To try and answer the OP, and this is my observation from my point of view where I live in the U.S.A. Here goes: There is no institutionalization of mentally retarded and mentally ill in the US anymore, it has been done away with probably 25-30 years ago. These people were sent fron institution into society in group homes. As the govt. runs out of money to "take care" of these people, they become homeless. The people you see pissing in the street are most likely homeless and living like animals. They woul probably be glad to get arrested for public urination and sent to jail- three hots and a cot, but the local govt. don't want to feed them and neither does the State and Federal govt. Local police are interested in arresting people who can afford the fines imposed, that translates to making criminals out of the "working class" basically. Crimes like DUI, drug abuse, bad checks, speeding, street racing ,domestic assault ,or any kind of assault are what police are looking for, the list goes on. There is no revenue dragging mentally ill and homeless off to jail.
