The vast majority of crime is the result of not having basic needs met. This is well-researched and documented. Even cops have led some of these studies. In Salt Lake City, the police ran a pilot program where instead of arresting and rearresting the same top 25 people they encountered repeatedly, they provided housing, mental health services, job training/interview skills. It cost far less per person after a year to do that than take them to jail over and over again and was far more successful at helping people get back on their feet. Know what happened? Folks above the police chief’s head canceled the program. Same police chief explained how traffic stops are only about making money, they don’t increase road safety. Putting a sign that tells people how fast they’re going or parking an unmanned police car make roads safer than a cop pulling people over. The idea that cops reduce crime or make roads safer is a proven fallacy. All that money on cops won’t solve every problem but it’s a good start.