Think about it; a bunch of cops got a free "Ladies Night Out" of boozing at local clubs, while some others no doubt racked up a bit of risk-free overtime, all on the taxpayer's (considerable) dime. Plus, they get to look like they're cracking down on a "serious" problem (at least initially), and they get a gold star or whatever from the Mayor and City Attorney to boot.

I mean seriously, aside from the apparently unanticipated public backlash, the aggressive pushback from the Nightlife Coalition, the sinking of the more onerous ordinance favored by Hizzoner, and what now appears to be a good chance for a complete judicial rejection of the charges - otherwise, it was "a plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel."

I don't think they flashed pictures of any of the club employees, but rather they just used some random photos on the (clearly false) pretext of investigating a sex predator case in order to obtain those employees home addresses so they could serve the (suspiciously late mailed) court appearance papers.

Because clubs have established policies in place to attract women: cheap drinks, no cover, and no doubt a documented body of marketing strategy that says attractive (young?) women are good for business. I mean, everybody knows it's easier for women to drink underage than men, and it isn't just because door men are men.

That might be just sufficient to show intent -- or at least motive.