Rap Task Force - Your thoughts on the NYPD following rappers

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Now this isn't exactly late breaking news, however i've been looking into this more and more ever since I heard about this a little while back.

Now, this may be more interesting to actual rap fans as opposed to let's say, rock fans.. but even still, it's an interesting topic.

It's a fact, (one that the NYPD used to deny but now acknowledges), that New York city actually has a task force that was specifically created to keep tabs on artists and industry insiders within the rap community. As well as possible friends and family members of said people.

A very brief explanation of this so called 'Hip Hop Police':

All Hip Hop

Club 50

Anyways, some people (especially those not into hip-hop) might not see this as such a bad thing. However, should one of the largest police forces in the world really be targeting an entire industry?

While I see it as more of stereotypical look at rap, for the simple fact that many of it's stars came from a criminal lifestyle, many take more of a racial standpoint.

Now like any reasonable person, it's best to look at both sides of this. For example, many of you are aware of the deaths of Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and Christopher 'Notorious B.I.G.' Wallace. Or the more recent death of Jam Master Jay. Some statements made by the NYPD suggested these were some of the reasons such a task force existed. But are rappers the only musicians being murdered? No. Shouldn't the NYPD, treat these incidents like any other homicides, rather than label them 'rap homicides'?

I could go on to point out many reasons why such a unit should not exist in the way it does, and how the 'hip hop police' could be considered racial profiling.

That's not even to mention how all of this could be used in a corrupt way. I liked these comments I found on a website:

Well, it looks like it was originally setup for protection, which I think is fine.

However, we all know the NYPD and the Miami Police Force...if you want corrupt, you'll find it there in a second.

and something to make you think..

Yeah, Biggie and Pac were under heavy surveillance too. We know the cops hated them. Funny how their both dead now.

Anyways, this whole rant here (even though I kinda summed it up briefly) was just to get some feedback on what some other people thought about this. Whether into hip hop or not, what do you think?

Also any MODS, this is focusing on Police relations concerning the entire Hip Hop industry. Not just something about music, so please don't move it into Music O'Rama..