Governments are letting go of their police and roads, but keeping things like their schools and garbage collection, which can easily be privatized. Goverments have some problems prioritizing what they should really be doing.
Most places didn’t have police until a hundred years ago. You were expected as a man, as an American to protect your own property and your self.
Police are basically....welfare for security... Or political enforces of state edicts against non criminals( that would be us ).
Chattanooga's big on sweetheart real estate deals, homeless shelters, catering to the freeloaders, and adding bicycle lanes. Not so big on breaking up gangs, educating the kids, and paying the maintenance workers though. I would say that they have some huge prioritization issues.
You are right on with this...the indoctrination centers of the left (public schools ) are considered sacred institutions even though the product has been failing since being unionized in the 40s...