There is an odd hilarity in all this becoming normal. But there is a tragedy to it as well. A tragedy that as crime has risen in this city, it is the stores and the citizenry who have had to adjust our behavior to fit around the life choices of the criminals.

For millions of New Yorkers, the whole business of the most basic shopping has become belabored with inconvenience. Convenience stores are anything but. And so inevitably more of us end up buying our basics online and our city’s much-needed stores die a little more with each click of the computer.

Yet there are ways around this. This city could take even comparatively “minor” crimes like shoplifting seriously again. It seems that only murder grabs the attention of our present DA. But there is no reason why this city could not make sure that those who regard our city’s stores as a free-for-all are made to pay. And not just in the stores. But in time spent down at the local jail.