Originally Posted by Ustwo

The assumption is that in doing something like this, resources that could be used fighting 'real' crime are not being used for said crimes?

How many people do 'real' time for stealing a purse? By setting traps like this is sends a message to the criminals that not all 'easy' targets are really easy targets.

I'm not sure why this would be so offensive to anyone provided it was done in such a way as to not entrap otherwise law abiding citizens.