From a research standpoint, it's nearly impossible to ascertain the exact numbers, simply because of the nature of the investigations. Hence the limitation on my thesis research. lol
My personal estimates, at least in my own state, are pretty high in terms of infiltration rate. Historically the alphabet agencies have a trend of infiltrating and even controlling entire movements, and I think that very well may be the case here.
What I would disagree with you on is the 'ineptitude of the system of policing.' While we may see this for the crappy tactic that it is, and the overall incompetence of the justice system at large, it's also a testament to something far more insidious than simple ineptitude. They're purposely choosing emotionally vulnerable, easily manipulated targets, for the purpose of cultivating and exploiting them, and getting them to commit the crimes that the rest of us aren't committing. That's evil...but I cannot get past the part where we always have a choice. Even the vulnerable, even the easily manipulated, even those with lesser intelligence who can't tie their shoes, have the ability to say no. Free will coupled with responsibility is the hallmark of liberty, is it not? I think it's a cop out on some level to simply say it proves ineptitude. I think it actually proves far more than that...and I also think we need to do a better job hardening our minds against such exploitation.
I understand your statements. Yes, you are responsible for your actions. But, we do not live in a bubble.
What I mean by ineptitude is not what you picked out.
It is the state of the entire policing system. It could be said that they wouldn't know a crime even if it happened right in front of their eyes. All of the situations I have actually seen with my two eyes have fallen into two camps; the police knew nothing of what was happening or the police were at the bottom of what was happening.
When the laws and codes are so numerous that everyone is guilty, they just haven't been caught yet, and known bad guys are walking on the street (everyone knows who they are... except the cops) then you have a group of inept law enforcers.
But, it is more prevalent to talk about how communities have actually gone about cleaning up crime. All of them have one thing in common, the police had no part of it. (maybe a police man, as a man, but not the police)
Things like cleaning up the entire neighbourhood. Fixing everything and painting everything. Because, it has been found that just a broken window drags down the mood in the neighbourhood, and that drags more things down, and that attracts the criminal element.
Another is real after school programs. Real programs that teach real things to young men. And, I don't mean artsy crafty shit. (the boys who like that, are usually home artsing it up) I mean real skills and real using your muscles. Planting trees, building sheds, taking apart cars...
And another is this guy in Detroit who runs a citizens patrol. They don't arrest anyone. They arrive at a conflict and de-escalate the situation. They keep their area safe and almost free from crime. And they don't do anything like the police do.
Now that you explain your position, I do see what you're saying, and agree with you. Generally when you hear about a community cleaning itself up, it's just that. Neighbors taking the initiative to patrol, etc.
I would also agree that the cops are generally PART of the issue as opposed to being the 'force for good' that they claim to be. It seems that you can get a band of completely harmless and even (at times) fairly stupid folks together, and you'll probably only have to worry about some memes and maybe an uneventful gun rally or two. Throw some feds in the mix, however, and suddenly you've got a bunch of guys who think they're "divinely inspired" and want to pull off some kind of historic act.