Road Blocks, Check Points, in a SHTF Setting?

[Schattentarn]

I am way up here in the mountains along with a few other retired people. We have water. Entrances and egress is by a paved road, an unpaved road and a very, very rough dirt firebreak-type road. I my opinion our key to survival is in posting a road block/check point so that everyone in the Central Valley (I am in California) does not come here looking for handouts.

A chain saw and fifteen minutes work would accomplish the block. A gatekeeper and a couple guys with rifles could protect us against a mob not knowing where they are going or the lay of the land. People belonging here would be waived through.

Have any of you considered this? Militias do talk about doing things like this. Or am I completely off base and we should just admit everyone if they belong here or not?

 

[KateMTx]

I am way up here in the mountains along with a few other retired people. We have water. Entrances and egress is by a paved road, an unpaved road and a very, very rough dirt firebreak-type road. I my opinion our key to survival is in posting a road block/check point so that everyone in the Central Valley (I am in California) does not come here looking for handouts.

A chain saw and fifteen minutes work would accomplish the block. A gatekeeper and a couple guys with rifles could protect us against a mob not knowing where they are going or the lay of the land. People belonging here would be waived through.

Have any of you considered this? Militias do talk about doing things like this. Or am I completely off base and we should just admit everyone if they belong here or not?

I admit I don't really know anything about this. But, it seems that in a SHTF situation you have to do what you have to do. Protect yourself and they people you love. And there are plenty of other isolated areas they can go to if they survive fleeing the cities.

 

[tmttactical]

Your plan ties up too much man power on lookout duty. Dig a ditch, install cattle guard raised up. If or when the undesirables come, they will lower the raised gate and set off a signal flare. This will serve two purposes-- 1) alert your group it has company and 2) tell the uninvited you are prepared for their arrival. They have just lost the element of surprise. It will also demonstrate to the undesirables you have thought out your plan well in advance. Any kind of road block can be rigged to announce unwanted guests.

 

[Brent S]

I do think having a perimeter security is a really good idea. Not feasible for lots of folks in more urban areas, but it sounds like you have a defendable location. I feel strongly about security going to hell quickly if shtf. Hell, right now in Atlanta the crime goes uninvestigated half the time. I can’t imagine how bad it will get when law enforcement quits to protect their families and people start getting hungry.

 

[tmttactical]

Perimeter security is paramount to safety but manning it 24-7 is too labor intensive. The security must be designed to activate without defending humans manning a lookout station or security consoles. Once a breach has been detected, then man the battle stations. Survival post SHTF is going to be very physical and require all hand on deck to feed the group. Sitting about to watch the road is not going to be on the agenda. The number of alert type traps is only limited by the defenders mind.

 

[JackDW]

We (my neighbors and myself) has a similar setup but on a much smaller scale. We have one state road and a private dirt/gravel road to access our properties.
We have several pieces of equipment available to modify the access points as need. We will most likely dig a deep trench (excavator will come in handy) across the public road. We will then drop a couple big trees across the private road. If necessary, we can move the trees to get in or off as needed. Again the heavy equipment will be needed.

This will not stop "foot" traffic for people approaching by foot but a few armed neighbors will be a good deterrent. At least someone would have to approach on foot as there is no way to easily access with any type of traffic.

Perfect, heck no, but it does provide some protection. People will have to make a very concentrated effort just to reach the four houses that may or may not have any supplies.

 

[Illini Warrior]

you won't be stopping everyone - because - there's going to be people scattered around into every remote nook & cranny ...
but you most certainly shouldn't be sending out invitations - wouldn't be permanently blocking the only egress with something like a hard to remove tree or rockslide >>>> HIDING your road would be of more benefit than just blocking it - people will be looking for trails & remote roads to access possible camping spots or deserted homes ....

if a small town is off a major county/state road - it would be a good idea to take signage down and drop a piece of farm equipment blocking the road ...

 

[jontte]

staying under the radar would be ideal,been thinking alot of that as I'm still a city dweller...

it would be a good idea to take signage down and drop a piece of farm equipment blocking the road ...

that's one thing I like very much,prolly why the keep teaching us "the art of map reading" every time we have reserve trainings

 

[tmttactical]

For urban folks, the best plan (for a fast burn event --IMHO) is to hunker down and drop out of sight and mind. Surviving in a urban location is doable but requires planning far in advance. You will have to be able to cook, perform hygienic necessities (bath / wash), perform bodily functions, while never leaving the home (structure), for a period of weeks or maybe months. How you will be able to accomplish these tasks is where the planning come into play. You will not be able to just wing this, you will need certain items before you have to lock down.

 

[user 6493]

I am way up here in the mountains along with a few other retired people. We have water. Entrances and egress is by a paved road, an unpaved road and a very, very rough dirt firebreak-type road. I my opinion our key to survival is in posting a road block/check point so that everyone in the Central Valley (I am in California) does not come here looking for handouts.

A chain saw and fifteen minutes work would accomplish the block. A gatekeeper and a couple guys with rifles could protect us against a mob not knowing where they are going or the lay of the land. People belonging here would be waived through.

Have any of you considered this? Militias do talk about doing things like this. Or am I completely off base and we should just admit everyone if they belong here or not?

my way of thinking is what you suggest draws to much attention,,,,I am of the mind to lay low and not be seen,,,,,, blocking roads and gatekeepers scream I have stuff you might want to steal

 

[jimLE]

not to mention that let's folks know that folks live down that road.where they didn't know it before hand.but that's only IF the tree can be seen from the primary road..

 

[Illini Warrior]

For urban folks, the best plan (for a fast burn event --IMHO) is to hunker down and drop out of sight and mind. Surviving in a urban location is doable but requires planning far in advance. You will have to be able to cook, perform hygienic necessities (bath / wash), perform bodily functions, while never leaving the home (structure), for a period of weeks or maybe months. How you will be able to accomplish these tasks is where the planning come into play. You will not be able to just wing this, you will need certain items before you have to lock down.

only problem - guaranteed with just about every single possible SHTF >>> looting & arson <<<< freaking damn people could be dropping dead from the plaque and the stupid MFers will be trying get a 72" TV out a store window ...

give it a couple of days and every single store - tiny to large - will be a burned shell >>>> next comes the residential looting - if the residents of towns/subdivisions/neighborhoods/streets don't blockade and back them up with a show of force - get ready to bug out as the looters go door to door taking out the residents individually >>> show the least little resistance and they'll head to the next eazy wide-open target - for the lazy cowards gobbling up soft shell peanuts beats trying to crack a coconut any day ...

 

[Brent S]

only problem - guaranteed with just about every single possible SHTF >>> looting & arson <<<< freaking damn people could be dropping dead from the plaque and the stupid MFers will be trying get a 72" TV out a store window ...

give it a couple of days and every single store - tiny to large - will be a burned shell >>>> next comes the residential looting - if the residents of towns/subdivisions/neighborhoods/streets don't blockade and back them up with a show of force - get ready to bug out as the looters go door to door taking out the residents individually >>> show the least little resistance and they'll head to the next eazy wide-open target - for the lazy cowards gobbling up soft shell peanuts beats trying to crack a coconut any day ...

I agree that standing your ground would deter most looters. Shoot one and the others would likely reconsider the benefit of continuing. The large cities are different though. With the number of weapons out there it wouldn’t take much for gangs to acquire an Arsenal. Knowing when to fight and when to evacuate isn’t always so easy.

 

[tmttactical]

Fast Burn Event --- Grid down --- Urban locations. When the grid goes down -- logistic kick in, big time. Remember 3 days without water. The sheeple and wolves will waste a day or two doing nothing or stupid things. The wolves will spend the first couple of days looting and the sheeple will spend the first couple of days having BBQ's to eat up all that refrigerated / frozen stuff. By day three, they will have consumed all their supplies, emptied out the stores and there will not be any supplies to loot, either in stores or homes. Now the final days countdown starts. Sheeple and Wolves will become painfully aware of the fact, there is no food OR water left. That is when the main exodus will begin. Why go house to house (risking life and limb) to search for non-existent supplies? When the light bulb finally comes on above their little pointed heads, it will be too late. Nothing left to steal and nothing left to sustain anybody and too late to evac.

Now the rural communities maybe be a different story, depending on the quality of the people and leadership. Some will pull together and survive and others will go the way big cities. No past history to judge from. The scale of the disaster is just too large.

 

[Illini Warrior]

I agree that standing your ground would deter most looters. Shoot one and the others would likely reconsider the benefit of continuing. The large cities are different though. With the number of weapons out there it wouldn’t take much for gangs to acquire an Arsenal. Knowing when to fight and when to evacuate isn’t always so easy.

in a city it would be more like an individual apartment building stand >>> be ready with board-up materials for the lower levels and chain & padlocks for the doors - especial attention if the front door is electromagnetic locked (buzzer in remote system) - the electrolocks are usually fail safe"open" and need a manual locking system ...

the gangs would be more likely better organized to take on the bigger heists - especially if given advance timing to form heist teams >>> take on the safes at the jewelry stores and money exchanges $$$ - empty out warehouses - maybe make a raid on the city's jail to breakout gang members ...

 

[tmttactical]

in a city it would be more like an individual apartment building stand >>> be ready with board-up materials for the lower levels and chain & padlocks for the doors - especial attention if the front door is electromagnetic locked (buzzer in remote system) - the electrolocks are usually fail safe"open" and need a manual locking system ...

the gangs would be more likely better organized to take on the bigger heists - especially if given advance timing to form heist teams >>> take on the safes at the jewelry stores and money exchanges $$$ - empty out warehouses - maybe make a raid on the city's jail to breakout gang members ...

And that is the stupid stuff I mentioned in posts. While the gangs are trying to steal everything of value, the regular sheeple will be raiding the stores for food. The Urbanites will be BBQing . Almost all will be wasting precious time and resources, they will not be able to recapture. The gene pool will get a huge dose of chlorine.

 

[jontte]

you'll have to have the mindset of a prepper in this matter, a prepper will work his/hers ass off to be able to get even more supplies needed, to make everything as secure as it can be made, a prepper in urban enviroment prolly
already have a map,where some key targets are,made up routes for a possible evac and a prepper don't give a rats ass about that 50" tv some idiots are carrying

 

[Schattentarn]

you'll have to have the mindset of a prepper in this matter, a prepper will work his/hers ass off to be able to get even more supplies needed, to make everything as secure as it can be made, a prepper in urban enviroment prolly
already have a map,where some key targets are,made up routes for a possible evac and a prepper don't give a rats ass about that 50" tv some idiots are carrying

 

[Schattentarn]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys.

The roadblock I am thinking of would materialize around a blind corner coming up. It would be two trees, each almost blocking the road so that a vehicle would have to drive to the far edge, then round the first trunk, then go back the same way to the opening at the second trunk. Both tunks would be cover and a shooter above and behind the roadblock would provide a crossfire if necessary.

But the ditch idea does sound good. Gangs would be the big problem and they would have plenty of looting experience by the time they reach me and probably think nothing of killing resistors. If this check point is not manned 24/7 why would foot traffic not just go around? There is no pot of gold up here, certainly nothing worth one of their lives but they may not understand this.

 

[jontte]

****y traps ?..silent,lethal,scary and demoralizing

 

[tmttactical]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys.

The roadblock I am thinking of would materialize around a blind corner coming up. It would be two trees, each almost blocking the road so that a vehicle would have to drive to the far edge, then round the first trunk, then go back the same way to the opening at the second trunk. Both tunks would be cover and a shooter above and behind the roadblock would provide a crossfire if necessary.

But the ditch idea does sound good. Gangs would be the big problem and they would have plenty of looting experience by the time they reach me and probably think nothing of killing resistors. If this check point is not manned 24/7 why would foot traffic not just go around? There is no pot of gold up here, certainly nothing worth one of their lives but they may not understand this.

First you will not have the manpower to waste on sentry duty. Second as Jontte pointed out ****y traps. Signal flares, noise makers, all serve the same purpose of a sentry. Third the signal flares located inside your property line, will announce that the bad guys are already checking out your place and not just walking down the road. Now take in human nature. The intruders will take the least path of resistance, the same as all animals. You don't break brush, when there is a clear path.

Make a natural looking impediment or have an old rusty looking raised cattle gate to block vehicle traffic. Foot traffic will not venture far from the road when scouting out unknown territory. Houses and structures visible from the roads will be investigated. Far out of sight and away from the road structures would be found by accident. Resident making too much noise, lights visible at night, those kinds of mistakes. Trip wire signal flares can be placed several miles up and down the road from you property. You will have plenty of advance warning and the bad guys will still now know where to look. Actual man power is going to be in short supply and in high demand, use it wisely.

 

[jontte]

it all comes down to man power as UP pointed, reliable dudes and dudettes will be in high demand.

 

[Proud Prepper]

Having signal type traps far from any defenses is best. Camouflage of your road, buildings etc.. is important. You want everyone to move past you. Fake and misleading signs can be used.

 

[jontte]

as I'm a city dweller and live on the 2nd floor with a balcony,there are some issues I have to consider, luckily I'm able ( if I have to ) cover both my outer door and my balcony from the same spot if needed.
and I can barricade my door,both the outer and inner in less than 5-7 mins,sure if some one is determind they can breach it,but it will take time and it will be noisy.

 

[user 6493]

in the end if the SHTF I know that the only way to avoid the gangs is stealth,,,,which in my case is going deeper into the woods,,,this place is wild and large enough you could hide a Division here

 

[jontte]

there you have GG your man power,you just take command of that division

 

[tmttactical]

For those with balcony's, windows, or other view points, a home made periscope (cheap DIY project) is nice way to check for folks roaming about, without exposing yourself to unwanted attention. In WW1, troops in the trenches used these type of devices to spy on the. opposing troops. Sticking your head up above the trench invites a sniper to take target practice.

 

[Illini Warrior]

as I'm a city dweller and live on the 2nd floor with a balcony,there are some issues I have to consider, luckily I'm able ( if I have to ) cover both my outer door and my balcony from the same spot if needed.
and I can barricade my door,both the outer and inner in less than 5-7 mins,sure if some one is determind they can breach it,but it will take time and it will be noisy.

be careful of penetration from a common wall you have with an adjoining apartment or hallway >>> those ghetto rats do that all the time in the buildings they take over & habitat - even knock holes in the floors/ceilings to move up & down the building without using the stairways ....

 

[jontte]

luckily, they love to use concrete here, it's like building with lego,but on a larger scale

 

[KateMTx]

****y traps ?..silent,lethal,scary and demoralizing

I'm a huge fan of ****y traps, especially ones that are equipped to alert you when they are tripped.