Possible we are reading into this more than it is;
Take any profession these days, the new hires, do they really take their job seriously?
For the most part, they wear sunglasses and play on their phones.
There really isn't any hard training, or apprenticeships.
They are complacent.
They don't expect the unexpected, or are prepared for it when "It" happens.
They dress up and "look the part" but can they really do their job?
Small town, mid America and they were not prepared for the unexpected.
It's a new world in the new hire department.