Even here in Boston I would be pretty surprised if I did that and my wallet were stolen anywhere but the most high-throughput of places like a highway rest stop. A restaurant? I'd be shocked.

The world is a lot less dangerous than I think a lot of people believe.

SF is signaling it’s ok to be a criminal, because maybe someone was poor and doesn’t know better?

even if it’s true there will be people to take advantage of it. the sf bay created its own toxic political environment and they’re paying the price.

this kind of overall breakdown is happening in places that aren't just SF though. I moved away from my hometown in South Dakota, moved back a few years later, and was shocked to see how much more common theft is at stores, how most gas stations near major roads now have hired security at night, and so forth. local law enforcement is constantly putting out PSAs telling people to not leave firearms in their unlocked vehicles at night as they're being stolen and used in crime.

What's the rate of opioid and amphetamine abuse there?

exactly, that has been a major contributor of the problem in the timespan I'm talking about (decade or so).

I once left my wallet in a bar in China. I came back for it a few hours later and it was still there.

Also left my bag with my laptop in a bar in Denmark once and it was there the day after, when I came back looking for it.