Why not put them down hard?

[Lewkowski]

I agree with you -- that a 'majority' of those who set out to loot or steal are menaces, often with criminal intent. That small minority of criminal opportunist can ruin any peaceful protest....especially if police see that as a green-light to use excessive force in crowd control.

College students can turn a sports conference win (or loss) into chaos, with burning sofas and trashing cars on the streets. For that matter, professional sports 'inspires' the same kind of violence after a Super Bowl or World Cup. Are you advocating for the "put them down hard" stance in those situations, too?

Actually yes I think riots due to championship wins should be put down hard. There is no excuse (outside of outright rebellion against a tyrannical government) to wreck other people's stuff. Let alone risk people's lives by setting things on fire.