Chilean Post-Quake Aftermath

[BillCA]

The February 8.8 quake in Chile unleashed a torrent of looting and criminal behavior.  The linked video shows a TVN 24 hour News story on the chaos that followed.  Some residents banded together, with and without firearms to defend themselves.

It's an enlightening view of the aftermath of a large disaster and how people react to it.  I think it's worth watching several times to understand what you'll need to organize.

Chilean Quake Aftermath

Notice that looters didn't confine their activities to just stores and businesses. They went after apartments and even people living in makeshift shantys.

[Daelith]

That video made me glad I revisited and took stock of my security supplies this week. I'm covered.

Need to revisit the other supplies too.

[HanzoSteel]

Power in numbers, something to think about when bugging in or out. Doing it alone leaves you outnumbered. Band together with people you trust and hold your ground because the unprepared will be coming.

[BillCA]

Yes, there will be those who are unprepared and we should have a plan to deal with them.

Obviously, dealing with one person or one small family is different than dealing with several dozen or several hundred. 

My "plan" is as follows;
1. organize self and neighbors to salvage/save as much as possible.
2. organize neighbors to assist our other neighbors who need help.
3. find needy neighbors who need contributions and share the burden to help them.
4. Assist local neighbors first - the unprepared can trade labor (cooking, washing, helping) for supplies.

There will always be a need to assist the "stray traveller" who was caught far from home in a situation they couln't prepare for [e.g. a business traveller or office worker 33 miles from home].  Minor assistance to them for free (a drink of water, candy bar, some soup, a safe place to sleep) and more help if they pitch in somehow (cooking, salvage work, aiding others, etc.)

No one gets a "handout" unless they can do something useful in return. Exceptions, of course, for small children (toddlers), the elderly/disabled, and the sick and injured.  The elderly can help watch children, give advice and help with smaller tasks. 

But I'll turn away any stramger who demands supplies or aid, any man who isn't willing to sweat to feed his family, or is simply too lazy to work for a meal.  Those who can't/won't follow orders will be forced to leave.

Theives, looters, thugs and other offenders will simply be shot.

[Paul]

I really like Bill's plan above, I have thought along those same lines.

I have neighbors who we get along with very well and who will work with us following an emergency.

[BillCA]

Unless forced to flee due to fire, toxics or some other danger, you're better off bugging-in, then building a local team with neighbors. 

A friend had a ranch down in Gilroy just before the Y2K scare. When we planned "just in case", we had our rules figured out. Anyone "escaping the city" disaster(s) and looking for shelter would be asked some questions.  #1 question is what kind of gun they had.  If none or they didn't like those icky things, we'd send them down the road.  #2 question was what skills or assets could they contribute. No skills or assets = burden. 

Someone asking for food for their child/children, sure. I'll feed your kids if we have spare food. But the adults get their food last, if any is available. Let's make sure the kids get the food.

Remember to show some compassion though. He had an insulated barn where overnight shelter from the cold or rain could be offered. The caveat was anyone causing trouble might see everyone evicted into the weather.