A freind of mine was vacationing in London last month and as he was stumbling to his hotel from the bar, he was pick-pocketed. Five minutes later a police officer came up to him and asked if his name was Dave. After he responded that he was indeed Dave the officer asked him if he had lost his wallet. After checking his pocket and realizing that this was also true, the officer gave him a ride back to the hotel and prompted him to come by the station in the morning to give a statement and get his property back with nothing missing.

If this had happened in New York, the wallet would have been gone which could have created a really uncomfortable situation for him in a foreign country.

So while I don't know how I feel about the constant survalence issue, it seems to have some use.