Originally posted by toby400
Draconian gun laws ?
I still believe it is the increasing use of drugs that fuels the rise in crime. Even the old are now victims of the druggies need for his next fix.
I disagree with that old line of thinking. What I have noticed is that most crime (even amongst rural residents) is now more motivated by both "the ability to resell items" or, personally involved domestic relationships.
Here in Chicago, pawn shops are finding an increase in the ability to aid the police department in recovery of theft items. Upon following up on pawn tickets, they are finding the thieves. Of late, a lot more 13 - 16 year olds whose fingerprints were at the crime scenes. Candidates for TV's - Stupid Crimes. But there is starting to be evidence as to where the funds are going. There are many little neighborhood boutique shops that are doing a "recently increasing" business in certain what I call designer "thug" lines of clothing.
The (my personal perspective) strange piece for me is this is counter to what should be as the police recenly have raided several local drug dealer outlets for major quantities. This was combined with busts of several user "pick up spots." So I think the crimes are not being perpetrated by the normal groups.

