30 years ago, how many people were really afraid of the cops? Jeez, you knew they were there to serve and to protect. The crooks didn't like the cops, but that's the way it's supposed to be, right? Normal people may have worried about a ticket, but normal people knew that the cops weren't going to give them a hard time.
Today? I think virtually every American lives in fear of the cops. If you're lucky, they will only kill your dog. Say the wrong thing, and they'll beat you to death.