What is a common technique used to control unlawful public assemblies?

Dispersal tactics are a well-recognized method for managing unlawful public assemblies. This approach involves law enforcement taking specific actions to encourage individuals gathered in a particular place to leave, especially when their assembly is deemed unlawful or poses a risk to public safety. Effective dispersal tactics can include issuing verbal warnings, using loudspeakers to inform the crowd of legal requirements, and deploying officers to guide the crowd in a safe direction.

Building rapport with the crowd can be beneficial in encouraging compliance and maintaining peace, but it is more of a preventative measure rather than a direct control technique. Visibility of law enforcement presence can act as a deterrent to escalating situations but does not directly control the assembly itself. Community outreach is focused on building long-term relationships and reducing the likelihood of unrest through engagement, which is proactive and does not address immediate action required in the event of a unlawful gathering.