I don't think it's the drugs. I think there's societal norms (some of which will get expressed via public policy, many don't) that the people who vote to legalize drugs bring with them that are a necessary perquisite for widespread petty crime.

Even cities known for being "rough" at their peak during the crack epidemic didn't have the brazen broad daylight property theft that plagues certain cities today. There's something about.

Heck, even today I don't think you could just break into a car and start stealing shit in a bad part of St. Louis without exposing yourself to some serious occupational hazards from passers by. It seems like on the west coast (and a couple places out east too) the biggest risk you run is people whipping out their phones and filming you.