Originally Posted by Slon

Thing is, cops are not a replacement for private security. Cops don't have to protect you, legally. Traditionally and practically, their job is to enforce government-supporting laws and victimless crime legislation (such as speeding). In essence, it is to help the government and give you a hard time, not protect you. In other words, YOU are personally responsible for your protection (which can involve things like carrying a gun or personally paying for a guard), while police are legally responsible for busting you for bullshit offenses, giving you a hard time in general, and investigating your murder in the most incompetent manner possible hours/days/months/years after it happens.