Which action is aimed at catching criminals in real-time?

Sting operations are designed specifically to catch criminals in the act and are often carried out covertly to ensure that law enforcement can apprehend suspects as they engage in illegal activities. These operations typically involve undercover officers or decoys who set up situations that lure criminals into committing a crime, allowing for immediate intervention and arrest.

The focus of sting operations is on active engagement during the commission of a crime, which differentiates them from other methods. Community policing, for instance, emphasizes building relationships within the community to prevent crime and improve quality of life, which supports long-term safety rather than immediate apprehension. Patrol routes involve officers regularly monitoring certain areas to deter crime but do not specifically target real-time criminal acts. Public awareness campaigns aim to inform and educate the public about safety and crime prevention, which helps create a more informed public but does not actively engage criminals at the moment they are committing a crime.