The poor are overwhelmingly the victims of petty crime. The rich can live in gated communities and afford security systems.

Or even a small private army for their protection. The poor have to rely on the mercy of the law, the police, and the courts. They don't like having their things stolen, they don't like being accosted in the street, they don't like disorderly conduct around them -- but they don't have nice villas or townhouses to retire to.

I don't think Anatole France really had thought things through when he wrote that quote...