Do you recall the mandatory memo delivered to many towns across the US straight from DC, "If you see something, say something"? Or DHS's leaked memo that BY IDENTITY that single out conservatives as "terrorists"?
Don't think local and state officials haven't been encouraged in fedguv memos to "go off the deep end" with impunity. OR having even been seduced with possible rewards.
This kind of "off the deep end" LE behavior and attitude has become epidemic. You believe its a coincidence; I don't.
I guess I'm just not blessed with your imagination.