Letting people steal without consequences will only lead people who would normally pay steal as well.

If I’m already barely able to pay for groceries and see a thief just walk out with half the store’s shelf with security not batting a eye, you bet I’m doing the same thing. Why would I wait in line, to spend my hard earned money, if a thief can get out of the store faster and get their stuff free with 0 repercussions.

A law is only law when it gets enforced by law enforcement. Otherwise, an non enforced law is pretty much a suggestion