Which of the following best describes "maintaining public order" as a policing function?

Maintaining public order is fundamentally about ensuring safety, security, and civility within the community. Keeping peace during public events and gatherings exemplifies this function because it directly relates to managing crowds, preventing disturbances, and ensuring that gatherings—such as protests, concerts, or community fairs—proceed without incident. Policing in this context involves a proactive presence that can deter unruly behavior and address any issues that might compromise public safety.

The other options, while related to different aspects of policing, do not fully encompass the scope of maintaining public order. Enforcing local statutes can contribute to order, but it does not specifically address the dynamic nature of public events. Performing surveillance on known offenders also serves a specific purpose but is more focused on crime prevention rather than enhancing public peace in communal settings. Providing education on criminal justice topics is valuable for community awareness but does not directly relate to maintaining immediate public order in a proactive manner. Thus, the role of law enforcement in overseeing public events is a clear demonstration of maintaining public order.