From Beverly Hills to Santa Monica, the crime-panicked wealthy are banishing bling and buying guns

[laylalex 7,300]

I think the story that is being told outside of here (I say here, but I am not there, I am currently 30k feet over Kansas) doesn't always match up with the reality. To some extent yes, by raising the value of goods stolen in order to make a theft a felony and not a misdemeanor, shoplifting has increased somewhat. But robbery -- especially strong arm robberies, which is what we're talking about here -- is a felony and taken seriously. In SM, if the cops are called out, particularly to an address north of Montana Avenue, they are there ASAP and there is a proper investigation. Beverly Hills, too. These are two little cities with a lot of rich people in them, and well-funded police forces. I think the SMPD does a pretty good job. My ex lives in BH and the excellent policing is one of the main reasons he moved there. Living in a city has attendant risks, and they are a cost of living somewhere vibrant and buzzing, with significant job and investment opportunities for the upper middle classes. 

 

I think Boiler has it correct, that there are societal changes that have led to an increase in crime. (BTW, violent crime is still pretty low here, and I think there was one murder last year.) The hollowing out of the middle class has a big role to play. I don't really have an answer, especially when I am tapping away on an airplane tray table. When opportunities shrivel up for the less fortunate, people get desperate and do desperate things. 

Edited January 2, 2022 by laylalex
Corrected location of plane.

[Boiler 45,931]

Perhaps we need some accolade for those posting from 5 miles and above?

[LIBrty4all 3,754]

12 hours ago, Dashinka said:

You do understand that organized crime is rebooting itself because of what opportunities they now have.  This always seems to be the case with the “good intentions” many have in political office (particularly those on the Left), the unintended consequences of their actions.

You mean like this?

 

More than 150 people killed in Texas county by suspects released by progressive judges

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/more-than-150-people-killed-in-texas-county-by-suspects-released-by-progressive-judges/vi-AASl1zF

[Dashinka 24,726]

19 hours ago, laylalex said:

I think the story that is being told outside of here (I say here, but I am not there, I am currently 30k feet over Kansas) doesn't always match up with the reality. To some extent yes, by raising the value of goods stolen in order to make a theft a felony and not a misdemeanor, shoplifting has increased somewhat. But robbery -- especially strong arm robberies, which is what we're talking about here -- is a felony and taken seriously. In SM, if the cops are called out, particularly to an address north of Montana Avenue, they are there ASAP and there is a proper investigation. Beverly Hills, too. These are two little cities with a lot of rich people in them, and well-funded police forces. I think the SMPD does a pretty good job. My ex lives in BH and the excellent policing is one of the main reasons he moved there. Living in a city has attendant risks, and they are a cost of living somewhere vibrant and buzzing, with significant job and investment opportunities for the upper middle classes. 

 

I think Boiler has it correct, that there are societal changes that have led to an increase in crime. (BTW, violent crime is still pretty low here, and I think there was one murder last year.) The hollowing out of the middle class has a big role to play. I don't really have an answer, especially when I am tapping away on an airplane tray table. When opportunities shrivel up for the less fortunate, people get desperate and do desperate things. 

It is not just societal changes, but political changes that have lead to an increase in violent crime is certain areas.  You can have the best police force in the world, but no police force can stop a crime occurring except in very rare occasions.  That socialite in BH was murdered by a career criminal, and sure he may be prosecuted now, but she remains dead, so how does that help her family.

 

There are many reasons that violent crime is increasing in certain areas, not addressing all of those reasons though is wrong.