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Sadly, the US is not alone here.

No, this is becoming widespread. The Brazilfication of the first world has largerly accelerated in the last few years.

It’s only US states that don’t arrest people for stealing that have this issue

Not true that it's limited to certain states. It's a nationwide problem, according to AT&T.

Here's an unsolved case from this August in Oklahoma. Oklahoma ranks top 10 in the country for copper theft.

Extra data point - Oklahoma is top five in the country for incarceration rate, too.

Happens a lot in Texas too.