Most departments are understaffed. Turns out all the negative press against police is having long term impacts on how many kids want to grow up and become a police officer.

Also property crimes always take a backseat to more violent crimes.

In many cases the police and sheriffs themselves are not hiring because they are faced with choice of keeping high pension payouts or hiring more people

Also, the background check process is intense, (and deals with the exact same understaffing problems) and it turns out that most people aren't willing to wait for nine months to get vetted for an entry-level job.

It's insane that police officer is an entry level job, no wonder you have so many issues with the police in the US.

Not sure if you're blaming the press for doing their jobs...

> Robbers and burglers basically have immunity now because the police is busy with... I'm not sure what.

Robbers and burglars usually get attention.

Petty theft that does not involve robbery or burglary doesn't, but there is a world of difference between the three crimes.

Depends wildly on the area, but property crimes rarely go about a 20% clear rate. That is, 80% of the time criminals get away with it.

Some areas even murder is 60%.

A healthy society keeps people from committing crimes, not a giant police force.