Outposts being Neutral Community Centers

but why not have outposts be neutral?

many reasons, including but not limited to: keeping the spirit of the game, not making unfair or further exploitable playing grounds for PvP encounters, risk/reward of which this entire game is built upon

You’d still have to make it to port and out before any campers would get you (so ya really can’t use combat as an argument)

Define "making it to port" and "campers", and then we'll talk about how I can or can't use combat as an argument.

Remember this part of the Pirate Code?

Absolutely not

Article 2
The Sea Unites Us as One Community
Outside the heat of battle or piracy on the high seas, all crews shall bond together as a community of like-minded souls.

Oh the pirate code right, the thing that has multiple versions for different or even opposing sides. The thing that is so generic, half of the rules could be taken and abused to random, completely normal situations.
The thing that is more like guidelines.. than actual rules.

We must all follow the ToS of Rare and Microsoft, but the in-game Pirate Code plastered onto any tavern wall is a mere "good behaviour" wish. IIRC the Reapers and Wanda both at some point had their own versions of the code that pointed and laughed at the Tavern versions.

Outposts are neutral. They aren't biased one way or the other. They allow all pirates to come onto the outpost, regardless of level or faction. Heck, Port Merrick even has a place for Reapers, which lore-wise really shouldn't be a thing (sneaky blighters). Different crews can be at an outpost at once, so there's really nothing non-neutral about them. They don't fire cannons at any ships, they sell to all and take treasure from all.

Now, if you mean a "safe-space" or "pvp-free zone", then that's just going to be a no. Treasure is never safe unless it is sold. It is never yours until you get the gold. Doing this would mean people would simply run to the nearest outpost and sit there, selling off their spoils while the crew engaging them could only sit there and watch. "Tools not rules". If you want to parlay with other pirates at an outpost, you certainly can. I've had positive interactions with other crews at outposts. But it should never be a requirement.

To quote Barbossa "They're more what you'd call guidelines"

Having said that, I would like the NPC's to double tap individuals fighting at taverns or the emissary and running towards them with a treasure items have them shoot at players chasing you. Would be nice emersion BUT there are better things for RARE to spend their time on. New tools and mechanics, fine tuning existing ones etc.