If they can afford to move and have a place to go. If they are in rent controlled buildings, they can’t move. They won’t find the same deal anywhere else.

Yes, they will have to if they can. They need a credit card.

Absolutely.

They think they can stop this by punishing all drivers?  Cars won’t be allowed to drive up to stores.

news.yahoo.com

San Francisco mayor's plan to combat flash mob looting will limit access to stores ahead of holidays

San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced that the city will limit car access to Union Square after recent retail theft.

Read more from news.yahoo.com

I do all my shops g online with my debit card, not a credit card.

I heard all this on a radio show so I don’t have links unless I can find them.  The owner of The Grove which is a big high end shopping mall near Beverly Hills, Rick Caruso, said his mall was not breached.  Now it appears he’s going to fight back and run for Mayor of Los Angeles.  The Nor Cal stores are boarding up windows.  Beverly Hills was hit and has hired two high powered security firms to fight back.  I hope there are no shootings there as a result.  Another billionaire with political aspirations.

https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/rick-caruso-mayor/

I think this will become a real problem for merchants in the future.  How do you possibly defend against this unless you have shatter proof bullet proof windows or no windows and ID required front doors with just a viewing slot? 

It might blow over, too.  Bullet proof glass is an option if they can afford it. Making it a felony and prosecuting might stop it too.  Although it’s hard to make mob charges stick as organized crime, which it is.

The felony vs misdemeanor is determined by value of stolen goods.  The problem is as with riots and protests how do you identify the culprits?  It's long been my thought that half the protesters in a group are opportunistic minor level bad guys just along in case a best buy window gets busted. (Yes I'm jaded and suspicious).