Yep, but it happens all kinds of ways not just one way.
I bet anything in this thread there are people who have barely lived in California, let alone reasonable amount in metro areas, who go by and comment on shyt they have no first-hand experience in, that they see on social media.
Theft is def a major problem and people grew tired of it and they want more repercussions for those who engage in it. When they think they tightened the screws too loose they will see saw back. It's natural and makes sense.
I'm in Cali. Can't speak to the actual crime numbers but there's definitely a sentiment of everyone being tired of crazies pulling off reckless, egregious crime and getting slaps on the wrist and even support for it. Aside from the running up in retail stores, we've been had a homeless problem where it's common for people to be walking around with their dikks out, taking shyts in the street, getting aggressive with people and overall drugged out behavior.
Had an apartment that was pretty normal pre-COVID, but got overrun with zombies during the pandemic arguing in the hallways about bad crack and fentanyl deals. I don't have any proof, but the fact that people doing drugs all day and obviously not working were staying in the same place I gotta work to afford can only mean the landlord was getting a check to get people off the street. So now it's our problem. My wife was pregnant as fukk at the time so thank God I was able to grind my way out of it and live in a much better, more secure community now.
One of my homies in another city recently moved out of Cali because stuff like this was the last straw. He had to grab the ratchet because his townhouse common area got broken into by some dude who was drugged out and threatening people, but the powers that be in the building were tip-toeing around figuring out how to get him out because of some law or some other reason instead of common sense.
And neither one of us lived in the hood or any area you couldn't otherwise walk around and feel safe. Then you consider rap artists and other prominent people getting gunned up in home invasions or very public places.
People aren't just on edge and sick of this shyt because of Tik Tok or someone juking the stats. It's been building up for a while.