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Well, I've got pretty nice neighbors, and they would definitely call the law.

Folks who will keep an eye out for you and call the appropriate folks when needed are indeed good neighbors.

Folks who will do that and are willing, prepared, trained and equipped to take effective action when you need help right away and the public responders aren't there yet are great neighbors.

I'm fortunate to share a neighborhood with pretty good numbers of both.

There are no "GOOD" neighborhoods any more.

A "good" neighborhood is simply one where the really bad stuff doesn't happen as often as it does in a "bad" neighborhood. By that definition, there are still lots of places that are plenty better than others, but none are crime and risk free as you unfortunately saw first hand at the church.

As an LEO, the saying I heard most often from folks who had something really nasty happen close by was, "I never would have believed something like that could happen here." Although I don't claim to be the quickest arrow in the quiver, after hearing the same thing at a couple dozen major crime scenes in all kinds of neighborhoods, even I managed to figure out that anything can happen anywhere at any time.

The best practice is to keep alert everywhere so you're never taken by surprise.