I was on Third street just north of downtown Seattle about 8 years ago just walking along. I noticed this 20 something young woman walking behind me and struggling to “keep up” but always just a step or so behind me. Remembering that it is a bit of a “dicey” area, I turned around and said something like, “Hey, if you want me to walk next to you and it will make you feel safer, I’ll do that.” She had a sheepishly relieved smile and that’s what we did for about three blocks. I don’t even remember what we talked about, but it felt good to help.
I'd have at least considered the possibility that she was running point for a gang of toughs intent on robbing me. You had the benefit of seeing her body-language.