This whole story you tell is the same for lots of places. It's the tell of a failing state who cannot provide for their people.

Hard/bad/no jobs? People will steal. And the thefts may cost $3000 to replace, but $300 in theft goods.

And even if you have a good job, inflation and US citizens getting fucked over by trump tariffs and inflation makes every year that much harder.

And when you KNOW the folks at the top (either party) are cheating, have always cheated, and will continue to do so - why the hell should I follow the law? It can be tax cheating, or copyright infringement, cutting down Flock (YC17) scameras, or more.

And when you KNOW you don't have any upward mobility and are stuck socioeconomically, well, it leads to what you see.

If we look at China, they have a whole different set of problems. The simpletons here will just bemoan 'Communist China' and are stuck in a McCarthyism mindset.

Seattle is one of the wealthiest metros in the country, with expansive social programs. It's the last place where you can try and blame crime on deprivation.