Somebody calls a neighborhood meeting, and declaring himself the chairman...

[INresponse]

Have any of you ever watched the old Big Brother tv show, or Survivor tv show? (I had to in a past life due to the people that surrounded me, good riddance to them)
Whether you take part or not you will quickly find that the group will systematically pick on one person/family at a time. Little Johnny is hiding stuff in his shed, we need to go as a group and force open the shed. Then, Little Debbie always has nice jewelry and is probably hiding some, we need to force her to give it up so we can trade it for gasoline. One at a time they will whittle down those they want to pick on until there is just one tight knit group left with everyone else's goods.

Listen to the meeting, take notes on who is who, drop back 300 yards to high elevation ...and "punt" them out of the picture as soon as possible.

 

[Camalot]

IMO in a real time SHTF with no rule of law it will most likely be a mayor or county commissioner and a sheriff's deputy or local police chief and a few local pillars of the community showing up suggesting they take what you have for the good of everyone. These will be the first casualties.

 

[Neb]

IMO in a real time SHTF with no rule of law it will most likely be a mayor or county commissioner and a sheriff's deputy or local police chief and a few local pillars of the community showing up suggesting they take what you have for the good of everyone. These will be the first casualties.

My brother is the CEO of the local VFD. He would have something to say about that.

Ben

 

[The Lazy L]

O.K. Lazy L. You have piqued my curiosity. How did our answers compare to those on the other forum? Are we all like-minded or were there some large differences? Just curious.

I'll give a few more a chance to respond before I'll tell.

 

[joel]

I am hopful that I will be at my BOL by the time this happens.
Right now, I would be a sitting duck among wolves.
Most of the people around me, wait till the snow on the ground to stock up.

 

[Peanut]

I think this premise is unrealistic. In any neighborhood clicks already exist, small groups of neighbors, 2 or 3 that already have an affinity for each other. In a larger “neighborhood” community leaders would already exist. A loose command structure is already there.

In an emergency a committee of these leaders would be quickly formed. At some later date someone who has shown a unique ability to deal with the present emergency may emerge as a “leader” but not the beginning.

If at the start of an “emergency” someone by sheer force of will or personality who tries “to be in charge” they would simply be ignored. Unless General Flynn just retired and moved into the house on the corner this is not realistic.

 

[Amish Heart]

We don't really have a neighborhood, so to speak. There is an Amish family on one side of us waaaayyyy down the road, and an English family waay down the other side, and everyone stocks food and raises animals so to speak. I'm guessing your question would be aimed at maybe a cul de sac neighborhood in the suburbs?

 

[Camalot]

My brother is the CEO of the local VFD. He would have something to say about that.

Ben

He probably should if he thinks he is going to take what I have. Socialism? I didn't sacrifice for that.

 

[Neb]

He probably should if he thinks he is going to take what I have. Socialism? I didn't sacrifice for that.

My brother and sister are also preppers so we already have a group of 12 before the extended family arrives. Our group is already established.

No need to establish a communist government.

Ben

 

[SLADE]

I wouldn't be at the meeting in the first place.

 

[joel]

There are about 20 of us, metal worker, gardener, lab tech/nurse,electrician,mechanic, carpenter, plumber.
We all foraging & gardening, have fruit trees on eight lots that make up about 38 acres.

 

[bkt]

"Somebody calls a neighborhood meeting, and declaring himself the chairman announces that what we need to do is go through everyone's house and make an inventory of what everyone has, so it can be shared out equally to what everyone needs.

That would go over like a fart in a space suit with me. It's not gonna be tolerated.

My bigger concern would be the rest of the neighborhood: most people are sheep and WANT to be led by someone. One idiot declaring himself "chairman" I can deal with. The rest of the neighborhood following his lead might be problematic.

 

[Camalot]

My brother and sister are also preppers so we already have a group of 12 before the extended family arrives. Our group is already established.

No need to establish a communist government.

Ben

I have not been able to get anyone interested here. Of the few I have told no one wants to be bothered with doing anything with the exception of one 75 year old lady. She and I work together. Everyone one else gives it the old "I'll just come to your house thing."

 

[joel]

I have not been able to get anyone interested here. Of the few I have told no one wants to be bothered with doing anything with the exception of one 75 year old lady. She and I work together. Everyone one else gives it the old "I'll just come to your house thing."

Tell them that why you stock ammo and they have to join now to eat later. The little red hen!

 

[Camalot]

Tell them that why you stock ammo and they have to join now to eat later. The little red hen!

You really don't want to say too much but here everyone knows me anyway. The only surprise would be if I didn't! lol

 

[Neb]

Indentured servitude was invented for times like that. Supposedly the second oldest profession was bean counters to keep track of the bookkeeping.

A day worth of food for a day worth of work.

Throw in a cup of coffee to start the day and a shot of whiskey to end the day could keep people peaceful until the community rebuilds.

Ben

 

[Hardcalibres]

Firstly, in a free country, everyone gets to choose where they live. If a crisis occurs and you end up at the OPs hypothetical meeting, then you picked the wrong place to live. If such a meeting could be held where you live now, then you should think about moving somewhere safer.

Secondly, whatever you do, you need to maintain your OPSEC - so aim to be the gray man at the meeting and blend in - so that means you don't yell at anyone or walkout.
Suggest to the meeting that, since the community has very little stored food and that every day is a day closer to when that food will run out, that production of food must commence immediately. Suggest that public/common land must be cultivated and planted. Offer to loan the community shovels to start that work. Provide a modest amount of labor to help in those projects - but make sure that doesn't compromize the security of your dwelling at any time.

Thirdly, if any group shows up to inspect your place for stored food, treat the group like any other raiders. Later, claim that you didn't know who they were and that it was all an honest mistake. Urge the community to keep busy with their food growing efforts. That has more chance of saving them than sharing your food up among the whole population anyway.

As they starve, they get weaker and you don't. Play for time.

Try to minimize your contact with the community. Say you have sickness in your household and that everyone needs to keep away for their safety. Continue to strengthen your defences.

Be ready to bug out/leave on an INCH journey if your situation becomes untenable. If you do that, leave at 2AM. You should already have several backup/fallback locations you can go to (as part of your layered survival plan).

The less ideal your current location is, the more important mobility is as a survival capability.

 

[Bacpacker]

After giving this more thought. I do like the idea of agreeing, with the chairmans property the 1st raided. They would then be invited to stop by and check out my hogs. They don't leave many scraps.

 

[DrPrepper]

I'd shoot the Chairman in the head and ask who else wants to take my stuff.

I'm with Hiwall - I'd just shoot him and be done with it! Set a precedent for anyone who wants to mess with me or mine during a SHTF situation!

 

[goshengirl]

Lots of good food for thought here. And I agree with @bkt and @Hardcalibres - the reaction of the other neighbors is a key issue, and we all choose where we live.

Where we are now, I really don't know which way it would go. There's really no camaraderie on the street, and I don't trust any of them - but I think it's possible that a number of folks would accept some sort of leadership like that. The lady next door is harmless, except for the fact that she's a busy-body who watches us, even though we try to be private. She would have loose lips if it benefited her.

We're building a home on our farm this summer. In that location I know exactly who would band together, and I believe in our group. We have seven family/couple units that all think alike and currently work together just as neighbors. Geographically we're at the head of a hollow. It's the meth-heads in the back of the hollow that are the concern, but I don't think they would last very long.

 

[200years2late]

When I told an old timer aquaintance of mine that I was moving to this fairly remote subdivision of sorts he said "Don't get to know your neighbors. That way they'll be there for youy when you need them". I didn't understand at the time but now I see it as sage advice and kind of wish I had followed it.

 

[Hardcalibres]

After giving this more thought. I do like the idea of agreeing, with the chairmans property the 1st raided. They would then be invited to stop by and check out my hogs. They don't leave many scraps.

When you raid/inspect the chairman's house, he will have last night's leftovers and a frozen pizza.........that is why he thinks sharing the food out is a good idea.

His posse will also be similarly "have-nots" - that is why they volunteered.

That is the problem with communities during a very severe crisis where many are going to starve.

It is very difficult (or perhaps impossible) to live among starving people when you are not.

Some other anecdotes about very severe starvation type crises:

1) If you are not cut out for watching your neighbors and their kids starve to death (and most are not), then you need to either leave or share you supplies accepting that you have just deferred their death a little at the cost of your own life.

2) Warning people that if they do (this) you will do (that) is a luxury that is unaffordable in a PAW - the element of surprise will determine the outcome of most conflicts. Don't warn people, just do what you determine you need to do.

3) There is no such thing as an unfair fight. Avail yourself of whatever advantages you can to ensure you prevail.

4) In a fight, do not stop until all the threats are destroyed - there is no such thing as "too dead".

5) An organized community of starving people is more dangerous to people with supplies than a disorganized community - as this thread sort of alludes to.

6) All these challenges are why so many serious survivalists choose to live far away from most people.

 

[Aerindel]

Well, obviously I would have no part of a community. The first and most important prep is to get away from communities.

But for the sake of argument, if I had fallen on bad times and ended up in as part of one:

At the meeting, I would stand halfway back, and nod my head, and act like everyone else, wait for the meeting to break up and then head home, declare Defcon1 and bug out as fast as possible, setting my house on fire as I left for good measure.

Bugging in is always preferred of course, but you can't bug in a community like that.

 

[Terri9630]

Go to the meeting and declare yourself the chairman. Then inform the former self-appointed chairman any attempted trespass will be met with overwhelming physical force.

We had 3 guys try to start an HMO. They were kind enough to take on the responsibility of running it till an election could be held. That did not sit well with people. A lady sat through the whole thing and finally got up, gave all 3 guys a letter from her law firm notifying them she would bring legal action against them personally if they tried to force the HMO. She told them it really didn't matter if she won because she wouldn't have to pay for a lawyer and they would.
The meeting was over and there was no further mention of an HMO.

We bought our current house and I was researching the restrictions of the HMO. I discovered that the developer was required to have an HMO so drew one up and got it approved. The subdivision was approved and they started development. Before the first lot was sold they had a home owners meeting and voted to dissolve the HMO with a 100% approval.
Not really on point but it expresses my opinion.

I thought an HMO was medical insurance.. What's it stand for? We have passed on properties with HOA's. Our place has a land owners association but all its for is road and community well maintenance.

 

[Cascadian]

This is a good opportunity to let people reveal thier true nature and save me the trouble of figuring them out. I would not return the favor.

 

[hiwall]

What kind of stupid would it take for someone to stand if front of a crowd of tense heavily armed people and say they would be going to search everyone's house and take what they wanted?

 

[Camalot]

I have sacrificed much to have what I do have. I was also born and raised here so I know all of these people. I have tried to casually encourage folks to prepare. They choose not to and many of them have many more resources than I do. This is also a very community oriented place and come together when we have issues but I am NOT obligated to feed anyone at all. And I certainly do not have enough to feed everyone. I will not starve with them. Those that think they have the backbone to take what I have shall have their backbone removed. Unfortunately I actually see this scenario playing out.

 

[Neb]

An important fact that has not been mentioned in this thread is how to guard our preps against a mob eventually figures out someone isn't loosing any weight.

As shown in the documentary The Shelter"



A mob will turn on you if they know you have what they need.

Sure you can kill some to make it clear that you aren't going to let them steal it. You could ignore the rotting bodies stand as a warning but eventually they find you asleep and overwhelm you. Nobody can stand watch 24x7. Unless you have tower that will let guard the front and the back of your house there will have to be at least guards 24x7. To prevent one of the guards from being picked off there has to be a way of coordinating the front and rear so security coordinator is called for.

So let's say that 3 people 24x7 is what is required to keep the mob at bay. But the guards have to sleep sometime.

So to fill one guard position standing an 8 hour shift we need at least 3 people. In order for the guards to remain sane they will need a day off so add a fourth person so they can have one day off once every 3 day.

We are up to 12 security people at this point...

Continued in next post

BEN

 

[Neb]

An important fact that has not been mentioned in this thread is how to guard our preps against a mob eventually figures out someone isn't loosing any weight.

As shown in the documentary The Shelter"



A mob will turn on you if they know you have what they need.

...

We are up to 12 security people at this point...

Continued in next post

BEN

That is 12 people that will not be tending gardens preparing food and other required tasks to be able to live after the long term storage runs out. So a thriving group will maybe 36 people considering some will be young to allow the species to survive.

To be continued...

Ben

 

[Camalot]

That is 12 people that will not be

Of course they will. All these thing shave been considered already. Will you be giving your preps up to the mob? This will more than likely be the first serious litmus test.