NCJ Number
216395
Date Published
October 2006
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper explores the nature of group behavior and group violence that is spontaneous in nature; it attempts to understand the different kinds of group behavior that may emerge and initiatives focused on improving police-community relations.
Abstract
Swarming, a dynamic of group formation or group behavior may be organized or spontaneous; it may engender or be associated with violence, or it may not. Types of swarming include: raves, flash mobs, youth gangs, riots, mobs, and gatecrashers. The rituals of group violence relate the rules of engagement of violence. In the context of a large crowd, the rules become less defined. It is implied in this paper that the nature of the group and of group behavior gives rise to or heavily influences the occurrence of violence. The crowd becomes the social vehicle through which the desired collective violence could occur. However, not all forms of collective violence are the same. Across the events and groups associated with violence that are identified, certain commonalities are noted and discussed. At a strategic level, the appeal of community policing principles in dealing with group violence is highlighted by recent experiences in the Sydney, Australia suburb of Woolloomooloo. Two community policing strategic initiatives are described in improving police-community relations. The adoption of these measures improved the climate in the community with a noticeable reduction in violent confrontations between police and Arabic youth and an increase in police morale and job satisfaction. Understanding the dynamics of group formation and group behavior are important steps in devising police strategies suitable for specific, distinctive occasions, as well as for longer term strategic purposes. References