1. You have neighbors
2. You like them and are neighborly
3. You dont want them victimized either
I do not grant folk who are paid to pick up the bipedal trash any more or less moral authority than fellow citizens who make a living at other occupations. So having the victim chase down the goblin or having a leo do it is same-same. Both are taking out the trash.
Of course the law sees it different. Hopefully we can change that over time with elections juries and common practice.
rooster, I have several neighbor's who's wonderful intentions do not equal my desire to have NOT try to protect me.
This, to my mind, has nothing to do with moral authority. I have several neighbor's with firearms and a certain degree of skill. They also like bro country, cheap beer and get a little hot headed (and dumb) when angered. I absolutely do not want them "protecting" anyone more than themselves, much less running around the area with a loaded gun and itchy trigger fingers.
Now, it's not that the local LEO is all that much more skilled, but when it comes to apprehension of criminals, that's what we pay them for, right? and when it comes to the safety and well being of the neighbors... isn't that their own responsibility?
It's the thought process that you should help, without consideration of how much your help is wanted (or even needed) by those you wish to help that got this country in so much trouble in the first place.