In looking at the picture here of a gentlemen in a yellow T-shirt and ball cap talking to the policeman, the “optics” (to use a word the media so loves) are all wrong.
Body language is all wrong, at least for trying to assuage fears and tamp down, unless you graduated from the WWF school of body-slamming body language. The whole persona, demeanor and body language is wrong (seeming smirk, right hand holster-ready, skinned head, partner at the backup).
If I were the Sheriff, Police Chief, or whatever, I'd have my men/women out talking to these residents in a more amiable manner - or at least looking like they're there for something other than to intimidate....my two cents.
Maybe their purpose was to intimidate; i.e., “this is how we are when we are friendly.”
It's a common problem with online media -- in particular Drudge report and townhall.com vis-a-vis they use stock photography that are out of context with their headlines.
So next time you see something like Newt Gingrich with his face buried in his hands under the headline "Gingrich regrets ... blah blah blah" keep in mind the picture has nothing to do with the headline. It's done to reinforce the validity of the headline. Call it what it is. Propaganda.
My impression of the shot was similar. But, then again, I wonder if that particular shot was used by the media just because it telegraphed what you described.