I totally agree on the food tip. They're not stealing because they're hungry/trying to feed their family. There are lots of programs (with lots of hoops) for that type stuff.
That said, a lot of what gets stolen is stuff for resale. Laundry Detergent for example. Dude selling Tide at the barbershop is a normal thing. I was on the train and chick was trying to sell me some "Glade Plug Ins". LOL. That to me is telling me something about the economics going on.
Are they all drug addicts? Born thieves? Layabouts and raggamuffins? Professionals? Addicted to the "easy money"?
Whatever it is, the city can't address that. I'm not sure if Beverly Hills level intervention can address that. (See Winona Ryder and her thieving ass)
The councilman in the news segment is probably working to get investment and jobs into his district. But why would any private investment move forward when a long standing existing business there is bleeding to death?
That councilman is likely born and raised in DC, probably 6th generation family there. Certain he knows the full details of the history and social conditions. And that he's tried to direct and distribute resources to residents. He is calling out the bottom feeders who want to take shortcuts. And by HIM doing it, it calls BS on the ones who don't acknowledge that element.
There is a lowlife element that will always take shortcuts rather than earning an honest living. Have to jail and remove as many of them from communities before they victimize more people and ruin the quality of life for the regular residents.
If that store closes, that access to fresh fruit vegs./fruit is gone and so are the jobs. And future investment and development that could bring more jobs and goods/services is gone also.
The few will ruin things for the many. Have to prevent that from happening. No other way around it.
