James,
I have been looking at various posting all across the spectrum of prepping and I haven’t seen anyone mention being legal in their preparations. Here’s what brought this to mind. I recently purchased six rolls of brand new, never used razor wire. I’m not sure how many SurvivalBlog readers have military/police/corrections backgrounds. If you have fooled with the stuff, you know to be careful. If you haven’t, I’d suggest looking for something easier. I strung a single strand around my backyard on three sides, just below the level of the four foot tall chain link that surrounds my property. Anyone climbing over the fence would get a surprise if they weren’t careful. I’m a police officer in an adjoining town (from where I live) and the locals know me. A few days after completion of my project one of the uniforms was stopped at my house shooting the breeze and he says “you know you cant use that stuff on a fence less that six feet high?” Seems there are some obscure ordinances buried in the books that say just that. Even inside my fence like it is, I’m subject to fines and civil penalties (being sued by some miscreant who gets hung up on my side of the fence is plausible)
I removed the offending wire but the episode started me to thinking. When the authorities moved the old man off his property awhile back for “breaking too many regulations” I said that being off the grid may not be enough. How many of us have made preparations that could/would run us afoul of some local bureaucrat?How did that old man pop up on the radar of the local officials? What are the signs and tip-offs that they look for? Why would a Child Protective Services inspector ask about storing food in a home inspection interview? (Another story I saw recently.) Will it be getting worse in the upcoming days?
I did some digging and I found several “indicators” that the new breed of spies have been told to look for. Fences, security cameras, restricted access to property (other than fences) Beware of Dog signs (really, you actually set yourself up for a lawsuit by posting such a sign because it indicates you know your dog may bite), certain breeds of dogs (meth cookers love Pitbulls, but every time any sort of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is proposed about Pitbulls, after every liberal with zero knowledge about dogs is through adding his/her two cents worth, every large breed in the book is on the list) so they look also look for Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, etc) other signs such as “Never mind the Dog, Beware of Owner”, security bars and doors, and other things that seem so harmless and needed to many of us, especially nowadays. I got this information from a friend in our State Narcotics Agency who was describing how to spot a Clandestine Meth Lab. I told him “do you know you pretty much described my house?” He thought I was joking until I started pointing out the other uses those items may have. My talk with him in no way changed his mind on his List but the conversation really got to me.
Someone, somewhere, has taken the time to make a list of indicators of activity that most certainly will get someone who thinks like us onto a list of possible suspects. Our US Attorney General, in cahoots with the DHS, has already started a program to demonize anyone who doesn’t follow the Lemming Mentality, or thinks outside the box on issues. Is there any way to get around this problem? One way that I can think of is make darn sure our preparations are really hidden, not just veiled. As I mentioned above, a chance inspection by a busy-body Child Protective Services inspector, going what most would consider way beyond her authority, most certainly got that parent listed on some sort of roster of people to watch. Just for storing food, as our very own Government, her employer, recommends us to do. How many more of these “innocent” prying eyes are out there, watching and waiting to inform on someone? I cannot, in good conscience, recommend taking down whatever security preparations you might have made. I pass mine off as having made enemies in a long Law Enforcement career. I did make some changes in the way I have my stuff stored.
We are entering a new phase in the definition of Citizenship in this country and we are being bombarded every day with messages to “watch out” for suspicious activity and to inform on our neighbors. As innocent as prepping is, the act itself is on the way to being outlawed, or at least closely monitored. And being on one of those lists makes you a target for anyone wanting your stuff “for the greater good”. Now, even more than ever, we need to exercise the utmost caution. – Ed S.
JWR Replies: I agree that it is important to research your state and local laws. But in the absence of laws, don’t feel intimidated by social pressure, or those “Oh, but they might someday make it illegal” thoughts. We must remember that we are free men and women, and consequently act like it. This is not the time to cower and quiver. Yes, we should make substantive preparations, and be circumspect. It is great to stock up on concertina or razor wire. However, depending on where you live it probably isn’t wise to string it up until the Balloon Goes Up.
Lastly, keep in mind that the continuity of our rights is dependent on their regular exercise. I pointed this out in the closing chapter of my novel “Patriots”: Much like a muscle that atrophies with disuse, any right that goes unexercised for many years devolves into a privilege, and eventually can even be redefined as a crime. Open carry of firearms is prime example.