Amazingly, even before computers existed, local cops had a pretty good idea who the troublemakers were in their town and where they were likely to be found.
As I posted, targeting criminals costs the various government groups money. If you target people who have jobs and families you can generate positive cash flow. If these people don’t agree with the government political ideas then they are the best ones to target.
We have no ‘local cops’ and the contracts with the county Sheriff and State Police don’t provide coverage from 2330 until 0600. They don’t act on information the locals provide anyway, so some take matters into their own hands - just like their parents and grandparents did. Strange how that drug dealer’s house just burned to the ground; nope, didn’t hear a thing. Sure, we’ll let you know if we have any information.