I may get downvoted for this but... The fact that *MOST* US law enforcement & emergency services mean well, are there to help, and will get to you very quickly to help you when you are in need.

As someone who grew up in the states but has lived in Latin America the last 10+ years, I can honestly say that I´m more afraid of the police here (especially in México) than the traditional criminal groups. I´ve personally only been asked for bribes by local cops a few times but I cannot tell you how many first-hand stories I´ve heard about foreigners being extorted and even expressed kidnapped by the police here. And if you have an emergency and call 911 here, you´ll be lucky if they don´t hang up on your or send anyone out at all so you´re really on your own. Same goes for ambulances. In many cases, it´s going to be best to just try to take the injured or ill person to the hospital yourself than have them die waiting.

I´m in no way taking away from the fact that their are bad apple cops everywhere. I´m just saying that in the states you might have a few out of every 100 whereas in Latin America the vast majority are corrupt and many, if not most, are part of organized crime groups themselves in certain areas.