this post was submitted on 07 Jan 2024
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It turns out shoplifting isn’t spiraling out of control, but lawmakers are pushing for tougher penalties for low-level and nonviolent crimes anyway.

Over the last couple of years, it seemed that America was experiencing a shoplifting epidemic. Videos of people brazenly stealing merchandise from retailers often went viral; chains closed some of their stores and cited a rise in theft as the primary reason; and drugstores such as CVS and Walgreens started locking up more of their inventory, including everyday items like toothpaste, soaps, and snacks. Lawmakers from both major parties called for, and in some cases even implemented, more punitive law enforcement policies aimed at bucking the apparent trend.

But evidence of a spike in shoplifting, it turns out, was mostly anecdotal. In fact, there’s little data to suggest that there’s a nationwide problem in need of an immediate response from city councils or state legislatures. Instead, what America seems to be experiencing is less of a shoplifting wave and more of a moral panic.

Now, those more forgiving criminal justice policies are at risk, in part because of a perceived trend that appears to have been overblown.

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[–] originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 150 points 10 months ago (13 children)

"a moral panic".... generating this is standard operating procedure for the people in charge.

if you want to bring the hammer down, develop 'a moral panic' and get those susceptible constituents to go along with it.

hate brown people? pretend there is an immigration problem. scared of homosexuals? dont ya know, theyre comin to convert your kids.

"a moral panic" is the rod conservatives use to beat their voters into submission with.

[–] AnneBonny@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (9 children)

*>"a moral panic" is the rod conservatives use to beat their voters into submission with.

Not just conservatives.

FTA:

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference on reducing shoplifting.

Edit: Apparently I don't know shit about Eric Adams, who was not only a cop, but a supporter of the "stop and frisk" policy.

[–] VikingHippie@lemmy.wtf 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

"Not just conservatives" he says and mentions fascist cop (but I repeat myself) Eric Adams as an example 🤦

Fun* fact: most of the Dem party top is conservative to the point of being to the right of Reagan

*and by "Fun" I mean tragic and infuriating

[–] AnneBonny@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 10 months ago

“Not just conservatives” he says and mentions fascist cop (but I repeat myself) Eric Adams as an example 🤦

Yeah, I deserved that. I didn't do my research.

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