“The folks parallel to a “refugee route” won’t be able to keep out robbers no matter what.”
The problem with many western States is that all the populations are concentrated into small areas. Take Denver, 2 million in population but all crammed together. We’ve got miles and miles of space all around us but everyone is huddled together. We’re renting a place about 2 miles off the freeway up over some bluffs, so hopefully we’ll have geographic protection but the entire metro area is still just around the corner. I am relying on the laziness of people in that they won’t walk the 17 miles we live South of Denver.
People might leave Greeley in droves if TSHTF, but that’s quite a distance from you. although if they came your way you’d probably be able to smell them from miles away...