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Are 'bait cars' manufacturing crime?

I realize crime is declining, but is it really so rare that police have to manufacture crimes instead of investigating those that are reported? I missed this story when it came out a couple of weeks ago, but the Austin Statesman had an interesting piece about Austin PD's "bait car" program, where the agency leaves a vehicle filled with surveillance equipment parked out in the open with the windows down and the keys in it. According to reporter Michael May ("Police bait car program lands couple who reported suspicious vehicle in court," July 26):The undercover program produced 70 warrants or arrests in 2008 and 13 this year, according to Sgt. Oliver Tate with the Police Department's auto theft interdiction unit. In the past, Detective John Spillers has been quoted as saying the program has caught suspects as young as 13...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on August 09, 2009 (boomark / email).