Are You Ready for Mob Violence, The Streets are Heating Up

Violence erupted in the streets in Los Angeles after the Laker Championship game, police cars have been burned at the g-20 summit, the economy is in the dumps and summer is here with its sweltering temperatures. Large crowds at EDC estimated to be at 130,000 over a two day event at the LA Coliseum, required dozens of ambulances and paramedics, hospitalizing 114 patients from various traumatic injuries, over doses, seizures.

What does that spell for first responders, large agitated crowds, throwing rocks and bottles and setting nuisance fires, so lets be heads up any time there are large crowds forming at your incident, it is not business as usual. Shooting calls in low income areas often times set off chain reactions with very large crowds emptying out into the streets from large apartment complexes.

The other day I watched as fight broke out in a city park, gang members using cell phones texted for reinforcements, in a matter of an hour the park was filled with gang activity requiring six sheriff cars to restore order.

When responding to these calls, you must have a plan of action and always have an escape route, always stay together as a team. Keep forcible entry tools inside locked compartments so that no one can use your tools against you. If the Department allows you to wear Body Armor, wear it under neath your uniform attire. Try not to agitate crowds any further with your presence, we are there to help. However you have the right to defend yourself if you fear for your life. Try to have law enforcement clear the scene prior to your entry, I know this is not always possible. Carrying pepper spray may be an option if the Department allows you to. Take a much more defensive approach to crowds this summer.

Working in public safety for 30 years I have been through 2 college riots and numerous civil disturbances. I have seen the decline for respect for peace officers, so people have become more apt to attack public safety personnel.

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/police-vehicle-protester/photo//100627/481/urn_publicid_ap_org8a01ab46b88c4161b9eaeee52abe79f7//s:/ap/cn_world_summit_protests