I think you are correct but the DA office usually decides whether or not to proceed to court. It could be the DA has given the police "don't bother us with XYZ

I think you are correct but the DA office usually decides whether or not to proceed to court. It could be the DA has given the police "don't bother us with XYZ because we cannot go to court" and so the police don't bother either. Perhaps available jailspace is being triaged and that type of crime will ultimately be given a slap on the wrist so it's a waste of resources. I'm not in California but the news often has stories about California's jail overcrowding situation and having to early release criminals to make space.