I don't think that one can't add security and verification, etc. I think the issue is those things are not free and it is supposed that adding them would just transform Zelle into something more akin to a credit card, which we already have.

In your example it seems you did actually send it to the school. The problem was an additional party also had access to school accounts, even if old. To me that's equivalent to a former employee having an illicit copy of keys to the till and stealing cash from it in the off hours. Police would probably treat that crime similarly.

At the end of the day the police have to prioritize their resources too. Technically they could "do" things. But is it worth the cost? When it comes to petty crimes it seems mostly the answer is no, and I have to agree. Even when I had my own phone pick pocketed. It sucks but life goes on.