CROWD

MANAGEMENT
CROWD SAFETY
MANAGEMENT
CROWD MANAGEMENT

Lesson Purpose:
2 To familiarize the student with
the psychological aspects of
crowds and present procedures
used by event organizers to
control crowds, demonstrations,
and civil disorders
disorders..
2 ïmagine these calls
calls:: ³Unit #2,
respond to Fourth and Main St St..
Report of a group of 10 10--15
people fighting outside the
Barrel Lounge,´

2 or ³Respond to a loud party call

involving approximately 40 to 50
teens reportedly drinking under
age..´
age
CROWD MANAGEMENT

2 Group behavior is a dynamic

part of any crowd and the
failure to understand this can
lead to a crowd confrontation
and jeopardize your safety and
that of the community
community..
2 Preparation for crowd
management must begin
before the event
event..
2 There may be times, however,
when you have little or no time
to prepare, so we must begin
our planning and preparation
preparation..
È


 

 


Crowds are divided into two major categories:
‡physicaland
‡psychological

Each of these are then broken down into

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

2 The physical crowd is the conventional crowd or

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

2 The psychological crowd is an

assemblage of people who have
a sustained common interest
and respond emotionally to the
same stimuli
stimuli..
2 (Example: ball game, political speech,
(Example:
parades, fires, accidents or disturbances)
 Types of psychological
crowds:
2 Sightseer or sightseeing crowd
This crowd is characterized by their common bond (a
single purpose for being at a certain place)
place).. They are
characterized as curiosity seekers, mostly
cooperative, and sometimes anxious to assist assist..
Officers must retain their cooperation while attempting
to disperse them
them..

2 Expressive or agitated crowd

Members of the expressive crowd are involved in some kind
of expressive behavior, such as a block party or political
rally.. This type of crowd is emotionally involved and can
rally
easily become agitated if approached improperly
improperly.. For the
most part, they want to have a good time or express their
point of view
view.. ïf possible, and as long as there is no breach
of peace, it is best to let the crowd release their energies by
permitting them to express themselves
themselves..
Expressive or agitated crowds
2 an unorganized group of people willing to be led into
lawlessness but hesitate to act because it lacks
(1) Organization,
(2) Courage,
(3) Unity.

2 They are noisy, willing to threaten and taunt or harass

police;; however, they refrain from physical attack
police
È


 
Types of Crowds
2 Mob (hostile/aggressive)
A mob is a crowd whose members, under the
stimulus of intense excitement and agitation, lose
their sense of reason. They can also lose respect for
sense of order, law, and respect for each other. This
type of crowd is a riot.

2 Types of mobs:
Escape mob
The aggressive mob
Acquisitive mob
Expressive mob

2 This type of mob can be very destructive

È


 
Types of Crowds
2 Social/Psychological ïnfluences
Psychological behavioral factors are
present in any crowd confrontation
confrontation..

2 Knowledge and appreciation of

social/psychological influences can help
control forces that can effectively counter
riot tactics, help with crowd dispersal, and
help supervisors maintain control of their
subordinates
Behavioral factors not only affect a
crowd, but they affect control forces
2 ïnfluences
Anonymity
2 The feeling of being lost in the crowd.
Members of the crowd feel they cannot be
identified. Therefore, they lose responsibility
for their actions.

Universality
2 The ³everybody is doing it´ feeling. Members feel
the attitudes and emotions are being experienced and
are shared by everyone in the group.
Behavioral factors not only affect a
crowd, but they affect control forces

2 ïnfluences
ïnability to withdraw
2 Being afraid to express a view contrary to
those in the majority
majority..
ïncreased hostility (Convergence
Theory)
2 When people are frustrated and believe they
are being treated unfairly, confrontation is an
outlet for their anger
anger;; however, conflict does
not eliminate the problem and it often
increases hatred between social groups
groups..
Behavioral factors not only affect a
crowd, but they affect control forces
forces::

2 ïnfluences
Social suggestion
2 The urge to do what others do is
quite strong with the majority of
people.. Crowd people tend to follow
people
the lead of others, particularly those
designated as leadersleaders.. Those
involved usually have a common
denominator that brings them
together to unify the group
group..
Behavioral factors not only affect a
crowd, but they affect control forces
forces::
2 ïnfluences
2 Emotionality
There exists in any crowd a high degree
of emotional tension and excitement.
Hostile emotions like anger and fear may
drive the crowd to act out.
ïrrationality
Homogeneity of mental state (group
mind--set)
mind
Emotional contagion (Contagion
Theory)
2 This is the most dramatic feature of collective
behavior where excitement seems to be
transmitted from one person to another
another..






 



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

  

2 The technology systems in your station are

only effective if your operators know how to
use them
them.. Such systems could include
include::
CCTV
Customer ïnformation Systems such as Public
Address (PA) and dynamic signage
Radio and telephone communications
Automatic gate lines





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

2 MAKE A RESEARCH ON:

TOOLS & EQUïPMENTS USED
FOR CROWD HANDLïNG
2 DESCRïBE EACH
2 DRAW OR PRïNT TOOLS AND
EQUïPMENTS
THANK YOU!!!

HAVE A NïCE DAY!!!