Why did the police not stop the La riots of 1992 why did they just let it happen
http://www.npr.org/2017/04/26/524744989/when-la-erupted-in-anger-a-look-back-at-the-rodney-king-riots
I'm not sure the police could have stopped the riot. It took the National Guard and federal troops to bring it under control It was more than the LAPD was able to control all by itelf.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/riots-erupt-in-los-angeles
The Los Angeles riots of 1992 were a significant event in American history, marked by widespread civil unrest, looting, and violence. In understanding why the police were not able to fully contain or suppress the riots, it is essential to consider a range of factors that contributed to the situation and the challenges faced by law enforcement.
1. Triggering Event: The riots were sparked by the acquittal of four white police officers involved in the brutal beating of Rodney King, an African American man. The verdict led to widespread frustration and anger among many communities in Los Angeles.
2. Scale and Spread of the Riots: The riots quickly escalated and spread geographically, encompassing large areas of the city. The sheer magnitude and rapid spread of the unrest overwhelmed the capacity of the police forces at the time.
3. Lack of Preparedness: Law enforcement agencies were not adequately prepared to handle the scale and intensity of the riots. While some efforts were made to reinforce police presence, it was insufficient compared to the size and severity of the unrest.
4. Resource Constraints: The police forces were faced with limitations in terms of available personnel, equipment, and resources. These constraints hampered their ability to respond effectively, contain the rioters, and protect the public.
5. Tactical Decisions and Priorities: The police faced difficult decisions about resource deployment and prioritization. With limited resources, they had to make choices about where to allocate their personnel and how to respond in different areas of the city.
6. Communication and Coordination Issues: There were communication challenges between different law enforcement agencies involved in the response to the riots. Lack of coordination and collaboration hindered the ability to mount a cohesive and comprehensive response.
It is crucial to note that while the police faced significant challenges, their inability to fully stop the riots was also influenced by the dynamics of the unrest itself. Riots are complex events, often characterized by a rapid and unpredictable escalation of violence, widespread looting, and confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. This further complicated the task of containing the situation.
Overall, the failure to stop the riots can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the triggering event, lack of preparedness, resource constraints, tactical decisions, and coordination issues. It is important to learn from such historical events to improve emergency response systems and prevent similar situations in the future.