The problem with everyone merely beein a 'cooperative and vigilant citizen' is that while it sounds good in concept it leads people to stop questioning those who really do have power, ie the gigantic police state. I believe that the media and the government want to have the narrative that nobody is safe from terrorism, because then it justifies more infringement upon individual liberties. In reality you probably have an exponentially greater chance of being killed because you drive too fast than you have from dying in a terrorist attack; does this mean it would be reasonable for the government to lock up every motorist who drives in excess of 25mph?
The point is, lots of stupid and bad BS was pushed through by the government after 9/11 because people were scared. Nowadays most of this BS doesn't even go through the normal legislature, it is instead decided by secret memorandum and other ridiculous un-constitutional methods. The police just do things and everyone goes along with it, and there are fewer checks and balances because the most important check on power is a population that is constantly skeptical and questioning of authority. They are supposed to work for you, they are supposed to serve the public not be some sort of kevlar covered daddy figure 'protecting' you from all the boogeymen of the world.