Last night was the Stanley Cup (Hockey) Final in Vancouver Canada. There were an estimated 100,000 + people crammed into the streets during and after the game. Once the game finished, riots broke out and many stores, businesses and properties were destroyed from vandalism and fires. Also the local hosptials were overwhelmed with 100's of injuries of types and there have been unconfirmed reports of at least one death.

A co-worker of mine was in the midst of the riots and destruction. He provided us this morning with a harrowing story of getting out of the area on foot (Transit was shutdown due to safety concerns.) It took him and his wife almost 5 hours to get home that usually takes less then 1/2 hour.

These links further graphically show what it was like to be in the downtown area last night...

Link 1

Link 2

Don't be there . . . You don't need to escape it if you don't go there. I try to avoid crowds.

a couple of generic thoughts...
situational awareness...access to real time intelligence of the entire situation... cell phone contact, TV/radio reports

OODA loop decision...hunker down in safe haven and wait it out, or move...if move, then do so as a "grey man" ...abandon team affiliation paraphernalia...move laterally at rear of standing crowd with purpose to get outside area, behind Police line

underscores the need for some thought on clothing....comfortable walking shoes...clothing weather appropriate for overnight trek..convey this to your significant other if slacks is not typical attire...head wear for Sun/ rain

a personal gripe... some sports venues do not allow you to bring in bottled water...I like to always have .5L bottle in my nylon cargo shorts (try to take a pack of GatorAde mix)

some "sharp" EDC items may be turned away door of venue (check first) in Florida concealed weapons not allowed in professional sporting events..

might consider a super minimalist GHB ... "fanny pack"...bandana or N95mask ,vinyl poncho/trash bag....1/2 L water ...couple of Cliff Bars...LED head lamps/batteries...Kerlix roll and micropore tape...street map...OC spray if legal

That's good advice, but I'm seeing things in the news about "flash mobs" etc. Hard to know in advance where not to be.

Experience/wisdom from the Wash. D.C. riots of 1968:

If you are caught in the riot, then you can only try to get away, or shelter in a safe place. If you walk away, try not to draw attention to yourself. If noticed, try to say/do something that shows you are "with" the rioters, but keep it legal - - shout something, give the right cheer/sign/gesture etc., but just keep going. Mostly, the rioters will be too interested in other things than you, as long as they have no reason to suspect you are one of the "bad" guys.

The other alternative is to shelter in place, assuming it is a safe place. Riots usually last a matter of hours, so sometimes patience and sitting in one place is a survival skill. Of course, not if the building is on fire. . .

Bottom line, get away and stay away from the "action." Do not let your curiosity lead you into trying to see what is happening.

I agree that you should not allow curiosity to drag you into the fray. The problem is you may need to make tough choices if your means of transportation is located near the center of activity. In such case, it is probably better to wait it out and hope your car is not not one of the ones the mob attempts to roll over or burn. The bottom line there is no car is worth getting you or your family injured over.

I like the idea of trying to blend-in: neutral clothing, shouting something to make you look like you're one of them, having that crazed look in your eyes, etc.

I also like the idea of the minimalist survival kit: bandana, energy bar, etc.

Another thing to prepare for an escape is BE PHYSICALLY FIT. If you can't hunker down somewhere, you are going to have to run. If you're with a kid, you will have to run while carrying yourself, your stuff, your kid's stuff and your kid who weighs 40 pounds or whatever.

While its not always the case, sometimes you can see these things coming and plan accordingly. Take the following shop owner as one example:

Simon Coutts has run a bike shop on Robson St. for 25 years and the riots of 1994 taught him a few things.

On Wednesday morning, he boarded his store up with plywood and hired four security guards to patrol inside.

"It just looked like there were way too many people downtown the last few nights that have been playoff nights, and its been out of control," he said from outside his shop as the violence ebbed. (article)

Being aware of what's going on and judging the risks appropriately can go a long way to being prepared for this sort of thing. For some that might mean avoiding the area altogether, for others it might just mean ensuring you are adequately prepared for a long walk home.

I agree, don't be there if there is a possibility of a riot.

But if caught, find someplace safe and hunker down. See which direction the riot is moving. Worst case scenario, you are in the center. Best case, you are on the outskirts and it's moving away.

If you are not the "enemy" of the riot, attempt to move slowly, sticking to the outside of the crowd if possible, away from the center of events. Sometimes you can simply walk out of the area.

Don't stop and take pictures, you might get your butt stomped by those who don't want to see their happy smiling faces on the front page. Be "grey and move away".

+1

Ensure that the local team wins?