My father was nearly killed in the Watts riots although he had just retired from the Marine Corps months earlier with three wars under his belt. How do you think the average passive, sedentary, overweight citizen will fare?
Probably worse.
Despite your father’s experience, his inexperience with city riots is what led him to make errors that just about got him killed.
Not that you can really prepare for a riot, like the ‘67 Detroit.
They might do fine. Living in a tough city requires coping and planning skills that most people don’t have.