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Crowd control is apublic security practice in which largecrowds are managed in order to prevent the outbreak ofcrowd crushes,affray, fights involvingdrunk and disorderly people orriots. Crowd crushes in particular can cause many hundreds of fatalities.[1] Effective crowd management is about managing expected and unexpected crowd occurrences.[2] Crowd control can involve privately hired security guards as well as police officers. Crowd control is often used at large, public gatherings likestreet fairs,music festivals,stadiums andpublic demonstrations. At some events, security guards and police usemetal detectors andsniffer dogs to prevent weapons and drugs being brought into a venue.[3][4][5]
Materials such asstanchions,[6]crowd control barriers,[7] fences and decals painted on the ground can be used to direct a crowd. A common method of crowd control is to use high visibility fencing to divert and corral pedestrian traffic to safety when there is any potential threat for danger.[8] Keeping the crowd comfortable and relaxed is also essential, so things likeawnings,cooling fans (in hot weather), andentertainment are sometimes used as well. Thus, restrictive measures and the application of force can actually make crowding more dangerous, for instance during theHillsborough disaster.[9] For controlling riots anddemonstrations, seeriot control.
Specific products that are used to implement line management and public guidance in high traffic areas include retractable belt systems (which incorporate a stanchion post and the retractable tape) and wall mount systems (also incorporating a retractable belt but are surface mounted). Post and rope systems are also popular, especially in banks and theaters.[10]
The history of crowd control starts back in the 1920s, where there was no official crowd control unit. There would be ten to 20 officers lined up. Behind one line there would be another line about twenty feet back. The officers were armed withbatons andaxe handles. Their job is to simply hold the crowd back, which would end in a free for all and resulting in multiple officer injuries.[11]
Later in the 1950s, the first actual riot control teams armed with riot shields and batons appeared; the goal was for the riot shield officers to hold up the lines. When they came to actual contact with the crowd, the officers with the batons were supposed to help the riot shield officers. However, if deadly force was used against them, there was no training or procedure to counter this causing the officers to have to fend for themselves.[11]
The 1960s and 1970s marked the invention and widespread use of thetear gas. However, with this new innovation the officers were not used to operating in an environment where visibility was limited. The armor that they wore at the time was not as mobile. This resulting in that type of armor being rarely used.[11]
A crowd controller is also another name for abouncer[12] ordoorman.[13]