I haven't known that You were alone there :( I hope You would be more safe next time...and sorry for looking so deep into Your privacy...

Wojciech,
A woman or a man alone at night in Manhattan with tripod and expensive camera is not a good idea. It is dangerous, literally asking for danger.
Why do you think this shop has metal gates?
I would rather live with a little "noise".
Lilia

Great idea for photo Lilia. Noise is little killing factor for me here. It was really dark there, even if You took lamps...has You used any stabilizing element like eg.gorilla tripod?