Many years ago I lived in a small building in New York’s Little Italy. Most of the apartments were occupied by members of the same family.
One day a stranger attempted to break in to one of the apartments. When the police arrived the perp was a bloody mess with several broken bones. It was explained that while trying to escape he fell down all 5 flights of stairs. The police made the arrest and there were no more break ins. Sometimes people act in self defense.
Yep. Used to live in the Italian area of Philly (about 1/4 of the City). They took care of any lawbreaking in their neighborhood -- including laws of God -- "South Philly style." Any drug dealers attempting to peddle on the street would end up kneecapped, and when police arrived, "nobody saw nuttin', hon!"
Nor was this phenomenon strictly about violence. You could settle many petty disputes with neighbors by calling on the local doctor, priest or shopkeeper to mediate. It was a true community.
For some reason while reading your story I could hear Mr. Rogers singing “It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood ...” along with approproiate sounds and screams in the background.
I was once in a small store in Little Italy trying to pay for my purchases when the guy behind the counter took off, grabbed a shoplifter, smacked him in the face with his fist a few times, and threw him out of the store.