It really is pathetic. Looks more mafia-like every day - they grab control of a choke point, ensuring they get their vig, but otherwise show no interest in providing real security.
Yeah, people from areas that used to be run by the mob often say they ran things better than the government did. Mobs require some form of community support to operate from what I understand.
The "real" government is really just another mob anyway. Pay your [protection money/taxes] or get your shop [busted up/shut down] and have other bad things happen to you.
It is just 'protection'.