I'm not sure how to interpret "keep people honest", but you should know that most crime statistics show downturns during economic slowdowns, for similar reasons as the article. People stay home more. Most crime seems to be crimes of convenience, and if you don't see the thing to steal/murder, then you don't steal/murder. I strongly suspect this is partly why premeditated crime tends to be dealt with more harshly.
Source: good friends with a public defender.