They will tear gas and beat the shit out of journalists and peaceful protesters or some random guy walking down the street but stand by and do nothing about the looters and arsonists.

Edit: Just my opinion

Hate all the officials making excuses.
It's a small area and it should not have taken that long to corral and police.

Since they are busy protecting the big business center, no one is available to cover the community, so stores get looted, buildings burn and there are no cops for traffic control.

I guess this falls under the heading of a teachable moment, 'cuz by withdrawing their protection, the cops get to teach those people what happens to their community when they challenge the police.