To date there have been many tactics in which police departments utilize in order to become effective in fighting crime. Three out of many tactics that police departments use are sting operations, efforts against drunk drivers, and fighting aggressive driving.
Sting operations are probably one of law enforcements favorable tactic when fighting crime. Sting operations are usually well choreographed setups for criminals to come into contact with and either create unlawful business or conduct on influencing criminal acts with the intention of building up criminal cases. In these operations the police department usually always wins because of the work hours and all of the police personnel whom are involved. In a sense because of what I have seen on television I personally believe that these sting operations are effective because they are strategically planned and well targeted against full time criminals.
Efforts against drunk drivers have been law enforcement’s priorities but it hasn’t been long until departments across America have setup programs to assist in finding drunk drivers. In my home city of San Antonio, Texas, the police department has made a huge effort to create a program called STEP. This programs mandate is to get drunk drivers out of the road and out of jail. These police officers do not take calls and drive unmarked dark colored sedans. These officers work overtime hours and patrol the highways of San Antonio. I believe that this tactic is very successful because I always see vehicles pulled over usually at night when the STEP program is enforced.
Fighting aggressive driving is also one of law enforcements highest problems in which they are trying to fix. Just like the STEP program above police departments across America have created units in which are mandated to find aggressive drivers, educate, cite and ensure that roads are safe for all motorists. During the day here in my home city I always see unmarked vehicles working the highways looking for aggressive drivers and in a sense I do believe that they are very effective in this area as well.
I believe that all of these tactics do work and are very important but when looking at one that would be most important to implement I would choose efforts against drunk driving. More and more people die today of drunk driving than that of many other motorist deaths. I believe that people must be held accountable for their poor judgment when driving under the influence. Personally, this issue is deep in my heart because I lost my best friends mother to drunk driving and do not wish it upon anyone to go through what myself and my friend have gone through.
