How do you avoid the "Bug Light" effect?

Started by Eyesabide, October 29, 2012, 07:34:59 AM

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Eyesabide

When a storm hits, or disaster occurs, you are prepared. The electricity goes out, your generator goes on.  After a few days, people start running out of supplys, or they have refrigerated goods that are spoiling, or need phones charged or whatever.

Some people might put signs in their yards to let people know not to approach. some may have alerted  neighbors about not sharing, to spread the word. some people might charge others to use generator power, and one friend is prepared to rent out a generator to someone who can come up with enough cash to cover the cost of the genny up front, and then give back whatever the agreed remainder is after the machine is returned.

What do you do to deter potential thieves or pesty people who will be knocking at your door a few days into the disaster?

Muskets High!

Elfie

I dont know really... besides bug to the cabin.....after boarding up the house..... some would follow though,,I know that just as I know my name....
This storm and its after effects is gonna be one big lesson for those that will listen though.
Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere.
Blaise Pascal

Possumpoint

Years ago, during the power outage caused by Hurricane Isabell, we shared our generator with 4 of our neighbors. On a rotating basis the generator was taken to each house for a period of time so that they could re-chill their refrigerators. My oldest son and I used a wheel barrow to haul it to each house.

None has purchased one for their own use since. In fact, my next door neighbor told me he thought about it but decided he didn't need it. He said "I think I'm good to go". I didn't comment but decided on the spot that my days of sharing and hauling the generator to each house ended years ago. Since Isabell, we've had a snow storm that caused a 20 hour power outage and I didn't even attempt to haul the generator. Did lend a kerosene heater to neighbors, who at the time were an elderly disabled couple. He has since passed and I've lent her the heater since.

Raises a question as to just how responsible is one for their neighbors inaction?

Eyesabide

     The "Teach a man to fish" philosopy applies here. If the first disaster where you help your neighbor does not spur him to prepare for the next one, your responsibility ends there. Parasite control is as important as compassion.
     A side effect can be that the unprepared neighbor now becomes a liability, a weak spot in passive defence. If he knows what you have and thinks you need to be punished, He can turn a blind eye or inform others of your preperations and in other ways increase your vulnerability.
Muskets High!

Solar

Good question Eyes, and one many need to ponder before it happens.
I'm somewhat lucky in my area, most have a month or more of supplies, but it's beyond that point where we could see problems.
Desperate people, take desperate chances.

I may need to make up a sign saying:
I'm ready to fight to keep mine.
Are you ready to die trying to take it?
Official Trump Cult Member

#WWG1WGA

Q PATRIOT!!!

Elfie

Probably thats where the underground caches would come into play..... IF it gets that bad you know its gonna happen...
I would think the going to lose some would fall into play for alot.  But the caches other places would be a sure thing to continue.
Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere.
Blaise Pascal

Solar

Quote from: Elfie on October 31, 2012, 08:09:09 AM
Probably thats where the underground caches would come into play..... IF it gets that bad you know its gonna happen...
I would think the going to lose some would fall into play for alot.  But the caches other places would be a sure thing to continue.
Excellent point!
A cellar/bunker that is hidden from view would be a wise move.
I hope to have one come next summer.
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Q PATRIOT!!!

Eyesabide

Rural, semi rural, suburbs and city all have different dynamics.
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Elfie

I have to wonder if dynamics really has value here.... natural disaster is coming..... you have been warned,,,, chice seems to be the play... Choice of how bad you think bad is going to be,,, choice on if ya roll the dice and tell yourself the power wont be out that long,,, Its choice. Roll the dice,,, you got power the next grid doesnt....that is not a choice.... everyone everywhere has the brains to be ready the best they can or think they need to be. Some are just smarter then others... it is playing out right now....
Pretty good lesson to learn IF you understand it can and probably will but probably wont happen.   Being ready to be self efficient is a choice...
and yes there are those that were never taught or never heard of being ready to be self reliant.
Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere.
Blaise Pascal

walkstall

Quote from: Elfie on November 02, 2012, 10:13:08 AM
I have to wonder if dynamics really has value here.... natural disaster is coming..... you have been warned,,,, chice seems to be the play... Choice of how bad you think bad is going to be,,, choice on if ya roll the dice and tell yourself the power wont be out that long,,, Its choice. Roll the dice,,, you got power the next grid doesnt....that is not a choice.... everyone everywhere has the brains to be ready the best they can or think they need to be. Some are just smarter then others... it is playing out right now....
Pretty good lesson to learn IF you understand it can and probably will but probably wont happen.   Being ready to be self efficient is a choice...
and yes there are those that were never taught or never heard of being ready to be self reliant.

I would say most of these people are people that could not afford the house they got.  There just living paycheck to paycheck and only fill the tank half full.   There living beyond their income(s).  They want everything right now and they want it their way generation.
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Elfie

Quote from: walkstall on November 02, 2012, 07:00:10 PM
I would say most of these people are people that could not afford the house they got.  There just living paycheck to paycheck and only fill the tank half full.   There living beyond their income(s).  They want everything right now and they want it their way generation.
Could be.... guess I was raised different... seen a few major disasters in my day and watched how it was dealt with...
Maybe it is a how you are raised thing,,, but dang,,,,,,its just beyond me people did not listen... They were told this would be a mutha of a storm,,they were told power would go out in many places for up to or beyond 2 weeks in alot of places....
I dont know,,,maybe its just because I do what I do,,,and forget the majority doesnt...
Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere.
Blaise Pascal

walkstall

Quote from: Elfie on November 02, 2012, 08:20:25 PM
Could be.... guess I was raised different... seen a few major disasters in my day and watched how it was dealt with...
Maybe it is a how you are raised thing,,, but dang,,,,,,its just beyond me people did not listen... They were told this would be a mutha of a storm,,they were told power would go out in many places for up to or beyond 2 weeks in alot of places....
I dont know,,,maybe its just because I do what I do,,,and forget the majority doesnt...


That is the key words MeLady. 
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Eyesabide

The dynamics are different due mostly to population compression. even though everyone has the same time to prepare, and has the same warnings, The less people around you to compete for given resources, the greater your chances are to obtain those resources.

Choice is great, and some people who choose to follow the guidelines of what the local news tells them they need are making a good choice. However, thats where many stop.  They meet the minimums and are unprepared with knowledge or experience, and do not know or think to compensate.

Caches may not be practical for city folk. and suburbanites are unlikely to have them either. Apartment dwellers are more vulnerable to looters and thugs, and if they have hidden caches nearby they are probably more along the lines of "grab and goes" than full caches.

Some people who have not been through disasters also are very nice and compassionate to those who did not prepare, and find themselves in a situation where they are unable to sustain themselves. That dynamic is less likely the farther out from the city you get. Not because the countryfolk are not kind or willing to help, but because the remoteness reduces the number of people looking for help.
Muskets High!

Eyesabide

Note- "Grab and Go's" in this case are small caches with minimal supplies or information. If your destination is more than a tank of gas away and you have a couple of alternate routes, you might hide a can of gas that you rotate out every couple of months to keep it fresh.  If you are on foot, you might have water or information as simple as names or pictures of people who live in that area. a pastor, or local big wig. You don't even have to have really known them, but if you sound like you have some connection to the area, you might buy yourself some time or at least fairly safe passage.
Muskets High!