In an organized community that was kept in check by the people in charge, people who were able to explain what was going on. And hell, most of the people there already knew what they were, right? This isn't that dynamic at all. This people are panicked, frantic, and in primed position to bring the world down around them without even meaning to.
And what happens if someone with ill intentions ends up getting abilities? What happens then when we don't stand a chance?
For what it's worth, it wasn't like I was keeping it a secret.