Final answer:
Dicey may be afraid to approach police due to fear of being separated from siblings or negative past experiences with authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns why Dicey from the novel might be afraid to approach the police for help. While the specific text reference isn't provided, common reasons in literature for such a fear include the potential consequences for their actions or the welfare of family members, distrust in the authorities due to past experiences, or the fear of being separated from siblings.
From the context of typical narratives, Dicey's fear could stem from a concern about being separated from her siblings in foster homes, which is a significant emotional issue in many stories about children in her position. There could also be a fear of authorities due to past negative experiences, such as a family member's arrest. Without explicit textual evidence, I cannot confidently confirm which option is correct.