There’s a pervasive belief in the anglosphere west that unfortunate people ought to be able to commit any property crime with impunity

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nirvdrum 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

My experience with small police departments in the US is that they either don’t have the time or the inclination to deal with small property claims. If you’re a business they’ll be there in 10 minutes, but individuals aren’t afforded the same courtesy. Eventually, citizens realize it’s just not worth the cost or the hassle to report a crime unless it helps with an insurance claim.

	▲	tdb7893 a few seconds ago \| parent [-]
		My experience with large police departments in the US is that they either don’t have the time or the inclination to deal with small property claims. Some people tried to steal cars (including mine) in my neighborhood in Chicago, we had them on video and they were still in the area and the police didn't do anything. Large police departments also generally won't really do much. Though my friend in Houston did have the police investigate car break ins at his apartment complex but that might be because multiple guns were stolen from cars (so at least there are certain things that will get their attention).

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GoatInGrey 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I believe there to be some merit to the notion that it is better for society if many of the generational cycles which lead to crime are broken. Sometimes that involves off-ramps from the road to incarceration.

That said, the policy can be, and certainly is, applied in imbalanced ways when justice is pursued over pragmatism.

	▲	zdc1 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		I'm sure at some point it's cheaper to pay people to do nothing and have laws enforced, rather than indirectly paying people to do crime by letting stuff get stolen without consequences. Politically it sounds insane, but it would make for a more trusting society.

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fuzzer371 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

That belief is not shared by law enforcement. But all the same, they'll refuse to help you anyway.