!) and run off with them. Other incidence biking downtown this summer include: guy who full-frontal flashed me, woman who called me a homophobic slur and then followed me for a block, guy rifling through my (empty) bike saddle bag when I was walking out of the library. This does not include catcalling.

The other sticking point for me is the light rail. I live a few blocks from a station and work at the U. I love public transit and avoiding 94, and would loooove to be able to commute on it. I've tried a few times and it felt genuinely dangerous.

The worst part is that when I tell people about this, they act surprised I'm upset. Two (well meaning) friends have told me they'll just come with me downtown so I feel safe. I just can't accept that. I live here. These are public spaces I'm trying to access. I don't want to blanket accept that it's normal to feel unsafe in my community.

I don't know what the solution in. There are already cops everywhere, and I don't think bringing more police in helps. I would say 50% of the downtown incidence, a "St Paul Safety Ambassador" was within view and did nothing/was sitting on their phone. I have a lot of sympathy for unhoused folks and those struggling with mental health, but I feel like the city if failing to help them and also failing to keep public spaces safe.