Is snitching situational?

In the article “No Free Rides for Snitches”, the author provides a very strong argument against law enforcement allowing leniencies to people who “snitch.” I agree partly with the author but point out that it depends on the offense. My personal guideline has always been will this person hurt themselves or someone else? Although hurt is a very broad definition so it is up to personal judgment.
In the article Bait and Snitch by Alexandra Natapoff of the Slate, it points out the cost to law enforcements for using snitching in crime solving. The author of the Slate and No Free Rides for Snitches point out it creates more criminals because it causes a “slap on the hand” punishment. This may be true in drug abuse but, when it comes to kidnapping case would you rather an accomplice rats on someone who has kidnapped someone. The police with his information are able to find the person and save his or her life. I would rather the accomplice get off with a shorter jail sentence, than anyone gets killed. There are certain situations that I feel it is worthy of using. Some argue it brings a more social strain on an already bad neighborhood, that it undermines loyalty. I would rather criminals feel singled out and paranoid than be able to organize and conquer. I do believe that snitching is the main detective tool in drug cases. This does undermine police investigation making them depend on someone to snitch. This indirectly dulls a detective’s skills for police investigation and can cause wrong arrests. I do agree with the author that nobody should be punished for not snitching. Unless they are a direct accomplice to a crime, they shouldn’t be punished.
In any case snitching should only be used to save someone’s life and not become a new investigative procedure. It hurts the reliability of cases and dulls the skills of investigators on solving crimes.