If somebody was brutalizing and threatening to kill you or somebody you loved or if you witnessed a crime and the assailants know you could ID them and made threats, would you be confident enough to confide everything to the police or would you keep what you know to yourself for fear that they couldn't keep you safe?

Been there, done that, my mother tried that when her ex-husband was threatening to kill her...well gee they couldn't do ANYTHING until he actually hurt somebody, even though EVERYBODY knew he wouldn't stop at hurt but would go all the way through to KILL.

I would call just to have it on record. As for depending on being "protected?" Not unless I was one of the elite. I remember awhile back a TV reporter (Detroit) made allegations about abuse / threats from her soon to be ex-husband. The police followed her to and from the station for several weeks to "protect" her.
After I had made a formal complaint, I would just make sure I had the appropriate means of personal protection within my reach if I truly felt threatened.

I would tell the police because it needs to be on record. I wouldn't expect to police to somehow put a magic forcefield around me that will prevent anything from happening to me, but I do expect them to do their jobs.

HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!!!

The police are much more helpful than the courts who let the person out i can tell you that!

As Zman and NY said, I would file a report but I wouldn't expect them to be my body guards.

I have faith in the NYPD.

It would depend on the situation.

I may be apprehensive, but I would ultimately go to the police. Remaining silent does nothing. Only gives your tormentors more leverage to keep on harassing you.