Showing posts with label Security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Security. Show all posts

Friday, December 30, 2022

Prepper Vehicle Supplies

 Most survival scenarios are solo or small groups, short term, with only what you carry with you, also know as your EDC or Every Day Carry items which may at times include what you have in pocket or in your car, suggesting you should have your car well supplied.

Reading this, you may be interested in what is probably the Best Prepper Transportation.  Below are some links you may find worth reviewing. 

  1. Best Prepper Transportation

  2. Prepper Livestock - Horse

  3. Best Prepper Retreat

  4. Red flag warnings its time to Bug Out

For our discussion here, we will presume that you have a car or truck like most people and we are looking at more common survival scenarios.

What to carry in your car

  1. Ethanol Free Fuel (EFF) -Gasoline- enough to get home. Never run below 1/4.
  2. Siphon Hose for borrowing gas when stranded.
  3. Jumper cables, and/or charged Jump Starter, large or small, both can serve as a phone charger with the appropriate charging cable(s).
  4. Case of bottled water (rotated every year)
  5. Water filter 
  6. Stainless steel water bottle
  7. 2 Qt Pot to cook and boil water in
  8. Fire Building materials
  9. Rifle with military ammo can full of the appropriate caliber(s).
  10. Back Pack 
  11. Machete & Hunting Knife
  12. Water proof poncho or tarp for shelter
  13. First Aid Kit
  14. Long shelf life snack foods like beef jerky, granola, raisins or canned goods
  15. Cell Phone, solar charger & water proof case; power off when not needed
  16. MURS Radio and solar charger for communications
  17. Motion Detecting, Solar Powered Lights &/or Alarms for Intruder Detection
  18. Fishing - net, line & lots of hooks; extra line for security trip wires
  19. A Thermal Scope will give you superior night vision for night travel
  20. A regional Map for Survival or Atlas, plastic coated or in a freezer bag for navigation, along with a compass.
  21. Coats, blankets to stay dry and warm or even a Power Outage Heater
  22. Also carry basic EDC Survival items on your person like a pocket knife.

Know when it is time to get home with our Bug Out Red Flag Warning Signs.

What you carry in your car can make a huge difference, so plan ahead.  Sound crazy?  Think of it as potentially life saving insurance.

For more information visit our related links below: 
 
Alone Season 1 Pack List
Alone Season 2 Pack List
Alone Season 3 Pack List
Alone Season 4 Pack List
 

Survival Pack (Security Patrol or Bug Out pack)  
Greenbriar (catbriar) 
Top 10 List of Prepper info
Top Rated Prepper Handbook Posts of all time
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Or click on a label below for similar topics.

     

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

High Rise Apartment Security

 

If you have badly needed supplies, expect veterans with military skills to be trying to take them.

Have 2 guards at each watch point at all times that change randomly.

Have bowls to draw for shift lengths daily, so shifts change randomly and are not easy to predict. The Dark Outlook could become a reality.

 

First Step - Know the building floor plan, and all possible entry points in order to secure them. Building maintenance and long-term residents can provide great insight on this.

  1. Front Door
  2. Back Door
  3. Fire Escape Doors, ladders, etc.
  4.  Parking Garage Door 
  5. Elevators
  6. Stairs
  7. Windows
  8. Receiving Door
  9. Basement Door
  10. Roof Entry

Most likely your entry points will be all you need to watch but also have a Rapid Deployment Team just in case a roving gang or homeless group is trying to break in. In most cases, seeing several armed Guards, will deter them from advancing any further. 

As an extra precaution, you might include a few strategic long distance vantage points for early warnings to see things like this (gangs) coming. But more complex security may become necessary, so it is good to know how to develop and implement a plan. Be sure to put needed security measures in place before it is too late.

 

Step Two - develop a written building Security Plan, with other trusted, mature, (armed) residents, who will be known as the Security Leaders, except for a few, who will remain confidential Security Leaders.  They will discretely infiltrate the neighborhood to hear and report any concerns, objections or possible uprisings, that might put the building resident's safety at risk.  You never know how bad it might get, so plan for the worst.  With any Neighborhood Watch Plan, diplomacy & democracy is critical, and it is good to partner with other buildings in your area.

 

MEMBERS PLAN

The plan should include different versions.   A Members Version that you plan to share with all residents in a time of crisis, so have sufficient copies printed in advance.  This version should include limited details, such that copies falling into the wrong hands will not be devastating.  You might issue one copy per floor, clearly identified, possibly with a large watermark ("FLOOR 2"), or a serial number, so any recovered copies can be traced to their source.  This will be primarily an introduction and a sign-up sheet.

On this Members Version, let the members know that:  "We need a security plan to protect us, and your assistance will be important.  The plan should include a 24-7 security watch to help achieve our objective, which is to ensure the building residents are safe.

"All able-bodied adults will be asked to assist.

It is probably best to read this to the members at a security meeting, before passing out copies

Advise any who express objections, that "Your participation may be nothing more than watching the street from your window" (which would be a strategic vantage point like a corner apartment might offer), ... "or sitting on the Lobby Sofa & alerting us if anyone tries to get in."  If they continue to object, advise that .... "We won't ask anyone to do something they can't do" ... and move on.  If they don't see a need for security, advise "we respect your opinion, but that cannot stop those of us who feel that having security is important.... after all, it's better to have one and not need it, than to need one and not have it." ... and move on. Your Confidential Security Leaders should identify these objectors and arranged to talk with them further after the meeting to determine how strong their objections are & if they represent a threat, or may call the law.

"Points of entry will be watched to ensure the safety of everyone and we will call 911 if anyone threatens our safety."  

"Now I'd like to open the floor to questions, after which we will ask for a volunteer from each floor to be the Floor Leader.  Their job will be to listen to the concerns of the floor residents and help address them. If there are more than one volunteers from a floor, the floor residents will vote for them confidentially via a secret ballot.  But first let's answer some questions.

Open the floor to questions, answer a few generically, disclosing only what you have said above, and that: "The Floor Leaders will be involved in the decision process of what and how we do things.  We won't know what all that will include until the floor leaders meet.

"If the vote is to not have a security plan/team, then so be it.  I'm well-armed and can protect my place.  This was really an effort to protect the others and our building." Then pass out the Members Plan / Volunteer Signup sheet to list their name, apartment number & optional phone number (nothing else).  You may also consider individual floors having security, and others not having it.  You can publish a list of floors that have security guards.  When the uncooperative floors see this, they may decide to join; if so, be careful / reluctant to accept what could prove to be trouble makers.  A small team is better than a larger cancerous team.

Ideally you have already identified and asked someone you trust from each floor to volunteer.  

Select the Floor Leaders and move on to a smaller scale meeting.  Any further questions, will be answered by the Floor Leaders, after we meet and figure out the details. 

Your Floor Leader meeting will be to re-emphasize there is NO Hidden Agenda.  The only objective is to ensure the safety of the building residents.  CAN WE AGREE ON THIS?  It is okay if we disagree on the best way to do this, but as reasonable people, we should be able to come up with a plan that we can ALL Support as a team.... even if we individually thought there was a better way.  We can always fine tune it as needed.

Our goal at this meeting is not to make a plan, but rather to agree on this.   After which we will go meet with the residents of our floors, hear their concerns, and then meet again to develop a plan that meets our objective and that considers their concerns.  I'd like to schedule this planning meeting at:.. Day / Time / Place.


Four (4) Look Outs at building corners can see approaching activity from a long distance. 

On a building this size, you could have two at each corner if risk was high, and still have residents only watching a few hours per week.

Have four bowls, one for each corner, with a number for each floor to randomly draw who works the next shift.  Once drawn, your name/number doesn’t go back in the bowl for X days.

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL PLAN:

Your Confidential Version(s) will include critical, highly confidential, security details that are not shared in its entirety.  Only limited, need to know, details are shared as needed to develop and execute the plan.  Do not even show them to the Floor Leaders.  So, let's talk about what our plan should include:

  1. Several Teams:  Command Post (Base); Guard Posts, Listening Posts, Rapid Deployment, Scouts, and Support Teams.
  2. Watch the surrounding area from a high vantage point Guard Post, so you can see what is coming for a long way.  This might be from the corner of a parking garage where you can see up and down two streets, in both directions.  It might include looking out windows of a corner apartment, or from the roof, or a combination of these.  You need to be watching all avenues of approach to see if Rioters / Looters are approaching.  Work in pairs, and change the pairings every few days.   A parking garage floor, just below the top one, gives you cover (vs just concealment), from shooters above in higher buildings.
  3. Randomize all guard details so they are not predictable.  The biggest weakness of any security plan is predictability.  Have layered security with backups to support the front-line security personnel, or cover for them during a retreat.
  4. While cell phones may work, it is good to have radios for communication.  They make good Christmas Gifts.  The number needed will depend on the size and complexity of the building being secured.  I would say that 6 to 50 might be required.  You will need one for each Guard Post, with two guards, one for the Command Post, then possibly three for the Rapid Deployment Team, two for a Scout Team and a few extras.
  5. Have some means for Intruder Detection.  It may be security cameras with someone watching them (Command Post), motion detectors, trip wires, or motion detecting lights in hall ways, stair ways, around the facility and near entrance ways.  Having dogs on the ground floor running the hall ways, or stairways may be a good idea.  Allow residents with manageable dogs to have them at their Guard Post or Scout Team, except at Listening Posts.
  6. Secure the elevators, so they are not accessible on floors that would be easy to breech. If under attack, stop them from running, unless temporarily released and supervised by security at both the pickup floor and drop off floor.  
  7. Building entry may be limited to existing residents for security purposes, depending on how severe the threat is outside. Permitting any new people to enter poses a risk to all residents. Keep a list and photo of any who are allowed to enter / stay, and maybe even residents who will be in the building.  Any people inside or seeking entry who are not recognized should be photographed, questioned and their residence confirmed by sending their picture to the Command Post.
  8. Have a Rapid Deployment Team that can respond to security alerts, but never send more than 1/3, because it could be a decoy.  In fact, it may be good to send another 1/3 to the opposite side where a sneak attack is most likely to occur after a diversion. 
  9. Have Guard Posts at strategic locations that provide security without stressing your available resources.  This may include entry points strategic and vantage points.  Locations within sight of each other and that can help guard each other are ideal.
  10. Have a Listening Post at locations where you can hear what is going on.  This usually is a hidden position near where heavy foot traffic occurs, but could simply be hanging out at a bus or rail station, city park, corner store or any place nearby where people gather and talk.  Your people doing this, should dress appropriately and not allow outsiders to connect them with your building.  Ideally don't let them connect you with a team mate who is also present; It should appear that you two don't know each other, or are only acquaintances in time. Don't travel together, unless the risk from being alone is high.
  11. Glass doors & windows can be broken, especially on the first floor, but 2nd floor windows and those near other buildings could also be at risk.  If you were trying to break in, where might you try? 
  12. Audit and inspect your security system or the bad guys may do it for you.

Below is what the planned staffing might include on every shift, 6 shifts total, first, second and third shift, 3 days on, 4 days off, followed by four days on, 3 days off.

  1. Two guards at each Guard Post entry point; for our example, let's suppose we have two entry points, so 4 guards per shift with 2 radios required.
  2. Two (or 4) guards at each of 4 corners of the building looking out a window. 8 guards per shift with 4 radios required.
  3. One Rapid Deployment Team with 6 (minimum), 9, 12 or 15 guards, divisible by three, so they can deploy to threats in two places and still have reserve resources.  6 guards with 3 radios required, never in less than groups of 2 with 1 radio per group.  If this group is needed, having a radio is essential for each pair.
  4. One Scout Team of 4 for patrolling / scouting around the building in a diamond formation (see Security Drills).  4 guards, with 2 radios required, never in less than groups of 2 with 1 radio per group.
  5. Two guards at two Listening Posts, stationed randomly in different discrete areas around the building to hear people talking without being aware they are being heard.  4 guards, with 4 radios required.  1 Radio per person, since they are remote, we need redundancy in case batteries die, etc.
  6. Two guards at two random vantage points, like a parking garage, across the street, or some place they can see what is going on well.  4 guards with 4 radios.  1 Radio per person, since they are remote, we need redundancy in case batteries die, etc.
  7. Two Security Team Leaders at the Command Post. 2 guards with 2 radios required.  They may need to be communicating with two different groups simultaneously, hence 2 radios.  They should also keep the extra one, that can be deployed where/when needed via the support team.
  8. One Support Team to assist the other teams as needed.  Need 1 per 10 guards, with 1 radio each.  The Support Team will deliver supplies to the teams, give breaks, etc. but also serve to check their readiness.  If they can walk up to a team and not be seen, the team has just failed miserably.

Here are some example security teams:

Minimum Security, entry points only + 1 guard at a command post.  Total guards per shift = 5, with 3 radios.  Probably best to have 6 radios, three in use, and three on charging.  With 6 Shifts as above, this would require 30 Guard Volunteers.

Heavy Security guards per shift = 4 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 = 32 per shift + 3 support (1/10) for a total of 35 guards per shift in this example, with 24 radios (ideally) calculated as: 2+4+3+2+4+4+2+3.  With 6 Shifts, this would require 195 volunteers.  This seems like a lot, and it is, but if you partner with some neighboring buildings to form a Neighborhood Watch, you will secure a lot more area, share the burden, and have a larger, stronger defense team.  A risk of large teams, especially with unknown members, is that it is easier for an outsider to infiltrate your team, without anyone realizing it. Having some kind of Photo ID check system is advisable, and/or have everyone from each floor / building report to work at the same time, together to ensure they know each other.

Obviously, you must adjust this planning for your building needs which will likely be somewhere in between, and to have 24 radios in use, you need 25 to have a spare, with 25 available to use, and another 25 to be on charging. Area businesses may be willing to provide the radio's or supplies if you also help protect their businesses.

Ideally each guard will have a handgun, but that is unlikely. Priorities on Guns are given first to the Rapid Response Team, then one at each guard station. But no gun confiscations in any form or fashion. Then guns, as available to the Scout Team and other guard stations.  

In the early stage, concealed carry should be the only guns present.  You don't want your neighbors calling the police on you. Once stories of raiding gangs gets out and the police are over loaded, then open carry and ARs might be more acceptable, possibly even a welcome sight for some.  But think about this.  Two masked bandits have broken your home window and crawled in.  You see one has a gun, and one doesn't.  When your life is threatened, who will you shoot first?

Security Supplies

Having enough radios will be difficult, but okay if cell phones are working. Low cost Whistles can be helpful to communicate and call for help. Having enough guns will be a challenge, and if things stay bad for long, Ammo will run out.  So, a good question to ask now:  How much Ammo do I need?

In a worst-case scenario, there will be plenty of guns in the hands of dead people who ran out of Ammo.  Let's hope it never comes to this, but the point is that lots of Ammo is important.  A bow and arrows is an excellent stealthy weapon in the right hands; especially when the ammo runs out.

If we are shooting a gun, every 10 seconds... that is bang, thousand one, thousand two, thousand three, thousand four, thousand five, thousand six, thousand seven, thousand eight, thousand nine, thousand ten, bang.  

Hopefully you get the point that this is a very slow ammo usage rate, but over time it is a lot of ammo.  This is 6 shots per minute, 360 per hour, and 2,880 in an 8-hour shift.  

So, the question(s) now is how much ammo do you have, how long would it last at a low usage rate like this, and how much do you need to buy?

And there are other things that we need, like First Aid supplies including a trauma kit.  Other things to consider might be suggested by the Rule of 3 which says:

You can die in:

  1. 3 seconds without security;
  2. 3 minutes without air;
  3. 3 hours without shelter (in hostile weather);
  4. 3 days without water &
  5. 3 weeks without food.

Follow the blue links above (and below) for more information, especially about food and water which we haven't covered here.

Last but not least, know your local and state laws on self-defense.  In States without a Castle Doctrine, or Stand Your Ground rights, if a gang breaks into your home, you are legally obligated to retreat and let them have whatever they want. Apparently, some states respect the rights of criminals, more than they respect the rights of their citizens. 

 

For more information visit our related links below: 
 
 
Investing for Preppers (Financial Security)
Security Patrol Pack (or Bug Out pack) 






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Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Vote for the Prepper Handbook

The Prepper Handbook Blog is provided free to help families be prepared in the case of an Emergency, SHTF scenario or long term Sustainable Living.  If you enjoy our site, please take a moment to vote for us and see the other top Prepper Sites.



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Saturday, November 17, 2018

Home Security

FBI statistics indicate a home is robbed every 13 seconds and since not all police departments report their statistics to the FBI is is probably more frequent than that.   


The key to strong security is more than a good Security Plan, you must include regular assessment and testing of your security systems.  Any decent robbers will study your patterns for weaknesses and possibly even probe your security by approaching under some false pretense.  

Burglars do NOT like lights, loud sounds (like barking dogs) nor company.  They prefer dark, quite places to rob, preferably when no one is at home.  But what if a burglar doesn't realize that you are home, and quietly comes in while you are sleeping; would you detect an intruder?  Imagine waking to the sound of breaking glass.  What would you do? Do you own a gun for personal protection or home defense?

Predictability is the biggest weakness behind no security at all, or not having a good weapon. During hurricanes and modern day disasters, looters and gangs start rioting and robbing within the first 3 days. So being prepared is important.  The wealthier your neighborhood & more Modern your Home is, the more attractive target you are.

Here are some simple and affordable things you can buy that will help protect your home.

Outdoor solar powered lights can add highlights to your yard, and keep it lit up, even when the electricity is off for less than $6.50 each.  If you get the type that uses AA batteries, they can double as solar powered battery chargers.

Something as simple as motion lights or alarms or even a big dog bowl by the back door can deter burglars. 

Another good deterrent are light timers. They make it look like you are home, even when you are away. By plugging a timer in to a timer, you can add an element of randomness that prevents burglars from realizing you are really gone and just using a timer that is on/off at the same time each day.

If you can't afford a home security system add a good motion detecting game camera which will take pictures when movement is detected around your home. Some will send the pictures to your phone for $10/month.

In a serious event, city dwellers need a neighborhood watch plan while country folk have less neighbors to depend on but also less neighbors to pose a threat to your safety. But there will be mass hoards of people evacuating the cities when their food and water runs out.

For additional information see the following links:  
Blog Table of Contents

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Night Vision vs Thermal Vision
The Best Gun
Best Handgun Selection Criteria
The right amount of Ammo
Country Home Security Plan

Home Invasion Response Plan
Guns in plain sight
Intruder Detection
Riot Preparations
Double Barreled Defense

Modern Home Security
Sustainable City Survival
BB Gun
Top 5 Combat Rifles
Best Prepper Dog

Random Security
Modern Defensive Shotguns
Active Shooter
Top 10 AR-15s
Ballistic Tip AR Ammo

AR Optics
Best Survival Knife

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