The rise in crime is not surprising whatsoever. With rising prices and wages that have been stagnant for over 40 years, what did we all expect? Those who are desperate steal just to make a living. They eventually get arrested and sent to jail over that. Politicians like to say, “Tough on Crime”, but they fail to realize the root causes of crime. Even if they do, they make up silly reasons. People don’t commit crimes because they want to. Crime doesn’t happen on its own. They commit crimes when situations are so desperate that they don’t even have a couple dollars to buy basic necessities. In the richest country in the planet, this is shameful, and steps should be taken to make sure that people can afford basic necessities.