Driving Peace From the Streets

How did they handle the riot?  They surrounded it.  They chased it.  They gassed it and beat it, until finally it gave up and seemed to go away.  But only the external violence was stopped, and then just for now.  On both sides hatred increased, enmity festered, the gap widened as understanding became less possible.  Peace was driven from the street.  Why instead couldn't they listen?  It may have been a different voice in a new wilderness.  Why didn't they ask why it had happened, instead of how?