So these types of photos are much more important than people want to believe. They are directly related to how an increase in crime in this country always leads to conservative election wins, and how the Dems constantly shoot themselves in the dick on law, order, and crime.
All this shit taps into our deep subconscious. First, safety is at the very bottom of the hierarchy of needs, right above food and water. And the thing about safety is that we are not willing to accept a perceived loss of security in exchange for someone else to feel more secure. In international relations this is called the security dilemma-- a state that makes other states feel less secure in the process of making itself more secure is headed down a path of confrontation and war. Messaging lesson for Dems: Ensure that every talking point on police reforms, criminal justice reform, community safety, etc. emphasizes how they will lead to improved safety for ALL constituents and potential constituents. Otherwise the Rs will beat you by promising more safety for their chosen constituents.
Second-- and this is fucking primate, chimpanzee brain shit-- we are hardwired to HATE disadvantageous unfairness. Capuchin monkeys would rather that no monkey get any treat at all than accept one treat for themselves while another monkey gets three. Kids are the same way. (Important note-- monkeys, kids, and a lot of adults are usually fine if they are the ones getting more treats). And when people see images of shit getting stolen and people getting away with it, that monkey instinct kicks in. Someone is getting away with something, to my detriment, while I am following the rules. And the argument (more or less explicitly stated by some Dems and community activists) that we should tolerate a certain level of visceral, easily visible disadvantageous unfairness because of broader structural inequities that are behind the crime-- is just a non-starter on the monkey brain level. It can be accepted only as long as that unfairness can be disassociated from you personally. And that's hard to do with a train full of stolen Amazon shipments.