In Pokemon, the criminals really aren't that dangerous, seeing as how they can be beaten by some 10-year old kid with a decent team of his own personal fighting monsters. Hell, said kid can even get covered in fire and electrocuted without dying or suffering serious injury. Did your team of personal bodyguards get knocked out by some electric bird that can use its beak as a drill? No problem! Just throw half of your money at it and run away! Seriously, when the most dangerous thing in your world is some reality-warping upside down F-thingy that's next to the shore of some island, you know you've got it good.
