Why is it so hard to break up a riot?

[Zeze]

It's called a RIOT where people feel invincible united as a big mass.

If you make a wrong move, it just fuels the fire to further rioting. The very definition of rioting is acting without thinking in a rage.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Because their country is chock full of pussys, that's why. They were even scared to use "the water cannons" on them. Oh noes! Not the water cannons!

Honestly, that was it. There were simply too scared of somebody getting a scratch or injured.

Like the Police were any more effective here during the Los Angeles riots...

 

[edro]

Rubber bullet shot guns are awesome.
They are a visual and audible repellent and also hurt like hell.

 

[Brainonska511]

They should announce on a loud speaker that if people don't stop, lethal force will be used. If they don't stop, start chuckign grenades. Make this a standard. After a while people will listen.

How's that working out in Syria?

 

[qliveur]

They should just spray the crowd with napalm and threaten to set them on fire if they don't cease and desist.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I know most folks have read about mob mentality even if they've never experienced it. Perhaps a pack of dogs or wolves can be more readily understood. Hurting or subduing and individual does nothing to slow or break up a pack.

Like a pack, mobs can only be stopped by stopping all members OR, sometimes they can be stopped by shock. If the police selected a person or two from the mob and disemboweled them before decapitating them and mounting their heads on pikes while simultaneously projecting their actions on skyscrapers and all media channels with amplified sound of every drop of blood hitting the street, they might be able to defuse the mob.

Since no one is willing to pay that price, police do their best to ride it out.

 

[TheNinja]

Because as others have mentioned, you don't want to escalate the situation if it is a somewhat peaceful riot, b/c you are outnumbered. However I believe if a stronger display of force is used, many rioters will break up and go home.

I still think if you make an example of a few the rest will dissipate though. Like if you are in a big crowd and you see a few people get plugged in the face with a rubber bullet or take a bean bag to the dome, you might think twice.

 

[SandEagle]

violence doesn't solve anything. if you don't use enough of it.

 

[marvdmartian]

Because the mamby-pamby government isn't man enough to do it right, like this.
(still one of my all time favorite AH-NOLD scenes from a movie :thumbsup: )