Good points. I think it's fair to say if anything they'd be complacent or even happy that the Dent Act is in effect, not just apathetic, because Americans only understand stories where the police almost caught the bad guy... but if only their hands weren't tied by the friggin' law!!

A law where the police can catch all the bad guys? Sounds like a good thing! And in the movie it is, because it's not shown to be overreach. Anyone in prison is shown to actually be a Bad Person. The cops aren't corrupt or criminal, and no civilian is wrongfully targeted.

Really, before Bane makes an appearance the only bad thing going on in Gotham is Bruce Wayne is depressed and withdrawn, which means he's not managing any of his philanthropic (lol) projects like funding the orphan boys' home.