Preferable to the police? Real life superheros are stepping up to meet a perceived demand: an actual sense of protection, and actual heroism. Both are kinda lacking lately.

"In Seattle ... an organized group called The Rain City Superhero Movement includes Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88, Penelope and Phoenix Jones the Guardian of Seattle. All masked, they carry Tasers, nightsticks, pepper spray, but no firearms."