By-the-book Police officers are not much more than the physical arm of the political tide...
True story:
Prior to the Superbowl my business partner and myself are at a nudie bar to meet with a fellow about leasing one of his buildings (his "office" was in the back of the bar) while waiting we witnessed him meeting with one of the prominent city council members. During this time a crew was building "private dance booths" in the back of the bar.
Jacksonville, like many cities banned any nudity in bars serving alchohol.
While waiting, we watched the topless girl dancing on stage and drank a beer... (yes we tipped her) After finishing with the council member we had our meeting with the owner...
About 2 months after the Superbowl the Police raided this and three other bars, the "private booths" were promptly removed, and the dancers put their tops back on. (after getting bailed out of course)
Obviously since times are tough we'll see elevated traffic enforcement and fines as well, pretty much anything short of an assault here gets you an over-the-phone case#. Granted, I also have two stores outside of Jacksonville, with very different law-enforcement examples.
When I catch a shoplifter and have it on video and the cop still won't arrest him...
Sorry if I don't buy into the "don't have a choice" or "my sworn duty" line. I won't even go into my experiances with the State attorney.