crowd management

CROWD SAFETY CROWD SAFETY MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

CROWD CROWD MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

CROWD MANAGEMENTCROWD MANAGEMENT

Lesson Purpose: Lesson Purpose: To familiarize the student with To familiarize the student with

the psychological aspects of the psychological aspects of crowds and present procedures crowds and present procedures used by event organizers to used by event organizers to control crowds, demonstrations, control crowds, demonstrations, and civil disorders.and civil disorders.

Imagine these calls: “Unit #2, Imagine these calls: “Unit #2, respond to Fourth and Main St. respond to Fourth and Main St. Report of a group of 10-15 people Report of a group of 10-15 people fighting outside the Barrel Lounge,” fighting outside the Barrel Lounge,”

or “Respond to a loud party call or “Respond to a loud party call involving approximately 40 to 50 involving approximately 40 to 50 teens reportedly drinking under age.”teens reportedly drinking under age.”

CROWD MANAGEMENTCROWD MANAGEMENT

Group behavior is a dynamic part Group behavior is a dynamic part of any crowd and the failure to of any crowd and the failure to understand this can lead to a understand this can lead to a crowd confrontation and crowd confrontation and jeopardize your safety and that of jeopardize your safety and that of the community.the community.

Preparation for crowd Preparation for crowd management must begin before management must begin before the event.the event.

There may be times, however, There may be times, however, when you have little or no time to when you have little or no time to prepare, so we must begin our prepare, so we must begin our planning and preparation.planning and preparation.

Know your crowd: Know your crowd: Types of CrowdsTypes of CrowdsCrowds are divided into two major Crowds are divided into two major categories:categories:

•physical and physical and •psychologicalpsychological

Each of these are then broken down into Each of these are then broken down into corresponding sub-categoriescorresponding sub-categories..

The physical crowdThe physical crowd

A physical crowd is characterized by density of A physical crowd is characterized by density of contact and showing no significant group behavior. contact and showing no significant group behavior. The physical crowd has little or no organization, no The physical crowd has little or no organization, no unity of purpose, and its members come and go. unity of purpose, and its members come and go. (Example: mall or major festival type event)(Example: mall or major festival type event)

The physical crowd is the conventional crowd or The physical crowd is the conventional crowd or casual crowd. This crowd is characterized by casual crowd. This crowd is characterized by density of contact showing no significant group density of contact showing no significant group behavior. They are, however, usually assembled for behavior. They are, however, usually assembled for a purpose but have no common bond and are not a purpose but have no common bond and are not dependent on each other to actdependent on each other to act

The psychological crowdThe psychological crowd

The psychological crowd is The psychological crowd is an assemblage of people an assemblage of people who have a sustained who have a sustained common interest and common interest and respond emotionally to the respond emotionally to the same stimuli. same stimuli.

(Example: ball game, political speech, (Example: ball game, political speech, parades, fires, accidents or parades, fires, accidents or disturbances)disturbances)

Types of psychological Types of psychological crowds:crowds:

Sightseer or sightseeing crowdSightseer or sightseeing crowd This crowd is characterized by their common bond (a This crowd is characterized by their common bond (a

single purpose for being at a certain place). They are single purpose for being at a certain place). They are characterized as curiosity seekers, mostly characterized as curiosity seekers, mostly cooperative, and sometimes anxious to assist. cooperative, and sometimes anxious to assist. Officers must retain their cooperation while attempting Officers must retain their cooperation while attempting to disperse them.to disperse them.

Expressive or agitated crowdExpressive or agitated crowd Members of the expressive crowd are involved in some kind Members of the expressive crowd are involved in some kind

of expressive behavior, such as a block party or political of expressive behavior, such as a block party or political rally. This type of crowd is emotionally involved and can rally. This type of crowd is emotionally involved and can easily become agitated if approached improperly. For the easily become agitated if approached improperly. For the most part, they want to have a good time or express their most part, they want to have a good time or express their point of view. If possible, and as long as there is no breach point of view. If possible, and as long as there is no breach of peace, it is best to let the crowd release their energies by of peace, it is best to let the crowd release their energies by permitting them to express themselves.permitting them to express themselves.

Expressive or agitated crowds Expressive or agitated crowds

an unorganized group of people willing to be led into an unorganized group of people willing to be led into lawlessness but hesitate to act because it lackslawlessness but hesitate to act because it lacks

(1) Organization,(1) Organization, (2) Courage,(2) Courage, (3) Unity.(3) Unity.

They are noisy, willing to threaten and taunt or harass They are noisy, willing to threaten and taunt or harass police; however, they refrain from physical attackpolice; however, they refrain from physical attack

Know your crowd: Know your crowd: Types of CrowdsTypes of Crowds

Mob (hostile/aggressive)Mob (hostile/aggressive) A mob is a crowd whose members, under the A mob is a crowd whose members, under the

stimulus of intense excitement and agitation, lose stimulus of intense excitement and agitation, lose their sense of reason. They can also lose respect for their sense of reason. They can also lose respect for sense of order, law, and respect for each other. This sense of order, law, and respect for each other. This type of crowd is a riot.type of crowd is a riot.

Types of mobs:Types of mobs: Escape mobEscape mob The aggressive mobThe aggressive mob Acquisitive mobAcquisitive mob Expressive mobExpressive mob

This type of mob can be very destructiveThis type of mob can be very destructive

Know your crowd: Know your crowd: Types of CrowdsTypes of Crowds Social/Psychological InfluencesSocial/Psychological Influences

Psychological behavioral factors are Psychological behavioral factors are present in any crowd confrontation.present in any crowd confrontation.

Knowledge and appreciation of Knowledge and appreciation of social/psychological influences can help social/psychological influences can help control forces that can effectively counter control forces that can effectively counter riot tactics, help with crowd dispersal, and riot tactics, help with crowd dispersal, and help supervisors maintain control of their help supervisors maintain control of their subordinatessubordinates

Behavioral factors not only affect a Behavioral factors not only affect a crowd, but they affect control forcescrowd, but they affect control forces

InfluencesInfluences AnonymityAnonymity

The feeling of being lost in the crowd. The feeling of being lost in the crowd. Members of the crowd feel they cannot be Members of the crowd feel they cannot be identified. Therefore, they lose responsibility identified. Therefore, they lose responsibility for their actions.for their actions.

Universality Universality The “everybody is doing it” feeling. Members feel The “everybody is doing it” feeling. Members feel

the attitudes the attitudes and emotions are being experienced and and emotions are being experienced and are shared by everyone in the group.are shared by everyone in the group.

Behavioral factors not only affect a Behavioral factors not only affect a crowd, but they affect control forcescrowd, but they affect control forces

InfluencesInfluences Inability to withdrawInability to withdraw

Being afraid to express a view contrary to Being afraid to express a view contrary to those in the majority.those in the majority.

Increased hostility (Convergence Increased hostility (Convergence Theory)Theory)

When people are frustrated and believe they When people are frustrated and believe they are being treated unfairly, confrontation is an are being treated unfairly, confrontation is an outlet for their anger; however, conflict does outlet for their anger; however, conflict does not eliminate the problem and it often not eliminate the problem and it often increases hatred between social groups.increases hatred between social groups.

Behavioral factors not only affect a Behavioral factors not only affect a crowd, but they affect control forces:crowd, but they affect control forces:

InfluencesInfluences Social suggestionSocial suggestion

The urge to do what others do is The urge to do what others do is quite strong with the majority of quite strong with the majority of people. Crowd people tend to follow people. Crowd people tend to follow the lead of others, particularly those the lead of others, particularly those designated as leaders. Those designated as leaders. Those involved usually have a common involved usually have a common denominator that brings them denominator that brings them together to unify the group.together to unify the group.

Behavioral factors not only affect a Behavioral factors not only affect a crowd, but they affect control forces:crowd, but they affect control forces: InfluencesInfluences

EmotionalityEmotionality There exists in any crowd a high degree of There exists in any crowd a high degree of

emotional tension and excitement. Hostile emotional tension and excitement. Hostile emotions like anger and fear may drive the emotions like anger and fear may drive the crowd to act out.crowd to act out.

IrrationalityIrrationality Homogeneity of mental state (group mind-set)Homogeneity of mental state (group mind-set) Emotional contagion (Contagion Theory)Emotional contagion (Contagion Theory)

This is the most dramatic feature of collective behavior This is the most dramatic feature of collective behavior where excitement seems to be transmitted from one where excitement seems to be transmitted from one person to another.person to another.

How to monitor crowd How to monitor crowd densitydensity

How to communicate How to communicate effectivelyeffectively Communication between your Communication between your

staff is one of the most staff is one of the most important elements of a important elements of a successfully managed crowd successfully managed crowd event. This is important before, event. This is important before, during and after an event. during and after an event. Training should include Training should include communication skills, whether communication skills, whether face-to-face or via radios and face-to-face or via radios and telephones.telephones.

How to use the equipmentHow to use the equipment

The technology systems in your station are The technology systems in your station are only effective if your operators know how to only effective if your operators know how to use them. Such systems could include:use them. Such systems could include: CCTVCCTV Customer Information Systems such as Public Customer Information Systems such as Public

Address (PA) and dynamic signageAddress (PA) and dynamic signage Radio and telephone communicationsRadio and telephone communications Automatic gate linesAutomatic gate lines

Crowd flow computer Crowd flow computer modelingmodeling A crowd flow computer model can A crowd flow computer model can

help you predict areas of likely help you predict areas of likely congestion and analyze options for congestion and analyze options for improvement. However, simply using improvement. However, simply using the software does not guarantee you the software does not guarantee you an accurate prediction. Like any tool, an accurate prediction. Like any tool, it has to be used in the right way and it has to be used in the right way and good preparation is important. Here good preparation is important. Here is a recommended process: is a recommended process:

ASSIGNMENT:ASSIGNMENT:

MAKE A RESEARCH ON:MAKE A RESEARCH ON: TOOLS & EQUIPMENTS USED TOOLS & EQUIPMENTS USED

FOR CROWD HANDLINGFOR CROWD HANDLING DESCRIBE EACHDESCRIBE EACH DRAW OR PRINT TOOLS AND DRAW OR PRINT TOOLS AND

EQUIPMENTSEQUIPMENTS

THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!HAVE A NICE DAY!!!

crowd management

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