I suspect that some crime would decrease if poverty were to be eleminated. However a great deal of crime seems to be anger at past wrongs and "getting back at whitey"
We also live in a culture that glorifies the rich even though most of the rich are not very nice people. So, when people are unable to get what they think is comming to them, or what they see on TV as being the "way to live", these people act out in ways that try to gratify this craving.
street cleanrers and sewer workers are on the front lines of protecting all of us from disease, yet they are looked down on, while people whos only skill and interest is to catch or throw a ball, or who have "a great body" are treated with a fanatical level of interest by the public.
America's ego is writing checks its body cant cash"....ok ok so I could not resist a Top Gun line, it does fit though.