Too much NPCs

[Archaetherial]

Grumblesaur, they would be massive in reality, but they aren't particularly massive in Freelancer. In fact they are rather small. You are correct in saying that Freelancer's distorted, unrealistically small scale is responsible for that.

But, the scale is as it is. And in this scale covering the space around those points and successfully protecting civilians is very much possible.

How exactly does denying the area around planetary docking points and areas of major traffic to criminals, terrorists and hostile aliens diminish or eliminate those zones from game's system of interaction?

It simply makes interactions that shouldn't happen in these areas in the first place impossible. As it should.

Also, I think the point of NPCs is to serve as substitute for players that are not there. So again, I don't see an issue here.