WayneinFL,
I think you mentioned that you are from Miami. you must not have lived here for that long. I have spent all 30 years of my life here. We have had a few incidences in our colorful incidences.
In 1989, when Colombian born Miami Police officer, William Lozano, was acquitted of the wrongful shooting of a black motorcyclist (the passenger died as well) Downtown and Overtown Miami erupted in a riot that lasted 3 days. Granted this wasn't a full blown L.A. Rodney King type riot but it was nerve racking none the less.
When Hurricane Andrew hit in August of 1992, it wiped out Florida City and severely damaged Homestead, Cutler Ridge, and the surrounding areas. The looting probably began at Cutler Ridge Mall before the winds even died down. Things were pretty crazy until the national guard showed up. Even then, there were curfews enforced and national guardsmen walking around with M-16s in hand. Open carry became the practice for almost every business owner down there, especially those selling generators and ice. It is amazing how tragedies such as these bring out the best in many people but the worst in others. Many home owners made signs saying "You Loot. We Shoot." I was still in high school yet and didn't have any firearms at the time. Fortunately, we lived in Miami Beach and were not severely affected.
When things get crazy in Miami, they usually raise the draw bridges to prevent the rioting from spreading from Downtown. Back then, I-395 had a draw bridge. The 79th St. Causeway still has a drawbridge. That allows the police to contrate on I-195 and blockade it if necessary.
If thing get ugly here, it will most likely be hurricane related. We Miamians are a pretty laid back bunch and don't want to mess up our little tropical paradise. If things do get ugly from a hurricane, most homes will already be shuttered up. That makes it easy to guard a single entrance. If someone is trying to pull off your shutters, you would have more than ample time to greet them with a shotgun barrel in their face. this is assuming that you still have a rood over your head and that there are still things worth protecting. if not, it is time to go out there and loot some for your own!