Cops know they'll get 50%+ of muncipal budgets whether they stop petty crime or not. The most important function cops serve is enforcing property restrictions.

Cops know they'll get 50%+ of muncipal budgets whether they stop petty crime or not. The most important function cops serve is enforcing property restrictions. Someone might be able to walk out with $10 of items from a shelf, but they certainly aren't able to seize the business and do what they want with it. That's how SWAT teams show up and shoot you. I doubt Walmart wants to invest in a standing army, tanks, automatic weapons, seige weapons, etc.