I like the "photograph and send a ticket" approach, like speed cameras, for things like busted tail lights. No need to pull anyone over, nothing gets escalated.

I also like body cameras on officers and GoPro cameras in vehicles, as well as security cameras generally. However, citizens have to realize the tradeoff of 24 hour surveillance vs. privacy and freedom, and right now I believe most are ready to sacrifice that for their security. London (CCTV everywhere), here we come.

Two more data points: Timothy McVeigh, the bomber of the Oklahoma City federal building (168 killed), was caught 90 minutes after the bombing when he was pulled over by a highway patrol officer for driving without a license plate. Jodi Arias, convicted murderer of Travis Alexander, was stopped and questioned about an upside down license plate. (It was not what led to her being captured, but it placed her in an area at a certain point in the time line of the crime.)
So if we really don't want more proactive policing, we have to realize these 2 would never have been stopped in the first place.