Here's what the RCW says about "entrap"
It is a class 1 civil infraction for any person, other than the owner thereof or his authorized agent, to knowingly shoot, kill, maim, injure, molest, entrap, or detain any Antwerp Messenger or Racing Pigeon
Who knew?
I think the point Pete is arguing, and I happen to aggree with, is that the police are walking a thin line. I've gotten pulled over for simply 'reving' my car's engine...for an undercover cop to sit at a stop light and rev and lurch his Ricer in an attempt to get me to 'launch' on him is borderline.
Of course it'd be 'my' actions which held that tach at 3500, then, with a beautiful blend of clutch and gas pedal, executed a perfect launch. But to 'bait' somebody into racing? If the State will prosecute BOTH parties in a race, that implies shared guilt. IMO, the cops are soliciting a race, and it could be argued that had they NOT been there reving their engines, the person ticketed would NOT have tried to engage them.
A bait car for car theft is different. It's not like the cops put out a car with a "FREE" sign on it...they don't drive BY somebody and yell out the window "Hey! We're about to leave this car in an empty parking lot!!
