Just another way of saying "When you need them, the police are only minutes away."
Of course, if you need them to protect you*, you need themthere right this instant, not mere minutes away.
stay safe.
* Five (5) SCOTUS rulings say the cops have no duty to protect you individually - only a duty to "protect" the "community". Callig 9-1-1 does not mean the cops will come to draw nice lines around your body and take pictures of the crime scene.