I expect it won't be long before storefronts sprout rollup steel shields that extend from the pavement up and cover the complete storefront. That's what businesses do in Brazil.
Amazon is abandoning one of its downtown buildings because the employees don't feel safe there anymore.
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/citing-crime-concerns-...
It's already tough enough dealing with all the tax, regulation, competing with large corporations and the internet etc. I can't imagine wanting to stay in business to deal with multiple burglaries and thefts, with the associated costs of security improvements and insurance premiums.
Afghanistan too. It's a jarring contrast to see heavy steel walls installed on mud (?) brick; those must have been carefully thought-out expenses.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/15/world/asia/af... (on pages 15 and 21; not linkable)
People will blame the police, but I think this is a symptom of far greater issues in society, whose costs have been offloaded leaving the police to (poorly) manage it because that's probably the best they can do and everyone else is too busy avoiding culpability.
On the other side of Lake Washington, there are no such shields.
That kinda says it all.
“Stop! Or I’ll say stop again!” Is not a successful strategy. Three strikes is excessively punitive, but neither does allowing rampant crime to continue unabated.
Maybe. It can be pretty easy to commit crimes, but in general felonies are tougher to be accidental (although not impossible). The three strikes law has to do with felonies. If 2 stints in prison haven't deterred them from committing serious crimes, then it's likely they won't change (although a side note is that the current system could be enhanced in terms of rehabilitation efficacy - sort of a separate topic though).
Edit: why so many downvotes?
You are so close here. Maybe if the 2 stints in prison haven't deterred their crime it means that punishment isn't much of a deterrent and therefore we shouldn't blame decreased punishment for an increase in crime.
For example, as a kid you likely listened to your parents based on their threat of punishment. In reality, they have very little power and relatively minor punishments (with CPS getting involved).
On one hand we need to ensure people feel like a part of the system and have a chance at a decent job. If you know you don't have a chance then your more likely to act outside the acceptable system. That can help on the prevention side.
On the other side, it's pretty bad that police can't pursue thieves. Perhaps allowing law enforcement to pursue criminals and store/property owners to detain criminals.
So positive encouragement with feeling part of system and hope for a better life, with negative reinforcement of catching and prosecuting offenders (and not having criminal/civil policies that imped that).