You California people don't understand, this is not a paid position, it's volunteer. That's the way we do things out here in the sticks. If you want paid protection, go to the city or California.
We have a similar thing in our property taxes. We have the option to be in or out of a yearly fee that protects us with our fire and 911 issues.
If we pay and something happens, no bill.
If something happens and you opted out, you get large bill.
My point is you still get the service either way.
We maybe have homes closer to each other than by you and we have gas or oil lines we don't want to go boom.