It seems like a misdirection of resources to me, like the cops catching speeders on open roads. Instead of investigating and preventing crime they stop someone

It seems like a misdirection of resources to me, like the cops catching speeders on open roads. Instead of investigating and preventing crime they stop someone who is above the speed limit, talk to them really condescendingly and issue a fine. That stuff does wonders for the perception of law enforcement but lines the city's coffers.