I am a retired Police Sergeant, who spent 32 years in the Baltimore Police Department. During my time, I worked through three riots. When I watch today"s police being so constrained as to how they must react to the abuse rendered by the thugs, running rampant, with orders to stand down and give them space to exerciser their right of expression, I am driven to tears.
I see men and women striking police officers with no fear of retaliation. Looting and property destruction, while law enforcement is forced to watch and do nothing.
Sadly there is really no way to put a stop to all of this. Law enforcement is always outnumbered. When faced with an overwhelming force, they are always forced to retreat. The only way they could win a battle like this is the use of force. Once orders are given to stand you ground, and civilians are injured, Turn on this spigot and there will be serious consequences, resulting in severe injury to these thugs. This will intensify the will of the public, to take the next step. which will be guns on the street by the rioters. Police will certainly shoot back. If one police officer kills just one rioter during this so called "Civil Disturbance," all hell will break lose. It won't make any difference, if the officer is on the ground, being beaten by a mob, There will be little chance to turn back.
The person who devises a working plan to end these riots, will save the country from anarchy. This should have been ended on the first day, if handled properly. Treat felonious behavior for what it is. Law enforcement should do as the armed services do. When going into battle there is always a reactionary force, held in reserve. The first sign of destruction should be met with overwhelming force and immediate arrest made. Fire bombing stores and tossing bricks at police should be treated for what they are. Felonies.
Now the first rule of command is never give an order you can"t enforce. Enacting a curfew, knowing it can't be realistically enforced and won't be obeyed, was stupid. Once the public realizes, law enforcement can't or won't enforce it, it empowers them to start other unlawful actions.
I won't take much for the streets to turn into an actual battle ground. History shows, that riots end, only when the rioters lose interest.
I am sincerely sorry for such a long rant.