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Notes -
If this is true, why is shoplifting as a societal problem so localized? All of the factors you mention should also apply to Texas, but I have seen exactly one shoplifting event in my entire life. People in LA or San Francisco say they see it every week.
Because in Texas the law, patchy as it is, exists to protect respectable citizens from scoundrels. In California, the law exists to protect scoundrels from respectable citizens.
To put another way, a certain amount of very low level rough justice is tacitly allowed and encouraged by Texas police and, to the extent they know about it, prosecutors. Surely you’ve seen the signs in front of businesses with a man’s picture and full name, captioned ‘Thief!’?
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