you are spot on  - i wouldn't want to be a decider on people. if i were a cop, i would handle it as told to by my supervisor.  but when free styling., i would want to be in the "riskier" neighborhoods, cruising.  watching, stopping to chat a bit with a local resident. i'd try to be seen and as a friendly presence. i thin i'd notice any weird activity.  it would probably be amusing to watch a cop who set up in my neighborhood for a day. i think the overall pic they would see would shock them.
 mentally ill people in their homes is another story and i went apples to oranges on that...yes i did.