of the flyover states by journalists from the "big crime" cities.

However, given the rise of opioid and meth addictions in rural white 'merica, it's also a complete fiction.

When I was growing up in rural Kansas in the 1960s and 1970s it was once true, but only to an extent. Even then we had a bunch of dogs that would raise a ruckus if anyone came up to our house... and wouldn't let them out of the car if there wasn't someone home.

I live in the middle of a major city, less than 10 minutes from downtown. Not at all unusual for me to walk to the store and not lock the front door.

Of course if I were to get robbed, I would be labeled stupid for not locking my door and "inviting" the criminal act. If that happened to someone in Smallville, the perp would be violating the sanctacy of rural life.

The unlocked doors thing plays into that cultural meme that somehow small town folk are just better that us city slickers.

I agree, I hate that reference, but for different reasons.