CIVIL UNREST
CIVIL UNREST
We live in uncertain times. In the past, riots usually started because of some type of serious perceived injustice, such as police
brutality, government overreach or violation of constitutional rights. But now, violent protests are becoming more commonplace and
the reasons more trivial such as the outcome of a sporting event. We are also seeing the rise of organized groups like Antifa that
claims to protest fascism by assaulting citizens, breaking windows and restricting free speech. There is a growing faction of young
Americans that would rather protest, destroy neighborhoods and assault citizens than vote for the changes they want. It’s not really
important if you agree or disagree with the reasons for a protest, just that you are aware of the potential dangers to you and your
family.
Civil unrest occurs when people become angry, frightened, frustrated, desperate or threatened. However, the vast majority of riots start out as peaceful protests until emotions and tensions start to rise. These emotions and conditions can rapidly spread until the general condition is like a tinderbox just waiting for a spark to ignite it into an explosion of violence. If you are nearby or of like mind, you are susceptible to the influences of the moment. You may feel that you can remain completely detached from the situation until something happens to draw you in (e.g. someone pushes you or knocks your child down). Before you know it, you could be a full-fledged rioter in the eyes of the law. Most people that have taken part in a riot were completely innocent of intent until they were provoked. Your reasons may be just, but now you’re in real physical and legal danger.
Civil unrest occurs when people become angry, frightened, frustrated, desperate or threatened. However, the vast majority of riots start out as peaceful protests until emotions and tensions start to rise. These emotions and conditions can rapidly spread until the general condition is like a tinderbox just waiting for a spark to ignite it into an explosion of violence. If you are nearby or of like mind, you are susceptible to the influences of the moment. You may feel that you can remain completely detached from the situation until something happens to draw you in (e.g. someone pushes you or knocks your child down). Before you know it, you could be a full-fledged rioter in the eyes of the law. Most people that have taken part in a riot were completely innocent of intent until they were provoked. Your reasons may be just, but now you’re in real physical and legal danger.
Preparing For Civil Unrest:
General preparedness is your best chance of “weathering” a civil unrest disaster. You may not be able to go to the store so having plenty of food, water and general supplies can make the difference between danger and relative safety. Also remember that natural disasters, power outages and terrorism can also cause civil unrest and you may be dealing with a combination of disasters at one time.
It is a good idea to have a neighborhood plan in effect. Having a disaster preparedness alliance with your neighbors will make it possible to maintain a certain amount of security within your area. In situations of widespread civil unrest, it may be necessary to create a “safety zone” in your area. This cannot be accomplished without a fair amount of cooperation and participation from your neighbors.
If a Riot Erupts Around You:
There are some situations when you can become quickly engulfed in a riot. This can be a very dangerous situation because you are not only in danger of being victimized, but you could also be mistaken for a rioter by law enforcement officers. Keep a cool head and make every effort to not get drawn into the violence. If possible, move away from the troubled area. Going indoors may offer some security but don’t be surprised to encounter locked doors and unresponsive shopkeepers and homeowners. If you are caught on the street, try not to move with the crowd. Moving at right angles to the flow of the mob should give you some distance from the trouble while avoiding rioters and law enforcement. If you do encounter law enforcement officers remember that they don’t know you or your situation. Much of the time they won’t have the time to listen to your reason for being where you are and everyone claims to be an innocent bystander. They may be arresting everyone in the area. If this happens, don’t resist. You will probably be released later or you may have to plead your case to the judge. At least there won’t be a resisting arrest charge to deal with.
If you're at home when a riot breaks out in your area:
You may very well be at home when civil unrest occurs in your neighborhood. If this happens you should immediately lock all of your doors and windows. If you have the opportunity, you should close your storm shutters or otherwise cover your windows. Stay indoors and call any family members or neighbors that are not at home and warn them to stay away from the area until the violence has subsided. Don’t try to go outside to keep rioters off of your property or to protect your vehicles. Restrict your “security zone” to the inside of your house.
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