Roving Gangs - Counter Tactics?

[Gazrok]

It's a well-written article, and with many valid points. However, at some point, we have to question whether or not we're willing to give up our humanity in the process of survival. I'm not so sure I would be. If a mom came to me with her kid, and they needed assistance, and I could do so, I likely would. Sure, I'd be on the lookout for her man in the bushes, or possibly even a whole band...I'm not a rube...but to not help...well, at the end of the day, I have to live with myself too.

I would take many precautions, but hopefully we could work out some kind of trade agreement. In a SHTF environment, there would be more work than ever around the ranch, so that isn't too hard a deal to strike. I will say this though. The SECOND any kind of duplicity is shown (for example, I ask if her man is out there waiting, and she says no, and turns out he is), I would have ZERO mercy, and instantly swing into protection mode. This point would be driven home right from the get go. I will make it very clear that lying makes one an instant threat, and we will deal with threats with absolute lethal force. Simply too much at risk not to.

Eventually, this person I help may even grow to become part of the community, depending on how we all mesh, etc. (and of course, the particular SHTF scenario).

 

[Roninsensei]

I will never establish trade until ROL is established. After that I'll still be wary but I agree with some of Gazroks points. I will help those that I can but only in a "join us or leave" scenario. If they choose to join us we will make it clear that lying will result in immediate removal and banishment. So level with us now or else. I believe in strength in numbers. But I'm no fool... They will never know the full extent of us until we 110% trust them. I have a camp scenario with multiple levels of property. The more your trusted the higher up the hill you go. This also puts the newest members in the position of first defense and response to protect us. They will earn there keep or be banished. Pretty simple... lol

 

[Gazrok]

You have to have some trusted old-timers though too, in the first ring of defense, otherwise, the newbies could be in cahoots, and let others IN!

 

[Roninsensei]

Don't give all my plans away Gaz!!!

 

[Gazrok]

Any chance of moving this to the new Tactics forum?

 

[Roninsensei]

Done

 

[Gazrok]

Thanks!

 

[psalm 7]

When I think about some of the characters I've met over the years and My work means I have to deal with all kinds of situations today it is easy to see how roving gangs would be a major problem in a lawless time . Many individuals live like marauders / gangs now . I work in a very public place and responsible for overall operations and security as we don't have security to speak of thoes of us in leadership have to respond . Every thing will be going smooth and then we get a call that a trouble maker or fight is creating a scene and scareing the public . Like Forrest Gump said Life is like a box of chocolate you never know what you are going to get .

 

[Gazrok]

Come SHTF, I think gangs are a given. I just hope most of them lack the fuel and drive to range out, and that even less have capable leadership that can employ clever tactics, etc.

It's the paramilitary types I worry about, that realize that a world where might makes right, is basically theirs for the taking. The good news though, is that such men would likely be willing to entertain a treaty that benefited them in some way.

 

[psalm 7]

I know a paramilitary type group in another state that I had differances with several years ago . I hope I never run into them agin if we do I hope all bystanders know to duck and cover . Yes in a lawless world they will be a roving gang no doubt . I met these gentelmen during my younger days while looking for adventure in what they now call security contractors .

 

[110035]

They will prey on the weakest for sure. Tree across the road , barking dogs,gun shots, any deterrent will probably send them on down the road to easier pickings.

Unless your the type to slowly pick them off. Say, follow them and set traps in their path or find ways to divide or split the group into smaller groups.
Fortunately, I a the type that likes to look out for others and will be one to tear up a group of opportunists or as I like to place it from the video game Fallout 3 (Raiders).

 

[Silent Bob]

I know a paramilitary type group in another state that I had differances with several years ago . I hope I never run into them agin if we do I hope all bystanders know to duck and cover . Yes in a lawless world they will be a roving gang no doubt . I met these gentelmen during my younger days while looking for adventure in what they now call security contractors .

Part of the reason, some of our members are in law enforcement and one is federal...they have a pretty good handle on those type of people you mentioned about and your right...they did become contractors.

 

[realisticdude]

Unless your the type to slowly pick them off. Say, follow them and set traps in their path or find ways to divide or split the group into smaller groups.
Fortunately, I a the type that likes to look out for others and will be one to tear up a group of opportunists or as I like to place it from the video game Fallout 3 (Raiders).

I think the gang will disband..................when the " on point " brain matter sprays on them.

 

[Silent Bob]

The advantage goes to the defender if you have space, a very good long rifle and one who has a steady shot to engage at distances of 700 or greater. Nothing places more fear in an offensive group, then an unseen enemy and a very well trained sniper can ruin any good leaders plans.

Invest now in building confidence in the long-rife. Take a lesson from America's history...The Pennsylvania Long rifle was feared in the American Revolution, The Kentucky rifle was feared at the Alamo and our more modern sniper weapons were feared by all in Iraq and Afghanistan. Enough said.

 

[Gazrok]

Key part of my defensive strategy. The ability to fire at attackers through the pastures, while they climb or get through fences, while our shooters are in concrete firing positions.

However, the primary weaknesses would be an overwhelming force (too many to shoot all of them), or packing heavier firepower (military grade stuff), but really, in those cases, time to try and negotiate or time to run and hide (executing the revenge plan on the way out). Then coming back to pick off the survivors.

 

[psalm 7]

When the gobblins are on the attack and they see thier buddy drop like a sack of feed and there is that pink mist hanging in the air they start to lose the will to continue . With what is avalible today anyone letting themself be out gunned . It's there own fault .

 

[Gazrok]

Don't know about you, but I don't have the dough to drop on a rocket launcher, whereas a gang made up of ex military (pre SHTF) will have such equipment.

No real home defense against that particular threat (just as an example).

 

[Tyler]

My plan when I get back will be to work on creating a group of 3 who will act like hit and run snipers that will atempt to draw them away while causing fear in their group. Then they will hopefully decide that it isn't worth attacking us (hopefully we would cause enough damage to them) and I will set "shotgun shell ****y traps" (cut and angle a nail under the primer so when they step on it, it set off the shell.)

 

[jontte]

a good sniper is worth his/hers weight in gold... Simo Häyhä wasn't tall but oh so good, don't think he was nicknamed the white death for talking nice during the winter war..a good long rifle, my next investment, take the pistol later...

 

[Tyler]

My thought will be to pick up a 7mm rem mag for long shots of 500+ yards. The idea will be to pick off the ones calling the shots and high value targets. Our plan so far is to be the thorn in the side so that we aren't worth the trouble. Plan is (right now) to run longer range (1 km) patrols and shorter range (500+ meter) patrols to give us and early warning system that we hope will give us the edge over larger groups. The plan will be to distract and redirect an armed group away from us and force them to re-evaluate their surroundings while we pick them off with long range kills from a range where we can control what happens. The idea revolves around drawing them away from where we will be, giving others a chance to get ready to move or to defend where we are

 

[110035]

Key part of my defensive strategy. The ability to fire at attackers through the pastures, while they climb or get through fences, while our shooters are in concrete firing positions.

However, the primary weaknesses would be an overwhelming force (too many to shoot all of them), or packing heavier firepower (military grade stuff), but really, in those cases, time to try and negotiate or time to run and hide (executing the revenge plan on the way out). Then coming back to pick off the survivors.

If you should happen to come across such a group. Homemade explosives (pipe bombs, napalm, and tear gas) all being remote or proximity activated are a nice final surprise. If you think about it and get the right training you can divert or disperse any threat even with items around the house. Military grade is nice, however, your day to day supplies can still give you the edge when needed.

Also you can make fused bombs with cannon fuse and the right amount of home supplies, create a blast radius of 50ft or greater (depending on supplies used and the size of the explosive).


Another note to add, is Who to kill in a large group?
Most of the time groups cannot fight without a Leader. Very few folks are actually capable of leadership let alone planning and organizing accurately and effectively. Find the leader and drop him.

 

[psalm 7]

Your right about rocket launcher Gaz . I wasn't refering to gangs with Military heavy equipment but what most groups would have . The shot gun shell ****y trap will not go off most of the time . One should stick with Viet Cong type ****y traps . We should not get into the Improvised devise's . That info is out there but one shouldn't post to much about it .

 

[Maverick]

controlled remote detonation, use your own imagination, several of these will make a bad group think

+ + + makes this

 

[Gazrok]

Yep, pre SHTF, just not going to get into improvised explosives. That will get you arrested in no time. I do have an ex demolitions expert as one of my team members though, so you can bet we'll come up with stuff, but AFTER any SHTF scenario. Prepping for that ahead of time, and talking about it, are quick tickets to the slammer. No thanks.

 

[Maverick]

talking about it one thing doing it is another, I can go to the local library and get all sorts of step by step instruction, kurt saxon (not in jail) to name one, my son says youtube is full of instruction, I think my post is quite tame in comparison I do think posting step by step instructions would be irresponsible, but given the title of the topic, it would make it difficult in replying by sugar coating things or P/Cing the responses

 

[110035]

the locals cannot arrest you over talking about it or posting about it. they can only do something if you actually put it together, hell, you can have the supplies stock piled and they cannot do anything about it.

 

[Gazrok]

Just seen too many "preppers" gone after for it recently is all, so personally, I'm not going to discuss those, hehe.

 

[jontte]

these days even talking about things can get you in trouble, atleast what I've found out at work...

 

[Maverick]

Just seen too many "preppers" gone after for it recently is all, so personally, I'm not going to discuss those, hehe.

I have too and it is toubling

 

[psalm 7]

LEO just needs resonable suspision to put you through a lot of grief . But like Kurt said it's always for " When the Russians attack " .