Note: This article was contributed by Cory from survivethewild.net.
Being a prepper has many great benefits, you have abundant food storage and supplies, you have a bug out bag ready for any situation and you have knowledge that could mean life and death when the SHTF.
But all of these things could make you a target to those close to you who see the abundance of supplies and knowledge you have.
So we’re going to go over the threats that are likely present to your survival preps right now, whether you live in the suburbs of Los Angeles or the rural dirt roads of Killeen, TX. There’s always someone that wants what you have, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
Also we will take a glimpse into the future of the dangers that could be avoided. No one knows for certain how life will be once the SHTF, but we can make accurate assumptions based on what we know now.
Present Threats to Your Survival Preps
Threat #1 Neighbors
While this may not be a big concern if you live out in the sticks, if you live in the city you’ll have people within arms distance no matter where you turn. Which means that eyes will be on you and what you’re doing, whether with intent to get what you have or just out of curiosity.
Neighbors aren’t in themselves a bad thing, community is what we all desire and if you have the right community then great. Just know that if you let your community become aware of your survival preps, then you have put yourself on their list of “resources”, and they’ll likely come knocking your door down when it all goes down.
Ways You Can Avoid This
- Unload your preps or more valuable supplies at night
- Store survival preps away from your home in a bunker or storage unit
- Convert nosy neighbors to helpers that assist you, this could be dangerous, but pay off in a big way
Threat #2 Isolation
It’s true that there’s safety in isolation, but that goes for the perpetrator as well.
If you do live in the rural areas then you will need to be on your guard more so than people living within the city. Not because there’s more people, but for the fact that there’s less people which can be witnesses.
Think about it, if someone were to get past your defenses and use mildly silenced weapons to take you and your family down in a blaze of gun fire at night, there probably wouldn’t be anyone to stop them or witness it.
Isolation may be a great defense, but it’s a double-edged sword.
Ways You Can Avoid This
- Don’t go for complete isolation, a few densely wooded acres is enough to feel secluded
- Establish relationships with those closest (geographically) to you and have nightly check ins. This can be an excuse to build lasting relationships to prevent cabin fever.
Threat #3 Burglars (Greedy Preppers)
This sounds like a pretty small factor to a prepper. I mean, you’re someone who’s got plenty of ammunition and know how to take care of a simple burglar. But as is the case in life, it’s not always that simple.
There are preppers in the community who would much rather take from those who’ve spent the time storing food and make plans, rather than do it themselves.
And unfortunately these people are a very real threat, mostly because you’re fighting an enemy who is reading from the same playbook as you essentially. Which means that you’ll need to get a little crafty in your defenses.
How To Avoid
- Maintain a constant state of awareness as to who’s around your property or neighborhood. Whoever seems out of the norm should be documented, and if needed, approached with caution.
- Don’t make your routines noticeable, this will make you an easy target because they can predict when you won’t be home and then take your stuff.
Threats After The Grid Goes Down
Threat #4 Marauders
Now don’t expect some greased up motorcycle riding bandits that wear tire clothes and have wild hair. That would make life too easy if all the bad guys were that easy to spot. No when the grid goes down we’ll all be cautious, and the marauders often more so to hide their intentions.
A marauder doesn’t always have to be someone who comes in guns blazing, a more biblical approach is what should be expected. They’ll appear weak and defenseless, left by their friends and starving alone. Then when you let your guard down they’ll take all you’ve got.
How To Avoid
- Any new comers to your group should be extensively vetted for signs of untrustworthiness. It would be a good idea to have “morality tests” in place to find out the true colors of the new comer in situations where they feel no one’s watching.
- Don’t accept newcomers to your group, this may be harsh but it will keep you safe. Be careful though, if you hurt someone’s feelings in a lawless world there’s not much to stop them from seeking an apology in the middle of the night…
Threat #5 Insurrections Within The Group
Let’s face it, no one will ever be the perfect leader, and there will always be someone who either thinks they can do it better or just wants the power. Either way, there are bound to be times when your leadership is questioned and the possibility of an insurrection emanates.
Now this decreases a bit if you’re traveling with family. The dynamics of a household that was brought up for this exact scenario will keep their cool a lot better than a suburban family that’s had all they’ve worked so hard for stripped away in a matter of days. It’s these people that will likely turn on each other in a desperate attempt to regain some sense of getting back to what was normalcy.
How To Avoid
- Start working with your family now to lay down the laws of how things will be, and set systems in place that provide justice within the group. As well there needs to be checks and balances, a dictatorship isn’t any fun.
- Make a decision that if you bring strangers into your fold that they know that it’s your way or the highway.
Threat #6 The Governors
This is a Hollywood term given to people who might build a colony or safe haven that “rescues” travelers. But instead of rescuing them, they’re relieved of their lives and supplies for the good of the colony.
This idea was made popular in the tv show “The Walking Dead”. And to be honest it’s something that many have considered a negative likelihood for the post SHTF times. And you need to know how to deal with it so that you can properly take care of your family.
How To Avoid
- Avoid going into situations like these all together, true there may be some camps that are good, but you only get one chance to make the wrong mistake.
- If you stumble upon one of these camps take time to observe it from a distance, note if newcomers are made a part of the community or if just what they brought makes it to the community.
Conclusion
I hope this has been a learning experience for you, and while this is a pretty heavy and somewhat depressing subject to talk about, I’m glad that you’re taking the time to learn about the dangers we’re facing now and in the future! With this knowledge I hope you use it to guard your family closely.
If you liked this article, please feel free to come visit us as well over at survivethewild.net. Thank you, Chris for your generosity in letting us come and spend time with your amazing readers.
Your Thoughts
Do you discuss your prepping efforts with your neighbors and friends? How do you decide who to tell about your survival preps? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, thanks!
This is one of the most important prep articles I’ve read to date…and I’ve read thousands of them over the years. Thanks for your excellent info. Definitely worth sharing.
Glad to hear you found the article useful Mophead and please do share it far and wide!
Chris
I am skeptical of the viability of any post-SHTF neighborhood group, for the agreements that formed the group pre-SHTF will be voided by the terrible realities faced by the members after the world goes down. Each person will be suddenly made aware of awful facts that will overide group agreements. If I stored more food than you did, then my family will be able to live longer than yours. I’m not going to voluntarily give you some of my stored food at the expense of my family’s mortality!
Any group agreement will quickly fall apart post-SHTF. The Bible provides good guidance here, In Jesus’s PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS (Matthew 25).Matthew
Chapter 25
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Note that this wisdom came to us directly from Christ Himself! His counsel was that – if you are so foolish as to forget oil for you lamp, your friend is NOT required to “share” his oil with you. Because, after sharing, there may not be enough oil for both of you. Therefore, both will perish, instead of only one. It’s from the Bible, and that’s good enough for me! I’m going it alone!
Thanks Wiseman for the analysis and reference. I guess it depends on who your neighbors are and how much trust you put in them.
Chris
Christ did not share that wisdom. That was written by Matthew.
I like your use of Jesus’ parable of the virgins! You’re to be commended for knowing the Bible well enough to use that.
I started thinking about prepping when certain billionaires wants to stop my muslim friends and family from coming into this country. You know the one who’s running for President. I’m afraid that this man will be the cause of another world war and that’s something I don’t want. So I’m prepping now just in case of a society breakdown or world disaster.
I’m very impressed with this article; very informative. So thanks for the info 🙂
Thanks for the input Jade, there are as many reasons to prep as there are people out there and yours is as valid as any of them. Good luck prepping.
Chris
I’d be less concerned about any single person in power if I were you. History has shown that there are (relatively) few leaders in the free world who yield the kind of power you’re suggesting. The President of the US must first gain approval from Congress before starting a war. The President of the USA cannot make laws, that is the purview of Congress as well.
Concern yourself with the money-grabbers who yield great power…lobbyists, bankers, lawyers and politicians who can bury you with their lawsuits, etc.
If you believe in God, trust Him to take care of you when calamity strikes.
Another world war is inevitable…the Bible says lots about wars and rumors of wars. Time invested in praying for your president, the Congress, your state representatives, your mayors and council members, your neighbors, and your family is time well spent.
Do what you can, and trust God to take care of the rest. Realize that “in this world you will have tribulation,” that is a “given.” Listen to that inner voice that tells you to prepare for the worst and then hope for the best.
Take care of your family first and don’t expect the government to be of any help…in fact, expect the government (and those relying on government who do not prepare for themselves) to be a major source of conflict
There are just so many things that can cause civil unrest you are right, you cannot focus on just one. It is best that we are all generally prepared to deal with any emergency and then adapt and improvise as the situation requires.
Chris
If you believe in God, trust Him to take care of you when calamity strikes.
Tell that to the millions who died in wars and see what response you get
already been there. been homeless before. Id say thats pretty calamitic. And God been there feeding me what I need.
keep in mind, had Noah not built an Ark, he’d die.
not to say thats whats always happening. but a Christian shouldnt fear death. when its our time, its our time. God doesnt promise youll live through this life. in fact, Jesus said that we will recieve worse than what he did. the hope is that while we are alive and on this earth, we’ve done everything we could to live by what we believe and help who we were able to help. which is different for many people. you help no one by starving yourself to death, and the Bible makes it clear that family comes 1st. Jesus even says youre worse than an unbeliever if you dont. especially immediate. thats why a Christian prepps.
Book of Eli is actually a good representation of what Im talking about. He survived everything until his job on earth was done. its about not wasting ones life. thats the hope.
Thanks, this was quite encouraging… God bless your Heart for this post.
Interesting how that never came to pass. More interesting still is that you/the writer missed the whole point of the parable: I have no obligation to let you in! Rise up against your own tormenters. Don’t expect to run away and ask for me to do it. That is the point.
Some spiritual beliving is a VITAL part for every prepper.belive in whatever helps you.But NEVER EVER Made believe a part of alGroup After shtf.all hell breaks loose if desperate people of different believes living close together.
Not sure the individual reasons each of us are drawn to this resource but I witnessed first hand, the desperation of people after hurricane Michael: looting, theft, etc. It was not only surreal but eye opening. I live in a nice neighborhood and it was horrific to see those less fortunate than me literally invade our neighborhood seeking not just provisions to survive but to simply steal what they wanted. It was as if the storm gave them permission. I say from first hand knowledge, my guns were a lifesaving resource and not just prepping ahead with buying sustainable items, but prepping ahead to practice living from my “ new norm” kept me sane and self supporting until the electric, law enforcement, water services were restored over a month later. To all the naysayers, disasters happen- pick one: tornado, hurricane, etc.
Pay attention to this stuff. This is all happening in November 2020. You have about 90 days to prepare. Brace yourselves.
This scripture was speaking about living a christian life. Going to church but not living a Christ like life.
Only the spiritualy blind cannot see what is going on in the world today. Do not water down the bible for your own situation, read it and follow the will of God. With that you will protect your own. The enemy comes in many different ways, political, false prophets and so on.
Prepare today for what might happen tomorrow. If done properly nothing you gather will go to waste..