I discussed this on a different thread, but citizens banning together has its limits.
We organized citizen patrols in the Warrendale neighborhood a few years ago. It wasn't uncommon for them to be accosted by gun-toting drug dealers. From my own experience, I got the crap kicked out of me 3 years ago by a couple of dealers who thought I was paying too much attention to what they were doing.
Residents are involved in combating crime in our neighborhoods. We have been for decades and we will continue to be. What's missing is an effective police presence to do what civilians cannot.
Chief Evans started to make headway. Unfortunately, Mayor Bing got rid of him and his replacement is in way over his head.