State College and University police do not expect a problem with anti-war protests or riots.

"I think this community is interested in making a point; they're not interested in violence," said Lt. Carmine Prestia, State College Bureau of Police Services' field services commander.

State College and University police said there have been numerous protests, but participants were orderly.

State College police are not concerned about peaceful protests as long as streets, sidewalks and buildings remain open to the public, Prestia said, adding that a protest itself is not illegal.

"We must remember that the right to demonstrate is guaranteed under the Constitution," he said.

University Police Services Director Thomas Harmon agreed with Prestia.

"We will do everything possible to facilitate the expression of dissenting views," Harmon said.

In November, roads and sidewalks were blocked by students after the Notre Dame-Penn State football game, Prestia said. Police handled the evening with ease by asking other police agencies to assist with traffic control, he said.

If a mob scene such as the post-victory celebration occurs because of the war, several measures would be taken before implementing drastic procedures, Prestia said.

The first concern would be traffic control, he said.

"If people started to assault someone and damage things, we'd attempt to make arrests," Prestia said.

State College police have tear gas, riot batons and other equipment, he said, but the situation would have to be quite serious to use them.

University police also have riot-control gear but probably would not use it, Harmon said. If University police cannot control a situation, the state police would be called, he said.

"Once that occurs, it's no longer in our hands," he said.

However, like the downtown police, campus police would use riot equipment if placed in an emergency situation, Harmon said.

"If we had to react with force, we would," Harmon said, mirroring Prestia's position.

Now that military action is underway, not only will conventional protests be on the rise but ethnic intimidation may increase, Prestia said. Individuals may be sought out and victimized because of their Middle East origin, he said.

Harmon conceded the possibility of ethnic intimidation exists but said he does not foresee a widespread problem. At the time of the hostage situation in Iran, Iranian students were not discriminated against on a large-scale basis, he said.

"It's a concern . . . but I feel it's unlikely," he said.

"This is a community that is widely diverse and is used to dealing with diversity," Prestia added.