I assume you mean those who are not “pro-Medinah”, because there wouldn’t be a question for those who are.
I think based on the way you worded it, “the Tzibur at large”, it’s a machlokes. Many feel that a public display of hakaras hatov clouds the important hashkafic problems with the medina. Others feel that the chiyuv of hakaras hatov overrides this concern.
I don’t think any real shittah “holds” that one is not supposed to personally feel hakaras hatov to individuals who physically protect us from harm.