I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that in the event of a major or long term SHTF scenario, I’m going to need more people in my network. And by more people I mean more than just my family lol. The problem is I’m not sure the best way to go about finding like minded people that dont think I’m crazy, or are crazy themselves. I live in a smaller town (less than 1500) that is mainly a farming community with some housing editions with nice big expensive houses in them. We are also only about 10 minutes away from some very large cities (over 350k people) Do you guys have any thoughts on how I would go about finding other folks that think like we do?
While I tend to agree with the school of thought of having a group of people you could attempt to survive with, this is also the most reluctant part as how can you truly trust someone else with your family’s wellbeing other than yourself in a time of udder peril?
The Mormons and other religious groups seem to be able to band together in times of crisis and even plan for bad times. Various accounts from individuals who have survived real life ordeals (mostly war time) have reiterated the age old adage of “strength in numbers”. The part that gets me is I dislike most people I encounter much less trust them lol.
There are groups out there, but most of them are on the fringe or come off as plain kooky, and that’s not even the “militia” groups. Here is one that comes to mind:
Yeah I don’t like most people either lol.
Everyman for themselves :laugh:
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A friend and I were talking about this the other day. I live in a small 50-home subdivision that is fairly isolated but nobody knows anyone else. I know the neighbor on one side and that is it.
I told my friend I thought about just going out in the front yard with some yard tools, a bucket, and my Glock. Then, I’d just pop off about 10-12 rounds in the dirt, drop the gun in the bucket, and walk around acting like I’m looking to see where the shots came from while I watch to see who comes outside “ready for action”.
That’s the folks I want to go talk with… 
But I won’t…
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now thats funny there. I would be very careful in who you are willing to pull into your group. I would not tell people you are planning for SHTF unless you really trust them. Because when SHTF they are coming after you. They know you have what they need. You have been planning for this event. So just be careful how you go about finding people.
I actually thought about sending out a mass mailing pamphlet bringing up the subject and including a link to a web page where people would have to fill out some info including what resources they could add to the group etc. keep everything confidential until I can tell who I’d be interested in actually meeting with in person. This would be a lot of work but it would provide a ave of approach to this while allowing some anonymity.
I have thought about this and have not been able to come up with an answer. If your neighbors know chances are they will get pissed when you are eating and they are not(you might get attacked by a group of neighbors). Just like most things in this world when people screw up they want to blame everybody else.
But i do believe saftey in numbers.
It would be better to see who is peeking out the window. I would call someone an idiot if they just ran out the door with a gun when they dont know who is shooting. That first foot out the door could be your last if you don’t know what is going on (walking into an ambush… or leo just shot someone who went nuts and now some else comes running out with a gun, sound like a good way to start a case of mistaken identity. bad juju man)
The people who would just come running out would more than likely make shit decisions under stress and could get you laid down as well.
But I do assume you are joking.
The more people I meet the more I like my dogs. I do have a highschool friend I would trust my life to and while he is a rabid hunter and fisherman he is in few ways prepared for what wicked this way comes. I am blessed with 2 younger brothers that get it for the most part.
As far as gathering people for a group, I have met a M4C member at the range to trade some nylon gear and judging by the mans guns, gear and attitude I would invite him in my group after a few more range sessions.
You said you would set up a website, why? M4C is a good way to rule out crazies and dummies, search their posts, know what to look for, send them some PM’s and be dang careful.
I attempted this by meeting with a group here in Texas for one of their range sessions. And well I walked away after about 30 min of just observing their weapon handling “skills”, if it could be called that. Fudd didn’t describe what I witnessed. I wouldn’t trust those idiots with a stick for defense, let alone a firearm of any type. I have a group of solid buddies back in Kansas, but that would mean attempting a bug out all the way back there. I guess it would be an option if I had enough warning, but if things jumped off with little notice, it’s not very feasible. As already stated, the more people I encounter, the more I like my dog. That being said I have met with a couple of other members here who are solid, but we all agreed we would have to get to know each other better before any shtf plans could be made. Makes me wish I could have stayed in Kansas, but being an IT guy, the good IT jobs are down here in Texas at this time. I do wish yall the best of luck, and if you have a group already, I envy you.
Yep. If there were a way to come up with a group that wasn’t kooky or fringe then that would probably solve about 80% of the problems. The one group I found in my area I distanced myself from.
I think the most ideal situations would be the two as typified in Lights Out. One was a community / sub division built where all of the buyers in that development knew that it was “prepper” oriented. The other was a development where all of the neighbors were able to come together. What both appeared to have in common were fairly large home lots (2 to 5 acres each), as compared to 1/3 acre lots found in most subdivisions and good neighbors and leadership. One by design and the other by luck.
Good luck to any of us that can find such a place.
Get a dog and walk it regularly through your neighborhood. I found it’s a great way to get to know your neighbors. It transformed our neighborhood from a bunch of shut ins to where we now all hang out and have parties (networking events) all the time. A bit more expensive and time intensive way to do this is to have kids and have them play with the neighbors.
This is a fantasitc idea! Start a local blog, then meet on neutral ground like at a restaurant which often have smaller rooms for groups or similar. No last names & no addresses & no initial discussion of supplies until you get comfortable. In most communities people know their immediate neighbors to the left and to the right, and that’s it. Let people network and decide who they want to group with. You could even charge a membership fee ($20 or more) to cover cost, time & effort. This small fee also weeds out the looky-loo’s and gets you the serious preppers showing up. I see this having real potential possibly. Great idea! You really don’t even need the blog. Just meet. But a blog would be helpful on many levels. The constant contact will enable you to really peer into the persons personality. People drop their guard online and you get to see the real them would be one of my biggest reason for it. Otherwise everyone has their best foot forward if you meet irregularly.
Encourage blog usage. Set up an email address for RSVP’s. $20 at the door. Use your printer to print some membership cards, you sign them (first name only), laminate them for proof of membership for entry at future meetings. Simple & cheap enough (50 cents at most). Start with your immediate community first. See the response. Then maybe the community next door next etc. I have something you can use as a phamplet if you want just pm me. I might just do this but it needs some thought. I see some pitfalls which need to be avoided. You need to word it to avoid certain types right from the get go but even this needs to be done diplomatically so not to infuriate someone.
Of course in today’s litigious society a simple disclaimer and hold harmless agreement protecting you should be signed prior to entry. They can downlaod it and bring it signed to first meeting for entry at door with fee.
Along these lines is a post on survivalblog.com this morning
http://www.survivalblog.com/2012/01/social_cooperative_learning_th.html
I don’t personally believe in “groups”. Being an x-street cop I only trust my wife and a FEW cops that have proved themselves by standing by me in serious life/death situations.
However, if I wanted to associate with like-minded people I’d consider joining appropriate organizations where SOME would be likely to be like-minded.
For example: A local NRA rifle/pistol club, The Patriot Guard Riders, a fundalmentalist church, Veterans Organizations, A Tea Party group, etc.
For sure I’d avoid any and all radical groups & whackos.
I was thinking who is the biggest organized civilian group of prepers currently operating a cross the United States?
Mormons
While many consider Mormon faith to be of a cult nature I decided to check out a local group to see what they are all about. While I will not convert to their religious views I’M open to see what they have to say about prepping and survival in general.
I would start with your friends first.
Just depends on what one is possibly preparing for and how many a FEW cop friends are. If someone is preparing for yoru every day 3 day emergency or may even a little worse then a group not needed.
However,
If it’s ever TEOTWAWKI such as being nuked or EMP or similar event that causes a total meltdown, just remember gardening, and all the multitude of chores that will need to be done, taking security watch in shifts, reconnaissance missions, trips to town with sufficient manpower for protectuion once bartering ensues while leaving sufficient manpower home to protect & defend t he home front etc etc require manpower. No one can do it all. You have to sleep sometime. There is strength in numbers if you can put a small group together.
Jarhead
Yep, you are correct. In a Road Warrior World a group defense would be helpful. However, unless we get nuked, that scenario isn’t likely to happen. But…you never can tell?
Challenge: “M4Carbine”
Response: “Dot Net”
In the post SHTF world, if they answer your challenge with the correct response, they’re good to go. Otherwise break contact.