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I don't think crime usually has a rational proposition value. If you're desperate or an addict or whatever, you'll take what you can get. I lived in Chicago's

I don't think crime usually has a rational proposition value. If you're desperate or an addict or whatever, you'll take what you can get. I lived in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood (http://spotcrime.com/il/chicago/humboldt+park http://spotcrime.com/il/chicago/humboldt+park) for three years. During that time, my wife's car was broken into for a $99 GPS, that was 4 or 5 years old and had a resale value of maybe $10 at most? My own car was broken into for the near free Sirius radio you get when you sign up for service. This isn't even resellable as Sirius has the serial number and will refuse to active it. This didn't stop them from smashing our windows. Of course, this ignores other types of crime like murder, rape, etc where there is no economic argument at play. Looks to me that there's variety of factors here: a strong economy means the opportunity for jobs instead of joining a gang, abortion access means less unwanted children, foster policies moving from "paycheck" children to permanent adoptive placement, the end of concentrated crime and misery in 'the projects' to section 8 vouchers which lets poor people have a choice in housing, the removal of lead from gas and paint, the rise of cheap CCTV cameras, the rise of CCW permits, the rise of cheap/subsidized college, massive urban gentrification, police gang management policies that encourage stability and limits territory disputes, consolidated drug markets, etc.

arthernan 11y ago
But it does. You even said it yourself. "If you are desperate .. you'll take what you can get." The people that could be the most desperate, or that have the least to lose. Would be homeless, I think homeless don't steal a whole lot because they are fewer, and they don't really have the resources to steal. On the contrary they are more likely to be abused by people with more resources than them. 99% of crime has some economic factor, they have to do with society. Society and economy are inextricably connected.

arthernan 11y ago

But it does. You even said it yourself. "If you are desperate .. you'll take what you can get." The people that could be the most desperate, or that have the least to lose. Would be homeless, I think homeless don't steal a whole lot because they are fewer, and they don't really have the resources to steal. On the contrary they are more likely to be abused by people with more resources than them. 99% of crime has some economic factor, they have to do with society. Society and economy are inextricably connected.