Quote Originally Posted by wufwugy View Post
I pushback on two main things: (1) this is something we would want to see data on if possible.
Use your google machine man. Find a map showing poverty in the US. Then find a map showing crime in the US. Superimpose one on top of the other and see what happens.

(2) If x is the cost of crime and y is the benefit of crime, if x>y then the person doesn't commit crime. Due to normal human preferences, x can be greater than y for both rich and poor people. While you are right about how people poor could lower x, it might not lower it enough to be greater than y.
It's not a straight mathematical equation as the perception of X (the cost of crime) can change based on environmental factors. For example, have you ever driven a busy highway where it seems like everyone is doing 15+ mph over the speed limit? This happens because everyone sees everyone else speeding, and they just keep up. The cost of crime (potential of getting pulled over) is low. However, if you were driving on that same road late at night with no one else on the road, you are far more likely to observe the speed limit.

This is actually contrary to safety concerns as you'd prefer to drive slower in congested traffic. The change in speed seems directly correlated to the likelihood of getting caught.