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RIOT CONTROL LEGISLATION - A NECESSARY EVIL, INTRODUCTION (FROM THE LAW OF DISSENT AND RIOTS EDITED BY M.C.BASSIOUNI - SEE NCJ-01764)

NCJ Number
2035
Author(s)
D SCHOEDINGER
Date Published
1971
Length
19 pages
Annotation
PROPOSALS INCLUDE DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY, SUSPENSION OF SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, AND FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, ISOLATION OF PORTIONS OF THE CITY, ETC.
Abstract
ONCE THE POSSIBILITY OF RIOTING IS ADMITTED, THE ONLY LOGICAL CONCLUSION IS THAT A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR RIOT CONTROL IS NEEDED. ESSENTIAL TO THE SENSIBLE PLANNING FOR ANY RIOT CONTROL IS THE PLACING OF RIOTS IN THEIR PROPER PERSPECTIVE. AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION IN PLANNING FOR THE CONTROL OF RIOTS IS THE REALIZATION THAT ONLY A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE CITIZENRY OF A RIOT-TORN AREA ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN THE RIOT. THE PLANNERS OF RIOT CONTROL CAN DEVELOP A MORE EFFECTIVE PROGRAM WHICH WILL AFFORD A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF RIOT CONTROL WITH THE CREATION OF A MINIMUM OF FRICTION BETWEEN THE AUTHORITIES AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE RIOT AREA. FOREWARD-LOOKING RIOT CONTROL PLANNING MUST NECESSARILY CONSIST OF TWO ELEMENTS - PLANNING OF THE ACTIONS OF THE PERSONNEL WHO WILL BE DEPLOYED TO CONTROL THE RIOT AND LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE BOTH AUTHORITY FOR AND LIMITATIONS UPON THE CONTROL PROCEDURES EMPLOYED. SUGGESTED ARE VARIOUS PROVISIONS WHICH MIGHT BE INCLUDED IN SUCH LEGISLATION. REFERENCES (AUTHOR MODIFIED)