big life; small space

I am from Texas, which is not truly "southern." However, some parts of it are, and I've lived in them. In Dallas, in Austin, and in Houston, people are the same in this regard as in New York- no one steps in, no one tries to stop anyone from doing anything. If anything, it's even worse, because if you take the bus or are a frequent pedestrian here you are thought to have something wrong with you. Last year, I was assaulted while waiting for the bus, and when I went back into the physical therapy office I had left right before it happened, I was laughed at, made fun of, and practically refused help. I had to raise my voice to get anyone to call the police, because asking politely wasn't making them do it.