It would have been more accurate to say the lack of law enforcement depresses the population.
Depressing or lowering the ability of a population to live a positive and healthy environment because you are much more likely to be a target of crime is going to be oppressive to that population.
Being over-policed or under-policed lead to similar issues. Criminals being a burden to the civilian population or over reaching police being a burden to the population. A balance is needed and five officers for an area the size of Connecticut is too few for effective police presence.