Controlling The Law

Throughout time there has always been a need to control crime. Some people may say that there is more crime now then there has ever been. The truth is that crime is just kept track of now. The Justice System grows all the time, coming up with new functions, laws, and, processes to make the world a safer place. Patrol functions are used to help enforce the laws and get criminals off the streets. Sting operations, gang control, and drug enforcement are just a few of the specialized patrol functions that work within our communities.

A sting operation is an organized group of detectives who deceive criminals into openly committing illegal acts or conspiring to engage in criminal activities. Sting operations can have both positive and negative effects. A positive side would be that stings retrieve millions of dollars in recovered property. Also, many criminals have been arrested due to a sting operation. Detectives working within a crime,(otherwise known as a fence),is a sure way to catch criminals in the act of committing crimes. The negative side however, is that sting operations run a fine line with entrapment. Innocent people can get caught up into committing crimes when they really had no idea they were doing anything wrong. Some people may get confused between the difference of committing a crime and enforcing the law.

I believe that trying to control gangs is one of the most dangerous operations of law enforcement. Gangs are formed for many different reasons, but they all share one thing in common. They all lack the care and concern for anyone not affiliated with their specific gang. Trying to catch gang members can be tricky as well. The police may go undercover and use various types of surveillance to catch a gang member. Putting their lives on hold and risking everything they know is what every officer faces when working with gang control. By all legal means, getting gang members off the streets would make all communities