Road Blocks, Check Points, in a SHTF Setting?

[tmttactical]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys.

The roadblock I am thinking of would materialize around a blind corner coming up. It would be two trees, each almost blocking the road so that a vehicle would have to drive to the far edge, then round the first trunk, then go back the same way to the opening at the second trunk. Both tunks would be cover and a shooter above and behind the roadblock would provide a crossfire if necessary.

But the ditch idea does sound good. Gangs would be the big problem and they would have plenty of looting experience by the time they reach me and probably think nothing of killing resistors. If this check point is not manned 24/7 why would foot traffic not just go around? There is no pot of gold up here, certainly nothing worth one of their lives but they may not understand this.

First you will not have the manpower to waste on sentry duty. Second as Jontte pointed out booby traps. Signal flares, noise makers, all serve the same purpose of a sentry. Third the signal flares located inside your property line, will announce that the bad guys are already checking out your place and not just walking down the road. Now take in human nature. The intruders will take the least path of resistance, the same as all animals. You don't break brush, when there is a clear path.

Make a natural looking impediment or have an old rusty looking raised cattle gate to block vehicle traffic. Foot traffic will not venture far from the road when scouting out unknown territory. Houses and structures visible from the roads will be investigated. Far out of sight and away from the road structures would be found by accident. Resident making too much noise, lights visible at night, those kinds of mistakes. Trip wire signal flares can be placed several miles up and down the road from you property. You will have plenty of advance warning and the bad guys will still now know where to look. Actual man power is going to be in short supply and in high demand, use it wisely.

 

[jontte]

it all comes down to man power as UP pointed, reliable dudes and dudettes will be in high demand.

 

[Proud Prepper]

Having signal type traps far from any defenses is best. Camouflage of your road, buildings etc.. is important. You want everyone to move past you. Fake and misleading signs can be used.

 

[jontte]

as I'm a city dweller and live on the 2nd floor with a balcony,there are some issues I have to consider, luckily I'm able ( if I have to ) cover both my outer door and my balcony from the same spot if needed.
and I can barricade my door,both the outer and inner in less than 5-7 mins,sure if some one is determind they can breach it,but it will take time and it will be noisy.

 

[grayghost668]

in the end if the SHTF I know that the only way to avoid the gangs is stealth,,,,which in my case is going deeper into the woods,,,this place is wild and large enough you could hide a Division here

 

[jontte]

there you have GG your man power,you just take command of that division

 

[tmttactical]

For those with balcony's, windows, or other view points, a home made periscope (cheap DIY project) is nice way to check for folks roaming about, without exposing yourself to unwanted attention. In WW1, troops in the trenches used these type of devices to spy on the. opposing troops. Sticking your head up above the trench invites a sniper to take target practice.

 

[Illini Warrior]

as I'm a city dweller and live on the 2nd floor with a balcony,there are some issues I have to consider, luckily I'm able ( if I have to ) cover both my outer door and my balcony from the same spot if needed.
and I can barricade my door,both the outer and inner in less than 5-7 mins,sure if some one is determind they can breach it,but it will take time and it will be noisy.

be careful of penetration from a common wall you have with an adjoining apartment or hallway >>> those ghetto rats do that all the time in the buildings they take over & habitat - even knock holes in the floors/ceilings to move up & down the building without using the stairways ....

 

[jontte]

luckily, they love to use concrete here, it's like building with lego,but on a larger scale

 

[KateMTx]

booby traps ?..silent,lethal,scary and demoralizing

I'm a huge fan of booby traps, especially ones that are equipped to alert you when they are tripped.

 

[Frostbite]

My retreat has vehicle access only via a rough bush track or across a vast open field and then over a shallow river crossing within clear view of my cabin. I could park a vehicle on the narrow bush track and remove the wheels, effectively blocking the track. Put the wheels back on and I can drive away. Any attempt to drag the vehicle out of the way would create enough noise to initiate an armed response. No overwatch required. Anyone attempting to cross the river in a vehicle would be seen from at least 1km out, giving time to initiate an armed response.

In the bush here in Oz the sound of an engine travels a very long distance. And despite what most people think, we haven't given up our guns. We still have access to guns and parts that are banned in some parts of the USA.

 

[Illini Warrior]

luckily, they love to use concrete here, it's like building with lego,but on a larger scale

and I'm talking concrete also - those old 1960s FED built low housing was solid concrete all 20+ floors - but when the gangs would take over a floor the entire thing would soon be honeycombed ....