You can't apply a blanket statement like that to a country of 330M people and half a dozen time zones. The US is not a homogeneous blob of identical humans, customs, cultures, and governance priorities. Even among "coastal elite" cities the difference in policing (and attitudes towards policing) you see between places like SF and Manhattan is stark to say the least.

I am not talking about incarceration, just simple policing. Not letting homeless build tents or sleep at entrances of business or buildings is a good start. Making sure people feel safe should be no. 1 priority of any government.