Due to the lack of police enforcement and prosecution by the courts, a segment of the populace has figured out that they can do things like this and get away with it, with no consequences.

There's a segment of the population that seems to believe this kind of looting and other theft/crime is largely a product of poverty; that if we would increase the minimum wage, have more affordable housing, and generally improve the conditions of the working poor, that these crimes would go away.

I believe that kind of thinking is dangerous and foolish.

The punishment for petty crime in cities has been getting smaller and finally reach a threshold that people no longer see it as a real deterrent.

Or there are more desperate people now willing to take the risks than before. Or some combination of both.

Ah yes, desperate people that need designer handbags to survive. They’re so desperate, they pull up in their private vehicles to commit such an act of desperation. Their desperation has inspired them to dress in hoodies and a mask to prevent identification.

I strongly suspect they’re fencing them, and if you’re going to commit a crime a mask is a good idea. As is getting the most bang for your buck, committing crimes repeatedly is a good way to get caught.

These aren't desperate people trying to feed their starving infant babies; it's organized crime. Their get away vehicles are often nicer than my car.

Do you have some data? I’m curious to learn more.

The lack of workers rights, the high price of housing, and the lack of decent social safety nets has helped to create a lot of poor, desperate people and a high property crime rate, high enough that police do not have enough manpower to prevent them or even respond to them.