> What changed?

Demographics.

I think a reduction in penalties for shoplifting is also probably at play. Decades ago some areas had whatever demographics you are probably referring to and at that time they didn’t lock stuff up there (IME anyway).

Which demographics, specifically?

Those of criminals, especially repeat-offenders

Both a Walmart and a Target near me recently moved large portions of their inventories to locked cases. I was told by workers there it was due to the massive shoplifting caused by an increase in homeless/addict population combined with laws preventing store security from effectively blocking shoplifters.

The "abolish the police" movement did not manage to actually abolish the police, but it did drastically decrease enforcement and prosecution of crimes perceived as minor or petty, like shoplifting. Police are not eager to try to enforce the law against it when they risk getting crucified if any encounter goes wrong and the suspect is likely to be released immediately due to bail reform and get their charges dropped.

Downvoted by the leftist idiots on this site who seemingly have absolutely zero understanding of cause and effect. Let them reap the consequences of their idiocy

Hahahaha. The cops regularly shoot dogs and refuse to save kids. The day they worry about being "crucified" for literally any behavior at all will be a day to celebrate.

Then you should be celebrating now, as many of them refuse to investigate petty crimes nowadays due to fear of becoming the next Chauvin.

They never investigated them in the first place, my guy. Law enforcement can't manage to solve half of the murder cases in the country, let alone anything less dire.

I don't think you realize how little policing the police actually do lol