Originally Posted by Blue Order
Which would you prefer? A bike theft sting that nets a couple of slobs (who saw an opportunity and took it) on a felony charge, or a bike theft sting that busts a bike theft ring? Which one is likely to put a dent in bike theft?
This one was all show and no go.
If someone sees an opportunity to commit a crime and takes it, I don't refer to them as "slobs", I prefer to call them "criminals". Honest, law-abiding citizens who see the opportunity to commit a crime will walk away from the opportunity. Thankfully, these people make up the vast majority of our population.
I'd prefer to see a bike theft ring get busted than one isolated criminal. Obviously, breaking up a ring will do more to curb thefts than busting a person acting alone. However, this isn't an "either-or" proposition. Law enforcement should go after both the petty criminals as well as organized theft rings. And both the ringleaders and petty criminals should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.