How to Survive Societal Collapse in Suburbia

New York Times ^ | 11-16-12 | KEITH O’BRIEN

[21twelve]

“Well they could have “anti-hoarding” laws setup”

That IS in the latest Executive Order regarding “Homeland Security”.

[Bon mots]

That predator is protein!

[Lancey Howard]

“Suburbia”, huh? That sounds like a code word for “not black”. Is that another dog whistle I hear? - Chris Matthews

[Bon mots]

The final survivors will be the cannibals.

[kearnyirish2]

“but have seen comments on quite a few related “prepper” and end-of-the-world TV shows. Must be all the rage.”

Paints them as whackjobs; no serious prepper would ape for the camera like that (one guy shot his finger off). Reminded me of a show I saw a few weeks ago on “militias”; they focused on 3 tiny groups that would be more accurately described as “prepper clubs”.

Nothing is allowed on TV that would ever show independent streaks in a positive light.

[SueRae]

I have to do more in my prep work. Nearby water is not an issue, a number of streams, etc. within a short walking distance. And I have a small amount of purification supplies, etc.

For the life of me, I don’t know why peope flock to areas like Phoenix, etc. One of my least favorite cities, for those reasons, like living in a desert fishbowl..

[BobL]

Well stated. If we break down to that level, then I’m just out of luck. Yes, I could probably defend against a haggard guy, but what about two ex-cons...maybe. How about when they come back with 7 or 8. The point being, unless you can kill each attacker and each group of attackers as they arrive and then bury the bodies without anyone knowing anything has happened (i.e., dead rabbits tell no tales), then you will be eventually overwhelmed - and of course killing and burying everyone is not possible - unless you’re a drug lord (I saw a show on that). It just can’t have a happy ending.

[Brooklyn Attitude]

If things break down to a Mad Maxx type situation (and I dont think they will), we can predict what will happen based on real life. Take Somalia for example. Lone rangers don’t last long. Those in groups do OK, the better armed and organized groups either merge or kill each other. Warlords start to appear and they absorb/kill smaller groups. They want to grow to become more powerful than their enemy. If you want to survive you will be a member of one of the warlord’s militia. The warlord establishes the laws and enforces them. You either fight for, work for, or pay taxes to them. That’s how it always plays out. You can try to stay off the radar but that is very hard to do as the militia groups will be constantly scrounging for supplies. Once they find you it’s game over unless you join and the price of admission is everything you have.

[Pollster1]

Three day siege. some H&I fire to deprive you of sleep and peace. then ... Direct, smart, simultaneous assault from multiple directions at the right time, or multiple times. He doesn’t have the means to sustain a 24 X 7 X 360 degree multi-layered defense. there is no way he and his family of four (guessing) could keep ‘me’ and my band of marauders from taking ‘you and yours’ in three days/ 72 hours. he simply cannot control the order of battle or its tempo. I can. It is simple to war game this.

Don't overrate the enemy; that's as harmful as underestimating them. Just as car thieves could pop the lock on my car but instead simply walk on by and search for one that is unlocked and easier, I don't think there will be many organized bands of zombies staging a multi-day siege. If they get rebuffed from kicking in the door, they may try a real attack. If that leads to casualties, I expect them to simply leave. Remember, I don't have to defend my wife, my children, my food, and my home from you. I have to defend against someone lazy, untrained, and unskilled enough that he has chosen to be a predator. That is a MUCH easier task, especially if they know they can find an unarmed grandmother (or even easier, a liberal) to rob in the next neighborhood over.

[editor-surveyor]

Mostly I am with you.

The direct attack with overwhelming force would in all likelyhood come from a starving band of military regulars, after a failure of supply lines. Other than that possibility, I see little chance that anybody is going to follow anyone that isn’t feeding them well. Groups just don’t hold together without solid logistics.

The roaming singles or pairs will fall to the quiet pip of a .22 short at short range.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “FerFal has written about the strategy of the abandoned home.” <<

.
I seem to remember him speaking of a “home” within another building, and with a circuitous and well hidden entrance.

[JRandomFreeper]

Amateurs discuss tactics. Professionals discuss logistics. ;)

/johnny

[PA Engineer]

I seem to remember him speaking of a “home” within another building, and with a circuitous and well hidden entrance.

I think that was Selco. Ferfal was from Argentina and lived through an economic collapse. He had a much different take on making the home appear to be abandoned. When the home appears abandoned, looters will have no fear entering. His concern was individuals pretending to be utility workers or any other non-threatening person. These were the ones that would come to the home and murder families to get to the belongings.

[editor-surveyor]

U R right, my bad.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “The final survivors will be the cannibals.” <<

.
The final survivors will be God’s elect.

[editor-surveyor]

>> “and of course killing and burying everyone is not possible” <<

.
That is what manholes are for.

[One Name]

You got it, FRiend!

We were raised right and will exist to the last like snappin’ turtles!