Have you heard the statement, “Conscience gets a lot of credit that belongs to cold feet”? Think through the implications of that. There are many evil things that many people would do if they didn’t fear getting caught.
Another expression of that says we are only one light bulb away from savagery. The anarchy that occurred in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was caused by thugs, lowlifes and criminals seizing the opportunity to rob, loot, rape their fellow citizens, murder, and burn.
Some have thought there is more immorality in the cities than in small towns and rural areas. That was probably true 50 years ago. There was community pressure in villages, but the anonymity of the city encouraged people to violate their consciences and sin against God, themselves and others.