[Myrddin]

That's a fine idea until you put it in practice. What happens if the majority of the persons engaged the shoplifting behavior are from one or two racial groups? The apprehension statistics would support the notion that you were preferentially targeting those groups. It's a no win situation. Those groups expect a license to steal. Anyone who attempts to stop the behavior is going to be accused of racial profiling.

[Siamese Princess]

That's a fine idea until you put it in practice. What happens if the majority of the persons engaged the shoplifting behavior are from one or two racial groups? The apprehension statistics would support the notion that you were preferentially targeting those groups. It's a no win situation. Those groups expect a license to steal. Anyone who attempts to stop the behavior is going to be accused of racial profiling.

Exactly. In today's society, though, we must pretend that there are no racial differences in the propensity for criminal behavior. To do otherwise is to be considered a "racist," even if telling the truth.

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

Maybe you've hit on the REAL problem...relying on statistics rather than the more arduous task of digging for the truth.