Having lived in several west coast cities, is largely a west coast phenomenon and policies enacted by these local governments. SF, Portland, LA, Seattle, etc. all have roots in common thread of policies (reducing or eliminating penalties for crime, dysfunctional governments, housing crisis, reduction in police funding, etc).

> In 2017 Portland ranked third. Now it has dropped to 66th out of 80: https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/06/12/portland-...