> And second, it's been proven repeatedly that ratcheting up punishment as some sort of deterrent doesn't work

Who proved that? Have you lived in a high trust society that punishes crimes, or do you not think they exist?

Your point seems to be that people don't believe they will be punished. Everywhere I've been people did know they would be punished, severely. Organized theft in Singapore if you're a male younger than 50 could get you caned. Perhaps you're arguing that public punishment would help raise their awareness?