That’s not quite how it works, and for legal matters starting any statement with a blanket “In America” you’re almost always starting off on the wrong foot. Laws in America vary state by state, including shoplifting. But that said, I don’t know of anywhere here where it is actually legally fair game. Different states have differing thresholds where they theoretically start giving a shit.
I believe what you’re thinking of, for example, in California they have de facto decriminalized (but not de jure legalized) shoplifting amounts of less then $950 by classifying this as a misdemeanor under state law, which the police are extremely unlikely to bother to investigate. And even if they do and someone is caught, it is rarely effectively prosecuted. That’s not the same as being “legal.”
News to me mate, though looking through recent articles for anything with the term looting in it and all I can find are two isolated incidents in cities hit by hurricanes. You sure about that?
Even if they did, do you really want to pay more taxes to throw them in jail for 50$ worth of food? For the homeless folks, that’s basically a paid vacation.
When you have folks on the street committing crime just to try and get into jail and off the streets, the system is broken.
Could have sworn I read a story of a homeless guy that would walk into a bank with a note that says “this is a robbery” or some such, then waits to be arrested. Never used a weapon, never tried to fight back or escape. Why? Because he wanted to go back to prison. Three meals a day, roof over your head. Better than freezing to death inches away from a warm room.
I worked in retail up until 2020. We definitely called the police and shared videos of thefts much less than $1k. If it was a $5 impulse item, whatever. But actual product? Police showed up, the thieve was trespassed if they were recognizable.
I once saw a man in court for stealing a $200 video camera. I’m not sure why you think theft has become legal, but I assure you, at least in my jurisdiction, your statement is patently incorrect.
doesn’t make it legal, its just not cost effective to enforce. corporations build cases against people who shoplift until theyve hit a threshold, but i mean…its just how business is done.
Its not like cops will help you if they see a guy actively stabbing you, doesnt mean its legal to stab folks.
The police don’t show up because the police aren’t called. Stores are willing to lose money until they have lost enough to actually file charges against somebody.
In America everything under $1000 is fair game to be stolen. Its such a minor charge the police do not show up.
That’s not quite how it works, and for legal matters starting any statement with a blanket “In America” you’re almost always starting off on the wrong foot. Laws in America vary state by state, including shoplifting. But that said, I don’t know of anywhere here where it is actually legally fair game. Different states have differing thresholds where they theoretically start giving a shit.
I believe what you’re thinking of, for example, in California they have de facto decriminalized (but not de jure legalized) shoplifting amounts of less then $950 by classifying this as a misdemeanor under state law, which the police are extremely unlikely to bother to investigate. And even if they do and someone is caught, it is rarely effectively prosecuted. That’s not the same as being “legal.”
So you agree its legal to steal in America?
Maybe you missed the story from like, last week, where police killed a pregnant woman over some groceries.
No
Failed Reading Comprehension: The Speedrun
Tell me you’re not an American without telling me you’re not an American.
That doesn’t negate the fact that Americans are looting more than they were 3 years ago.
More dog whistles please
News to me mate, though looking through recent articles for anything with the term looting in it and all I can find are two isolated incidents in cities hit by hurricanes. You sure about that?
gets called out for making untrue assumptions about the US based on clickbait headlines
retorts with more info scraped from clickbait headlines
Yanks sure are shtyoopid innit bruv
That’s not the same thing as made legal.
It’s called enforcement bias.
They don’t investigate wage theft until the media starts talking about it. And they don’t.
https://images.app.goo.gl/hxpeBuRWCW5GGwFJ7
Even if they did, do you really want to pay more taxes to throw them in jail for 50$ worth of food? For the homeless folks, that’s basically a paid vacation.
When you have folks on the street committing crime just to try and get into jail and off the streets, the system is broken.
Could have sworn I read a story of a homeless guy that would walk into a bank with a note that says “this is a robbery” or some such, then waits to be arrested. Never used a weapon, never tried to fight back or escape. Why? Because he wanted to go back to prison. Three meals a day, roof over your head. Better than freezing to death inches away from a warm room.
I worked in retail up until 2020. We definitely called the police and shared videos of thefts much less than $1k. If it was a $5 impulse item, whatever. But actual product? Police showed up, the thieve was trespassed if they were recognizable.
I once saw a man in court for stealing a $200 video camera. I’m not sure why you think theft has become legal, but I assure you, at least in my jurisdiction, your statement is patently incorrect.
doesn’t make it legal, its just not cost effective to enforce. corporations build cases against people who shoplift until theyve hit a threshold, but i mean…its just how business is done.
Its not like cops will help you if they see a guy actively stabbing you, doesnt mean its legal to stab folks.
The police don’t show up because the police aren’t called. Stores are willing to lose money until they have lost enough to actually file charges against somebody.