[kulshan]

Imagine if you will a police budget, police resources and jail space. Now imagine cities where every available police officer in the city is processing paperwork for misdemeanor theft. Its untenable by any means. There simply is not the resources, officers and time to be processing thousands of misdemeanors. How many officer hours would it take to process a stolen bike report, investigate and then arrest someone. Then bring the DA in on that stolen bike case. This isn't some leftist dream gone dystopian. If anything it's a fiscal conservatism and using public resources appropriately.

[cstejerean]

That seems like something people in SF tell themselves about why it can't be any other way. But deterrence works. If petty crimes are being aggressively policed the the volume of crime will be much lower. The volume is only high because criminals know there are no practical repercussions.

[boomerango]

Just look at Singapore.

Or, closer to home, examine theft rates in cities which recently raised the grand larceny threshold (looking at you Oregon and Washington…) and the explosion of misdemeanor theft. My employer (a fortune 100 retailer) is actively exploring breaking leases as shrink rates have approached 50% in some locations.

[soco]

I must wonder then how the rest of the world, heck even the rest of the States, can get by with prosecuting also petty crimes, yes even stolen bicycles. But this means asking the difficult questions I guess...

[LawTalkingGuy]

> If anything it's a fiscal conservatism and using public resources appropriately.

It may have been sold as being cheaper, but it is not. Now there are roving gangs who can steal tens of thousands of dollars of merchandise in moments and will beat or kill people to pursue their crime.

Not only is it not saving public resources but it's putting stores out of business and injuring people.

> This isn't some leftist dream gone dystopian.

Dystopia, check. Leftist dream, check.

> There simply is not the resources, officers and time to be processing thousands of misdemeanors

That's for the taxpayers to decide, not for the government to present as a reason for overriding them. At this point I bet they feel they can't afford not to enforce laws.