Lack of Pedestrian Crossings/Coverings Over Lights

I just moved to Houston and am living just east of Rice Military by the HEB on Washington Ave. I'm really confused because the area is walkable (lots of bars/food/shopping/apts) but there are few Pedestrian lights at intersections. Even more confusing are the burlap (cloth) covers over random Pedestrian lights. I almost got hit a couple of times trying to walk 2 blocks to HEB today (after a 45 minute commute home haha).