[TChris]

Exactly how do you catch a mugger, car-jacker, or home burglar in the act? You don't.

...unless you're the victim. By your philosophy, the victim shouldn't try to defend themselves or their home, car, property, etc. but rather let the criminal have free reign of all, to avoid any nasty confrontations. In other words, there is no defense any longer, self or otherwise! ...just let criminals have their way. They might hurt someone. Maybe that should be your tagline, eh?

[blackdog]

You made my point! The victims are not the cops and cops cannot prevent people from becoming victims. Personal defense is a personal responsibility. Many municipalities will no longer respond to home burglaries until the next business day. They will not respond to alarms anymore.

But police cannot prevent or stop crime based on the nature of our society's charter. The only way they can impact crime rates is to make good arrests based on solid evidence presented before a good/wise judicial authority.