Roving Gangs - Counter Tactics?

[jimLE]

have the side facing the home on hinges.left the side facing the road come upward untill both ends are against post,like what we see in front of stores..and if needed..dig out the trench some,to make it even deeper...

 

[Cavemanjoe]

I think being rural is one of the best options, we are at almost the end of our rural road, only one more occupant after us and we can see anybody coming for at least 2 miles, I know all the vehicles that pass here and anything that don't belong here after shtf will be blown up if the situation demands? Its only me and my family that gets first chance to survive, when things calm down after a while we'll see what help we can give to our neighbors first?

 

[bigpaul]

maybe this is an American scenario, but I have never subscribed to the "roaming" scenario....not in Britain, the british aren't built that way and they don't have the brain cells for it, a few may wander but probably only a few miles on the outskirts of a city and will return home after their scavenging trips. most will sit tight "the government will save us".

 

[psalm 7]

The roving gang senario is post TEOTWAWKI where there is no reason for the unprepared to stay where they are no food deliveries , no law or Police , so these gangs would be the top preditors once a area has been plundered move on and look for other victims . My idea with dealing with them is to let them know that they get nothing from my area except casualties .

 

[bigpaul]

my problem with that is where do they think their going? wandering aimlessly just hoping to find food is not going to do them any good.

 

[Silent Earth]

Its amazing how a few petrol bombs and a bag of caltrops can be at persuading people to go and look for an easier target.

 

[bigpaul]

or just moving or removing the road signs

 

[Gazrok]

I don't think they'll roam aimlessly. Any successful group would be led by a fairly intelligent individual (or at least have intelligent advisers). Following the Interstate would be a fairly simple tactic, especially if there is an end destination in mind (and they can likely be sure of at least a few options for looting fuel along the way). Of course, eventually, fuel will run out, so such raiding would be limited in scope, range, and duration. Eventually the car batteries will die, etc. But, for those few months to a year, such gangs would pose a real threat, even to outlying communities.

or just moving or removing the road signs

And knocking over a few trees to block the roads, or some staged car wrecks, etc.

 

[Maverick]

besides, once food runs out in the cities I believe most gangs would shrink with many heading out solo, most if not all city gangs would have an hell of a time foraging for food out in rural areas further eroding gang size since food disbursements amongst its members would be limited causing animosity within its ranks, living off the highways or main roads between cities and towns are going to be targets from gangs and solo traveler's that's a given.

 

[jimLE]

and thats why it's a all around best idea to be in the boondocks or in the mountains where there's very little chance of someone showing up,if at all.

 

[bigpaul]

and that's another reason why I live where I do.

 

[Gazrok]

Unfortunately, I'm not too far off the Interstate, but enough to where I could block off access, deterring entry at least. And, our exit isn't too obvious. In fact, any taking it, are likely to head the opposite direction, as that's where the civizilation goes (restaurants, grocery store, leads into town). Heading our way, all you see are farms (which, if untended, would be big fields of dirt and weeds post SHTF).

 

[psalm 7]

These would be as I mentioned top preditors , agressive types some with leadership abilities . Some could be whats left of citie gangs . Some bands would be from rual areas already , they would pose a big threat to rual preppers as they know rual life style and what to look for . Im sure many of you know familys that are already simular to this . You dont want them anywhere around your Folks or Home . The kind you keep at arms length and let know not welcome . Then there would be the criminal type gangs some that did tilme togeather and are banded togeather just to make others thier victimes . Dumber but socialpathic type . And as Gaz mentioned the ones that are left from Military units that left thier units and took thier gear .
I saw some Vietnam area foot boobie traps that U.S Special forces would drop on trails and put around parimiters that were like very heavy gauge steel wire 3 strands twisted togeather in the middle then the ends bent and pointed in different dirctions so 1 at each end was always sticking up and very sharp . I have put togeather lots of SF and Ranger tricks from the Virtnam era that are low tech and very effective .

 

[bigpaul]

we're at least an hours drive, on a good day, from the end of the motorway and even if anyone got here after an event, which I seriously doubt, they would head into the town first(filling station, corner shop, bakers), we DONT live IN the town and any looting would be heard and we could be ready for them IF they came this way. or alternatively that would give us time to bug out.

 

[jimLE]

yeah..boobie traps of diffrent kinds is a big pluss..especily the ones that are low to no maintance at all...

 

[jimLE]

im 7 to 10 minutes from a small town..and 15 to 30 minutes from the bigger cities..and on a county road..but yet.just like others.it's still not safe enough after a shtf situation happens.partly because there's others living in the same area as me.pluss to many know this road i live on.city and country folks alike..so i'll be stuck bugging out when the time comes..

 

[psalm 7]

I will bug in unless absolutly not possible . The gangs are not willing to pay the ultimate price not knowing if the plunder is worth it . The main thing is to have a defence plan . If I did bug out I would become The Hunter of Gunmen and take back whats mine .

 

[bigpaul]

I'm still a bit perplexed as to why anyone would come in this direction, the place isn't well known outside of the local area.

 

[psalm 7]

A bunch with no way to feed them selfs and have preyed off everyone else in a area until they and other survivors have depleted the reasorces would have to move . And every pocket of sustanance they come across will become thier plunder . Every time they deplete a area they move on . Not aimless but calculated these are bad men and consist of all types that have decided to live off others . That M word I can never spell comes to mind ( Marauder ? ) . The leaders will be smart and only the ones with the stomach to live like that would be in the ranks .

 

[psalm 7]

Its not that they would want to but this would be post TEOTWAWKI . When all reasorces are gone its move on for thoses that are not prepared