What every community becomes when the gates are left open.
Imagine if this place required invites, and everyone had to vouch for the people they invited. ("Barman, that dude you invited is a douche. What were you thinking?")
Indeed, you have the power to make a difference. I tried to find the Ban Someone January edition but other than the shitty Jan Ban thread it doesn't appear one was ever created, so let's just keep rolling with this one.
Let veterans throw their hats into the ring. Pick one to moderate for 24 hours. Give 'em the ban-stick, and rotate through the list. If a temp-mod goes off the rails, give 'em feedback or toss 'em out of the pool.
"Oh shit. Galacon's up with cougarclaws on deck. Everyone on your toes. Gonna be a bloody week."