Arrrr, mateys! The scurvy-riddled crisis o' shopliftin' be a true nightmare. Here be 5 things this ex-NYPD inspector be wishin' ye to know, lest ye be walkin' the plank!
2023-08-18
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The pilfering plague be a scourge upon our fair nation. This ol' New York constable be sharin' five crucial tidbits 'bout the surge in pilferin'. Avast, and heed me words, lest ye find yerself swimmin' with the fishes!
Viral videos of store lootings have become a regular sight on the evening news, no longer shocking the public. Recently, a gang of 50 youths attacked a Nordstrom store in California, resulting in around $100,000 in losses. What made this incident stand out was the gang's use of bear spray on security guards, leading to the creation of "Bear Spray Posse" memes. These videos have become accepted as a marker of urban decay, raising the question of whether this is the new normal.One factor driving this trend is the implementation of new regimes that focus on carrot incentives rather than stick enforcement. This has created a sense of impunity among some criminals, as they face little consequence for their actions. In New York City, for example, about one-third of all shoplifting crimes are committed by just 327 individuals, who face no incentive to stop their criminal behavior.
Furthermore, many crimes go unreported or underplayed due to various reasons. Victims of stolen packages often complain to companies like Amazon, who simply ship replacements. Shopkeepers fear civil liability and increased insurance costs, while security guards and police departments are incentivized to downplay incidents.
Coordination among criminals is facilitated through instant messages and encrypted phone apps, allowing for large groups to simultaneously target stores. The stolen goods are then likely fenced online to buyers who sell them for profit. The fact that these videos often show Black youths has created a cognitive dissonance and a reluctance from the media to address the issue.
The consequences of these crimes are visible, with residents fleeing cities, boarded-up storefronts, and neighborhoods lacking basic necessities. The progressive ideology underpinning these conditions is deeply entrenched, making it difficult to address the issue.
Ultimately, individuals have two options: physically fight back, risking felony charges, or leave the affected areas. While there may be signs of awakening, such as a city councilman in Washington, D.C. advocating for the National Guard's involvement, there are also examples of cities like Chicago and San Francisco that continue to prioritize soft-on-crime policies.
In conclusion, this new normal of crime and urban decay seems to be here to stay, and the options for individuals are limited. Municipalities vary in their response, with some recognizing the issue while others continue down a path that exacerbates the problem.