Questioning Modern Technology in Crowd Control.
Controlling riots is a difficult task for any government with a desire to keep peace as well as protect the constitutional rights of it's citizens. Under the United States Constitution, the Congress is forbidden to make laws "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble." However, at times, it is a difficult task for a government to determine whether it's people are a peaceful opposition or an inevitable riot. In the event of a riot, police or military are sent into the middle of mass confusion and chaos in an attempt to suppress or contain the tumultuous situation. In the past, police who were ordered to suppress the opposition with only guns or bare hands were not only a danger to the public, but to themselves as well. Modern technology and non-lethal weapons are allowing police to more efficiently and less physically handle riots and protests. .
Riots occur for many different reasons whether they be differences between groups or grievance with the government. Rioters unhappy with the performance of their government for reasons such as famine, inflation, or differences between poor and wealthy will choose to riot out of anger and frustration and as a method of communication with the political system. Ethnic, religious, cultural, or political differences may also lead to physical violence between different groups. Relations between the groups may remain peaceful for long periods of time but a threat by one group to another may cause a serious disturbance. When large crowds lawfully gather for an event such as a spectacle sport, there is a great potential for large scale destruction. Persons taking part in the riot may lose a sense of their own identity and give up beliefs for survival or conformity (Deane-Drummond 1975).
The United States Department of Justice has labeled groups with a greater potential for causing or participating in civil disorders and violent demonstrations.