Riot Survival

[footballsam]

If you want to survive in a riot what are some good ideas of things to do? Would you want to avoid the riot police or stay near them? It depends if people are attacking you or not. Do you want to run or will you just encounter more rioting? Is the sewer a good escape route? Possibly. Any other ideas?

[JeepHammer]

Would it be OK if I just stayed someplace we don't really have enough people for a really good riot?

I was watching the news for all those riots that were supposed to take place after the election...
Not one broken window in Chicago!
The only person hurt tripped over a curb going to the celebration in the park!

Riot, or 'Pack' mentality will prove too unpredictable for anyone to give you a good answer to this.

People in the 'Riot' will be looking to see what they can see.
There will only be a small portion of 'Extremists' that want to actually do damage for any given issue.
The younger males will try to impress the older males and females by doing stupid things, and you might be on the receiving end of some CS gas or pepper spray if it gets really out of hand...

I'd say your worst move would be to be in the way of the 'Herd' when they decide to change direction or move at once. If you can't keep up, you stand a very good chance of being trampled.

I'm not sure I would attempt to side with the 'Police'.
They are a click of their own, and unlike the general 'herd' mentality, they are there to ruin someone's night!
Anyone not in the 'Gang' colors, in this case blue with a riot helmet, is fare game for night sticks and pepper spray.
Police are notorious for beating, kicking, spraying and generally beating the crap out of anyone they catch in riots.

Somewhat due to the type 'A', Macho, 'He Man' self image they have, but also because of the high levels of adrenalin they have by the time things come to a head.

I'd say the best bet is to disburse when the police first start forming up, get a good head start on the crowd so you don't get trampled...
Or better yet, don't get in the middle of large crowds that are getting out of hand...
Don't wait for it to become something stupid!

[hitech_hick]

Personally I would stay at home, batten down the hatches, so to speak, keep the lights off and maintain a low profile. If it was apparent that I or my property became a target, strategies would change a bit. As for staying close to the riot police, that would be ill-advised. They will tear-gas/mace anyone who is not in uniform, they really don't care what your intentions are at that point.


hick

[Fn/Form]

A true riot takes time to build. Any sane person will have plenty of warning if they are not asleep. You simply need to not be there. The warnings will be there, even if you don't have much time to leave, you will know when it is time to leave. It is not complicated.

If police are forming up, you need to get out of there. If a mob is forming, you need to get out of there.

If you live in the area, you alone can decide whether to stay or go. Hitech Hick has it right, IMO.

[Nomad]

I have had the misfortune to be involved in several large riots. Chicago in '68 being the largest. Things happen fast and one has no way of knowing which way to run or where to hide. The best thing seems to be to try to disengage from the riot area. But be careful when crossing the perimeters of the riot. That is where the danger is most extreme. It is the real conflict zone. If possible try to hide and wait for the riot to move past you. However this exposes you to the possibility of fire or gunshot wounds.

There is not good "fits all" method. Keep your cool, get as much information as possible and do what you can to keep as safe as possible. Avoid all confrontations with either faction (police and rioters).

It helps to have a ham radio. I got my best info from others about which way the crowd was moving and what was going on. It helped me plan my actions. Without information you are at a very severe disadvantage.

It is very chaotic and very difficult to understand what is happening. Be very cautious and put your safety first.

nomad.

[JeepHammer]

The '68 'Riot' really wasn't...
It was a bunch of collage age demonstrators that got pummeled by police.

The excuse for getting to beat the crap out of the kids was a 'Riot' although there weren't anyone trying to burn buildings or vehicles, or any of the other 'Riot' behavior you would expect to get a response like the police used.
---------------

Even the 'Rodney King' fiasco wasn't a true riot.
There was some looting, and a few 'Thugs' did some unspeakable things they should have been shot for..
And there were some fires, but it wasn't city wide and there wasn't ANY police response, they just WOULD NOT go into the area...
----------------

When I think about 'Riots' in recent history, I think about Detroit being burned half to the ground,
I think about Atlanta running amok after the Assassination of MLK,

Recent 'Riots' are mostly 'Sports' related!
(Shows we have no social conscience anymore)
For some reason, Super bowl, World Series and NBA finals.
I don't know what it is about sports that makes grown men get drunk and try to tear down the town, but it happens just as much here as it does in south America, Europe, ect.
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Anyway, Like I and others said,
A true 'Riot' is usually a general mass, unfocused that gets out of control, and that takes several hours to cook up.

A 'Mob' can be worked up in short order, but doesn't happen instantly.
The problem with a 'Mob' is they are focused, and they can do REAL damage.

I would worry about something that can actually happen easily, Flood, Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake, Chemical Spill, something that is practical to plan for and take action to deal with...

[Hank]

What's the best way to escape an angry mob?

[Molon Labe]

If you are trapped in the mob - like an avalanche, swim to stay on top of things and work your way to the side and attempt to make a safe exit.

If they are coming towards you Escape and Evasion Tactics.

Marine Corps Rules for Gunfighting #24:
Your number one option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation

Avoidance being the primary means of Safety here. If you can avoid the problem you do not need a solution.

With that being said though here is #14 on the USMC Rules for Gunfighting:
Have a back-up plan, because the first one won’t work.

[Ted Lurch]

Do they make net guns you could shoot at a large portion of the mob causing them to trip

[Fn/Form]

There are area devices, kind of like a Claymore with rubber balls. Dunno if they can be shoulder-fired. Consistent, rapid less-lethal 37mm shots to the legs might have the same effect, but you'd probably need a Mk 19. ;-)

Taser Int'l is marketing an area denial system comprised of stacked Taser cartridges.