What characterizes a civil disturbance?

A civil disturbance is characterized by an assembly of individuals that poses an immediate threat of violence or destruction of property. This definition captures the essence of a civil disturbance, as it involves groups that may become aggressive or chaotic, leading to potential harm or significant disruption in the community. This can include riots, large-scale protests that escalate into violence, or any situation where public safety is at risk due to the collective behavior of a crowd.

In contrast, organized crime events typically involve planned criminal activities that may not directly relate to public assemblies or disturbances. Peaceful protests, while they can be large and draw significant attention, are not classified as civil disturbances because they do not entail threats of violence or destruction. Solitary disturbances by an individual can be troubling but do not fit the collective nature of civil disturbances, which require the involvement of groups acting in a way that threatens the peace or safety of the community.