Butturbur's Worst Customers

[Mnemosyne]

Let's not forget about your average, random encounter lowlifes--common brigands and the lot. Sure, they may not lay siege to Bree itself, but its crime rate would certainly go up, and with the Road more dangerous that would also limit trade. Bree itself is pretty isolated, so the loss of that trade could be devastating.

I was always under the impression that Arnor itself was a pretty lawless place at this point and it was up to the Dunedain to keep the scum at bay--from the servants of Sauron to petty thugs.