I’ve thought often about the “defensible neighborhood”, the trustworthy friends and family and found...I really have none.
First, very few people are willing or able or even care to accept that something beyond their control might happen that is bad and could distrupt their lives or logistics in any way.
Second, few have the money to care. They are broke, living paycheck to paycheck and any extra cash they have is for far more important things than preparing like going out to eat, iPhones for their kids and the latest DVD players.
Third, they are reason this country has gone to hell. They are lazy and think they’ll just rely on Uncle Sugar or someone else.
Fourth, there is no fourth, people just suck. They are lazy, uneducated, lazy, careless, lazy, thoughtless, lazy, and sometimes just plain ol’ stupid.
I suspect, and this is just my jaded view, that should anything happen, only then will we find who is with us and who will perish. We know the qualities we would need to see in others in order to accept them and the qualities we must not. People will shine us on and give us the warm and fuzzies but only when tested by real world events will we see just what they are made of, what they are willing to do to get through it all. I am tired of talk. I want to see some sweat. Put out or get out.
Gee, CodeToad. Might I suggest moving? Not every place is like that. There are lots of people in my area who are very poor, but they are resourceful, self-sufficient and hard-working. And they have the means to defend themselves and to survive for quite sometime without outside assistance. They don’t look purdy or act nice, because they don’t have to. Something to think about.
I think you and I would probably get along just fine - except for the fact that we’d hate each other because we’re both people. Let’s face it, you hit the nail on the head... people suck!
All that said, location is critical. You have a better chance in a culdesac subdivision in a nice area than along or parallel to a major route. The folks in the culdesac might adapt and cooperate. The folks parallel to a “refugee route” won’t be able to keep out robbers no matter what.