So just how bad is the economy and how bad is the crime problem in New York City? We already know that it’s bad across the country, but New York City is especially the armpit of the nation when it comes to both time and inflation.

Things have gotten so out of control in New York City that some places have started putting products under lockdown. One product in specific is the time-tested Spam. That’s right, Spam is under lock-and-key in some locations around the Big Apple. Spam is not being stocked in plastic, anti-theft cases. I guess it’s getting too hard to keep in stock. How strange is it that this is the product that people want to snatch up?

But it’s not the only product on the shelves. Many stores have been locking up other items such as toothpaste and soap and cans of soup. Starkist tuna is another thing that people seem to be wanting to steal a lot of.

One of the theories as to why these certain products are being stolen so much is because of the Homeless Problem in New York City. The homeless people in the area are looking for something that’s quick and easy to eat and spam is something that you can just eat right out of the can. You don’t even need a can opener to eat some spam. There’s a pull-tab on it that you can just pull it right back and shovel it out.

“To put Spam in a cage is stupid — and kind of insulting to the customers that would buy it,” said shopper Dennis Snow, 46.

“Someone is stealing this because they need it,” agreed Delia Kemph, a 28-year-old teacher.

If they need it, they still shouldn’t steal it. Just because somebody needs something does not justify the means by which they acquire it. If I were going to lose my house because I couldn’t afford the payments every month, it’s not reasonable that I go out and steal my monthly payment from somebody else every month.

Photo Credit: William C. Lopez/NYPOST