"am I the only one who thinks people's reactions are way out of proportion?"
I'd like to have heard you ask that question to my father, bednobs.
He might have reminded you that he travelled across the channel on D+1 in a cold, wet, dangerous, unseaworthy landing-craft - to land on a beach in France, under enemy fire, to help make the country safe for you to be able to ask the question.
There are few things that make me resile from my normally 'lefty' views on crime and the causes thereof - but this is undoubtedly one of them.