mainly because of prop 47 passed in 2014. the rot started over 6.9 years ago.
crimes that were “felonies” were downgraded to “misdemeanors” (basically little to zero enforcement and imprisonment by police and prosecutors respectively as “misdemeanors” are considered too costly and timely to prosecute and burden and clog the court, justice, and prison systems):
- Shoplifting, where the value of property stolen does not exceed $950
- Grand theft, where the value of the stolen property does not exceed $950
- Receiving stolen property, where the value of the property does not exceed $950
- Forgery, where the value of forged check, bond or bill does not exceed $950
- Fraud, where the value of the fraudulent check, draft or order does not exceed $950
- Writing a bad check, where the value of the check does not exceed $950
- Personal use of most illegal drugs (Below a certain threshold of weight)[3]
grab anything you want at a store without paying and store clerks and police won’t bother as thieves will not be charged nor prosecuted as there are more serious backlogs to clear.