Technology for Crowd Control
Methods of controlling crowds have become far more sophisticated in the past few decades. Images from the 1960s of riot police firing tear gas at protesters will become more archaic as technicians develop new methods, many of which are capable of inflicting intense pain while leaving no marks or permanent damage.
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Old Technologies
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Historically, unruly crowds have been controlled through the use of truncheons, often used by law enforcers on horseback. The theory behind these techniques was quite simple, even primitive: If someone is in a place you don't want them to be, hit them until they move. With the advent of new technologies, the theory hasn't changed, but the methodology has.
New Technologies
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New technologies of crowd control are varied, but tend to focus on the non-lethal infliction of pain. CS spray, tear gas, electroshock batons, stun weapons, rubber bullets and water cannons all deter people through pain or the threat of pain, while rarely resulting in permanent damage or death. More serious technologies are being developed that involve microwaves attuned to human nerve receptors. These technologies hold the potential to inflict unbearable pain on large groups of people.
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Applicable Situations
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Technologies for crowd control are most often used in situations involving rioting or political protest. There are also potentials for these technologies to be used in military situations.
Civil Rights Issues
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In the words of the European Parliament's report on crowd-control technologies, "There are many and varied ways in which either the design or the operational usage of crowd control weapons facilitate human rights violations." The European Parliament is particularly concerned about the ability to inflict pain without leaving any evidence.
Preventive Crowd Control
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Proper planning for events involving large crowds is generally preferable to the use of force after trouble begins. Effective channeling of traffic flow, the presence of adequate law enforcement and the avoidance of provocative situations (for example, keeping protesters and counterprotesters separated at a political event) can all help to avoid disruption and prevent the necessity of force.
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References
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- Photo Credit police line image by cico from Fotolia.com
