[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

The Nike store in downtown Bethesda, MD gets robbed twice every week (for the last 3 weeks). A group of people walk in, grab a bunch a stuff and walk out. Nobody does anything. My kids were there last week when it happened -- no violence, they never felt in danger, it was all very civilized, etc. Just seems there are no rules anywhere anymore

When the punishments are subjectively removed in many states, those without moral compass tend to have zero reason to avoid lawlessness. Soon many major cities will lose all ability to purchase important items like basic staples due to states prosecutorial negligent law changes leaving those without the ability to drive out of the city without options. You can't blame stores for leaving when they operate at a loss. The unknowing will state they have insurance but companies or small businesses cannot afford the rates for policies that have claims that are higher than their sales.

The repercussions of this will cause decades of distress for cities and their residents. It's just really sad when I still regularly see the damage the riots of 67' did here that still have never recovered. No one knows what is really coming from these events and you don't want it. One positive in Detroit is that we already know what happens and have quite honestly avoided most of the issues the past years as the city is somewhat self-protective due to our past. It took literally 50 years for real grocery stores to return to the city proper, those that remember their absence don't wish to lose them again.

That said, it still exists and we are trying to keep it from escalating. It's both comforting and sad the couple times a year I go to the nice mall a mile down the road and the luxury side seems to have more armed guards than Blackwater has on the payroll. What a world to raise a kid in...