Crime is a massive problem in our civilization. It is because we don't strike fear into individuals for their actions. Ancient Rome, Macedon, Medieval Europe, Ottomans, Ming China, etc. All the great powers in history had dreadful punishments but it was to enforce fear and respect from society to keep people in line. We don't have that and our country has run amok. There is a reason they stoned people in the Bible or hanged people in the 1800s. We take people like Jeffrey Dahmer and put them in prisons that seem like paradise compared to prisons of the past and make them into celebrities. Hollywood isn't any better with movies that glorify crime and criminals (Fast and Furious, Oceans 11, Scarface, Godfather, etc.). Add in the hot women chasing the "bad boys" and you got a systematic culture national that supports and encourages crime. This isn't a Memphis, Atlanta, Los Angeles issue; it isn't an issue of a specific set of people or race; this is a NATIONAL ISSUE.
No Responsibility so people think they can get away with anything in our country.
We need stricter penalties and to re-enforce the death penalty.
We need a culture that embraces respect for society and authority as well as care for others.
Until we start making strides in the right direction, these issues are going to continue.