How To Run Safely?

Hello, I'm 15F, 5', and around 150 lbs. I want to try to lose 50 pounds, and I love running, so I want to try doing that. The problem is that I don't live in the safest area, and I'm always paranoid running with my dog. I've only had something happen to me once a year ago, and it was in the morning time during a walk. It's left me paranoid, even though nothings ever happened to me after. I always run with some sort of knife, and I take some boxing classes that have taught me somethings, but I'm just wondering if there's anything else I can do? I only like running at night since it makes me feel invisible, but I always get this feeling that someone is staring at me. It's probably just in my head, but I don't know what else to do. It's kept me from getting into shape through running, even though I love it. I sometimes walk to safer areas, then run, but then I just feel like I look weird running by myself, or like I look like I don't run properly. I also don't feel comfortable asking someone to run with me besides a friend who recently lost some weight, but I don't think her mom will allow her to run with me at dark.. I usually run at 5, but it gets dark around 4:30. Is there any advice someone can give me? Sorry if I'm making this difficult