Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'd say that everybody has a natural right to not fear malicious harm while engaging in any form of everyday commerce or public discourse. In situations like the hypotheticals described, I would also say that the local authorities have lost their mandate to govern, and that those subject to the adverse conditions are ethically justified in securing their own safety by any means at their disposal, including against th…
In fact, in the United States of America, the Supreme Court has ruled several times that police do not have a duty to protect citizens from crimes. For instance: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/politics/justices-rule-pol...
> The police aren't there to protect you, specifically. They are paid to enforce the law, as directed by their superiors.
Those people who say "Just call the police." have likely never actually called the police (in the US).