It is well-known that some people prioritize their own self-interest over others’ lives. People commit crimes of varying severity every day. When people become more desperate, crimes tend to become more frequent and severe. This is especially true in home invasions, when the invaders are often willing to hurt the occupants to get what they are looking for. This article will describe how to defend your home by utilizing a proactive approach, rather than trying to catch up to the attacker’s intent and capabilities.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s response, there has been mass unemployment around my town. Before my family began quarantining, we went to get some take-out from a local business. The owner made small talk with me while I waited for the food to come out. She and her husband owned three local restaurants, which had employed one hundred and six people. When I asked her how many they had to let go, her face dropped as she said eighty eight of her one hundred and six workers were now unemployed. I have heard similar stories all throughout my town.
This has contributed to the dramatic increase of violence. In my town alone, murders have nearly doubled, home invasions have gone up nearly 50%, and the number of rapes has skyrocketed. After reading these statistics, my family and I refined and rehearsed our home defense plan, and we can defend our home from varying degrees of intrusion and violence, ranging from trespassers to violent attacks. This is very much influenced by my military experience, and I hope this article helps others prepare their families to defend their homes and feel more secure when SHTF.
Before I begin, it is necessary to describe this approach to home security. Most people rely on an almost entirely reactive approach; the intruder chooses the time, you react and hope to repel or kill the intruder. I respectfully disagree; there is so much you can do to anticipate and prepare for intruders, it would be negligent to just sit idly and wait. While the intruder chooses the time, you choose the place. You can prepare the setting to deny avenues of approach for unwanted visitors, while creating covered and concealed positions for you and your family. You can prepare your family with a host of skills that allow them to hide or defend themselves as necessary. Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Layers of Security
When defending a home, there are four separate areas to be considered. Please see Figure 1 below for a visual depiction. Area Four is outside your property (green), Area Three is inside the property lines (yellow), Area Two is inside the home (orange), and Area One is the most defendable room (blue). Together in a home defense, they become layers of defense that are much more formidable, and more likely to stay secure, when SHTF. I will explain each area, actions to be taken to secure them, and how to apply this layered defense to rural, suburban, and urban situations. Because many metropolitans, including myself, live in apartments, I will especially apply home defense in urban situations to apartment living.
Area Four
Area Four consists of anywhere outside of your property line. You decide how far to set as Area Four in your defense plan based on the terrain and your ability to monitor and defend the area. In rural areas, I would recommend designating as far as your line of sight is, minimum 100 meters past your property line, as Area Four. In suburban areas, I would recommend your entire neighborhood. In urban areas, I would recommend your block or apartment complex and parking lot. The key to Area Four is surveillance and early warning.
For any intruder to enter your home, he or she would have to first get inside the yard. Many people would ignore anywhere outside of their property, however this area can save you precious time as you anticipate and prepare for intruders. Area Four is the first line of defense, and it must be taken seriously in order to create a well-layered defense.
The goal in this area is to identify potential intruders and any other information about them. I would look for: activity, numbers, clothes they are wearing, weapons or equipment they are carrying, and patterns. Some questions you may want to ask yourself include: What are they doing? How many people are there? Are they wearing any clothing that identifies them? What weapons or equipment do they have? Do they have firearms? Do they have breaching equipment? If they have binoculars and are reconnoitering your area, you will definitely want to find out why and if you are at risk.
Identifying this information as early as possible is crucial, as it will allow you to prepare for any potential threats and immediately take action. It is essentially an early warning system. While others wait for potential intruders to get inside their property before taking action, this philosophy requires you to take initiative and find information as soon as possible. I must caution, however, against becoming paranoid or over-investing time or energy in this. Especially in an urban environment, there are so many people that are walking around that you can easily exhaust yourself. This is entirely dependent on the situation. If you are relatively secure in your area and your street is operating as it normally is, then you should only use sound as your monitoring system. For instance, hearing screaming or gunshots would be an indicator to activate your defense. However, when the SHTF and there are marauders roaming your streets, then you must use all your capabilities to monitor Area Four, including: line of sight, drones, and patrols. The rest of this section assumes that you are in a situation in which SHTF.
Line of sight allows you to stay in a protected place in your home and observe activity in Area Four safely. It is a great activity for a sentry. Depending on the terrain, it can be very effective or completely useless. The more open the terrain, the better for line of sight observation. Obviously this will be almost entirely ineffective in an apartment.
Drones are another way to gather intelligence to cover Area Four. While we cannot always rely on technology being available, or even still working, in TEOTWAWKI, we should prepare to use technology if possible. Drones are great for surveillance because they do not require you to expose yourself. They can go higher – and thus get a better view of Area Four – and identify key information before you need to ever expose yourself. This works great in all terrain, as it can cover an entire apartment complex or vast, open terrain very quickly and effectively.
However, neither line of sight observation nor drones are as important as patrols. While it is risky to leave your property, you must patrol Area Four often and at unpredictable times. This allows you to make contact with your neighbors or other people who are in the area, identify potential avenues of approach for intruders, and identify dead space in and around Area Four. If you do not patrol often, you run the risk of being attacked by prepared forces that can easily overrun your home.
If you have enough people to guard your home, you must patrol Area Four. Patrols should have at least two people, as you are more vulnerable alone. Each patroller should be armed, but not so much as to draw unnecessary attention to yourself. For instance, in an urban environment where most people do not have semiautomatic rifles, a group of people armed with AR-15s would draw a lot of attention. Perhaps a handgun and a hidden fighting knife would fare better in that environment. Patrol casually while having enough situational awareness to gain information you can bring back to your group. Everyone should know the route and have meet-up locations.in case you are separated.
If people are living nearby, it would be prudent to assess their capabilities. It might or might not be smart to make contact with them. You will have to assess the situation and listen to your gut before making that decision. One thing I do have to mention is that this should be for security only, not to take from them. We are survivors, not predators, and not marauders. Do not take from their apparent weakness or launch a preemptive strike because you feel threatened by them. Leave them alone, and move on with your patrol. Assess their capabilities, and if you feel it would be mutually beneficial, establish contact with them.
Avenues of approach are a general path intruders would take to get into your home. Usually it is the most covered and concealed route. Identifying these avenues of approach early on allows you to plan for them and put special emphasis on securing the areas in and around them. Posting an extra sentry to cover the avenue of approach that is most dangerous to you is a potential solution; so is getting rid of all cover or concealment that makes that avenue of approach a viable option. Patrolling Area Four allows you to seize the initiative and deny intruders the opportunity to get the jump on you.
(To be continued tomorrow, in Part 2.)
“This has contributed to the dramatic increase of violence. In my town alone, murders have nearly doubled, home invasions have gone up nearly 50%, and the number of rapes has skyrocketed.”
Your experience seems to be an exception. If most people either work from home or have been laid off due to Covid, then home invasions would be a fool’s errand.
Rapes have skyrocketed? During a pandemic? Even criminals would be concerned to catch the Covid, and why are so many woman in your area all of a sudden in a situation, alone, to be raped? During a pandemic? Really?
What town or general area do you live in? Sounds like Mad Max. Have you considered leaving as your first line of defense?
Muddykid a lot of the increase in rapes is coming form the increase in domestic violence due to being at home during the covid. It unfortunately is not the exception and is/was a worldwide issue. Doubling may not be saying much in numbers depending on the population. 2 might have gone to 4 which is still too many.
The homicides went up due to the criminal element thinking (perhaps correctly) that all or many deaths were listed as covid even with a bullet to the head and that there were little to no investigations during the height of the lockdown and autopsies with evidence basically went away in some areas.
Ah, critical thought with my morning coffee and survival. Thanks Matt!!
These sort of details are useful.
Muddykid,
I live in an area with a high income divide. Those that have money are often subjected to home invasions and robberies. My town also has a lot of racial tension, and this has been dramatically exacerbated due to recent events.
No, home invasions are not fools errands. Now, criminals are just more desperate, and as such, more likely to use violence to get what they want. And no, the vast majority of rapists do not believe that the risk of COVID-19 outweighs their desire for power and sexual release. Women, especially single mothers (which there are many), still have to get groceries and run other errands. Many try to walk to save gas, as they are not making enough to make ends meet, especially due to being laid off. They are alone and easy pickings, particularly during a pandemic.
Due to our relative close proximity to Atlanta, Georgia, police are hesitant to respond. There has always been lots of violence, ESPECIALLY rape, in my town. It has only increased in the past months. The last man to try to stop a gang rape in my town was beat and then shot 16 times, killing him before he could escape. This happened in a relatively good part of town, four minutes from my residence.
Please pray about relocating!
JWR,
We are moving by the end of the year. Looking forward to living someplace safer! My wife and I prayed a lot in reference as where to live next, and we are looking forward to living in Texas next!
Large dogs discourage criminal activity & make good alarms. Just got feed them. Or if you are high-tech, a motion activated barking dog recording. Multiple discouragement initiatives…. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 🙂
Jack2,
Great point to make! Thank you for commenting, I will definitely be adding a motion-activated barking dog recording as a deterrent and early-warning alarm.
When we were going on a lengthy vacation after moving to a new city, we put a Beware of Dog sign in the front window. Figured it might work since we hadn’t yet become acquainted with anyone. Don’t know if it might deter strangers intent on mayhem in a SHTF situation.
A cow moose with calf in the back yard is an effective HI deterrent. I had that last year. Now she’s moved on and I gotta come up with something else.
Thank you, TZ! Security is an important topic, and one we often see discussed among readers of the SB.
Just last night several news outlets posted reports of a walk-out or call-out by officers in multiple Atlanta police zones. We’re tracking for updates and more information about this today. If true, we may see this occur in other places. It’s definitely a source of public safety concern.
We would also offer some words of caution… Be sure you know the law that governs whatever activity you intend to engage in, and that you’re operating well within the law. It’s probably also a good idea to include consultation, guidance and training from local law enforcement for any neighborhood watch-style efforts.
Our own security strategies include a rural location, security signage, multiple gates, recorded video surveillance, motion sensor lights, multiple sound alerts that let us know if a vehicle is approaching and have sound differentiation for distance, radio communications among family members, internet and phone messaging to our nearest neighbors, 911 service, and our own firearms. We have had very large dogs in the past, and may have them again in the future.
We share this to help generate ideas for others who may be contemplating options, and look forward to the thoughts of others as we continue to develop security here too!
Remain steady. Be safe. Stay well everyone!
Telesilla of Argos,
“Just last night several news outlets posted reports of a walk-out or call-out by officers in multiple Atlanta police zones. We’re tracking for updates and more information about this today. If true, we may see this occur in other places. It’s definitely a source of public safety concern. ”
Yes, this topic is the one I am currently most interested in. I am glad you mentioned it.
We listened to the dispatch radio for the area last night, and there was almost no voice activity. It was silent except for a couple very brief voice exchanges. As much as high radio traffic involving law enforcement raises its own concerns, there is something reassuring in knowing that someone is responding to the people who urgently need assistance. This was eerily quiet (and almost totally silent).
Hi Telesilla of Argos,
More sophisticated departments that receive huge grants from the Feds have several ways to communicate, and only need radio for when they are away from their patrol vehicle and need to contact dispatch during a traffic stop, and for emergency traffic. 95% of the information is text via Mobil Data Terminals (MDT). These are basically a laptop connected to a radio. Cell phones have also remove the dependence on radio. And many agencies have now gone to digital radio that traditional analogue receivers (scanners) hear, but cannot convert to voice.
Out here in the Redoubt, local law enforcement still uses analogue radio as they do not have Mobil Data Terminals. However, smart phones are used. These may reduce the need for Mobil Data Terminals. And some departments out here in ‘nowhere’, will used unpublished frequencies, or frequencies licensed by their county, but not designated as law enforcement. If one uses a scanner, sweep the VHF spectrum from 151 to 156.000 Mhz, and you may discover the county and city ‘back up’ channels currently in use. Border Patrol will occasionally use the old and now obscure analogue frequencies above 167.000 Mhz, even though the new P25 digital system is now well established. USFS still has their analog radio system in place (161 to 165.000 Mhz) as there are still lots of older hand held radios in the field that are used during large operations. They and local governments will use old Forest Service frequencies, and the old color coded frequencies in the business band part of the High VHF spectrum. The counties out here still have emergency plans that use these frequencies for fire and other disasters.
In my region, the USFS most used frequency for secondary traffic for reserve, or support personnel, including local fire departments during large fires is Red Dot, 151.625 Mhz. In the county plan, Silver Dot, Blue Dot, and other frequencies that are in the VHF Business Band, are also designated. As an example, the local Police Department is now using a business band frequency as their primary frequency that they may, or may not be licensed to use, that is Purple Dot. Their published frequency that is in the Emergency Services section should be, or is typically 155.000 to 156.000Mhz, is no longer in use. And the local Sheriff is using a frequency that is designated by the FCC for Public Safety/Government Interoperability. They have also used MURS, 154.940 Mhz without a tone.
The Federal Government has handed out billions in grants allowing local Sheriff’s to purchase helicopters, boats, armed S.W.A.T van, and sophisticated communications, including elaborate mobile dispatch centers house in tractor trailers. I once carried a $2,500.00, then the state, or the start of the art digital Motorola hand held radio.
With these grants, and promise of more, that help a Sheriff get reelected, these Sheriff Departments are enticed to accept the strings attached, and become indirectly Federalized. Their communications systems are designed to work with the Federal Government, and the Sheriff in the county I worked for, sends staff to become trained at the FBI, and provides facilities within the County for inter-agency training with the FBI.
If your Sheriff has not declared himself to be a Constitutional Sheriff, they are not necessarily your Sheriff, but a Sheriff that will cooperate with Federal agencies (all) that under the umbrella of DHS. Our young Sheriff recently lost a case in Montana’s State Supreme Court because he jailed a person at the request of Border Patrol, even though it was a civil matter, and not criminal offense. We therefore know that he not a Constitutional Sheriff, and his Deputies who lack training and experience will of course, will behave accordingly. A young Deputy in his thirties whom I spoke with recently, clearly did not grow up in a Christian home, and had a liberal mindset.
Correction, Radio Reference.com has now published that Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department has obtained a licence, and is now using 151.1332 with a tone of 79.9 for the northern part of the county. This is practically the same frequency, 151.1375 Mhz designated for Inter-agency operability. The southern part of the county is still 155.595 with a tone of 151.4.
Hello Tunnel Rabbit! The information, insights and perspectives are much appreciated. Thank you!
We share concerns about law enforcement, and understand that like all people and professions, there are troubled people and poor practices within the community. We have, as an example, a strong opposition to the use of civil forfeiture as a means of funding law enforcement activities. This practice is simply too vulnerable to corruption. …and this is just one area of concern.
At the same time, we recognize that responsible law enforcement governed by the Constitution is critical, and we thank every officer who dedicates his or her life to the work of protecting the public within the limits of and with great respect for the Constitution.
On a practical matter… We also wondered about the communications. Our own local LEOs use VHF radios in addition to other systems for communications (usually involving sensitive or especially volatile situations, or special operations).
It was interesting that the Atlanta PD referred to a code meaning that no officer was available to respond. During the time we were listening, it was one of just a couple of voice exchanges on what we believe would have been a busy frequency. Today the news reported that only 1 officer showed up for duty in Atlanta’s Zone 6. There is some suggestion that tonight will be a repeat.
We did also see a reference to a proposed officer strike over the 4th of July holiday. Believe this was related to the NYPD, but could easily expand to other areas.
A nearby small town with three officers was given a wheeled personnel carrier a couple years ago. The town only has a few hundred people. Needless to say, may were livid they had received such an item when there were a multitude of other things the department could have made better use of.
I can second and confirm what Tunnel Rabbit just said – we did the same thing and have the same to report.
I was discussing with friends how it’s difficult to find out how many officers walked off or didn’t report – Twitter was useful as real-time info to orient to the problem – and helpful but totally unconfirmed – and filled with a 50 to 1 ratio of junk to useful reports.
I listened for about 4 hours and can say with certainty things were very very quiet and eerie – enough cops and dispatchers were away as to cause a significant breakdown. Since wide spread crime did not erupt… we should hone and refine what we “think we know” about what will happen if police stand down to some large degree. For me – it is interesting reflect that with police on the streets during the riots – crime was terrible. Now in Atlanta, when some large portion pulled back …. we didn’t see huge problems… perhaps this shows that some x factor needs to also be included to prompt the crime to surge.
Two other things – I did hear a recording – so I’m not sure if it’s real – of the Atlanta police radio where “gang bangers” were firing at each other…. and two separate (officers?) hoped on the radio and said something like “let them be” or “let them go at it” or some such.
Last thing – WarriorPoet said today that he has friends in or in the outskirts of Atlanta who directly told him that they called 911 to report gunfire and such and that dispatch told them “there is nothing we can do about it” or about that.
Pray for the reformation of our Constitutional Republic.
The absence of news about what’s really happening within the APD is curious, concerning, and probably telling although it’s true — difficult to confirm.
Proposed 4th of July strikes among the NYPD officers are just around the corner too.
This will likely be a long, hot summer.
We join you in prayers for the reformation and recovery of our Constitutional Republic.
Telesilla of Argos,
Great points to make, thank you for sharing. I think it is crucial to train with law enforcement or get their guidance to ensure that we are working within the law. Excellent point, I wish I had explicitly added that to my article.
Hi TZ! Enjoyed and appreciated Part 1, and looking forward to Part 2! Thank you!!!
A sorely needed article. Security will be job one. I thank the author for sharing. I continue to learn.
Vets may be reluctant, yet the time to pass along hard earned experience and information is now, while the lights are still on. More lives and communities will survive as a result. It takes time for a civilian to break down their personal resistance to using violence to defend themselves. Our society has been spoiled after decades of good times, and brainwashed by the TV to avoid violence, and to be helpless victims and wards of the State. They no longer think actively about ways to defend themselves. It is a mental block in the mind that must be torn down, one bit at a time.
What starts in the spirit that controls our minds, can end up in our fists. We must turn farmers into warriors, least they will lose their farms.
Tunnel Rabbit,
Thank you for your comment. I agree, it is absolutely necessary to share experiences and tips of the trade to help communities survive in the future. I am grateful for forums like these that allow us to do so.
The mental block you mentioned is strong… really strong. People no longer think that danger lurks on every corner, and so violence becomes nearly inconceivable. The mental block that prohibits the use of violence means that people will not be able to protect themselves when SHTF. Quality, realistic training and talking through different scenarios helps people move past this.
Useful article but from the viewpoint of retired military and ex police the average American home is a no bullet resistance very flammable solid tent structure. Very few solid brick homes that will stop small arms fire for a little while. Wood and Vinyl siding burns all too well with a Molotov cocktail.
When I was an active police officer we had a gentleman we called Big Foot that would case the home, learn their schedules and walk up and simply kick the door in and steal their guns and jewelry. Seems he must have worked for a national brand name “Security” alarm system (all brands mostly alike BTW) and could bypass security systems pretty easily.
I hope tomorrows article will discuss hardening your home with better doors, longer screws into the homes structure NOT just the thin around the door fittings and quick fit HD wire screens to keep flaming items from crashing through your windows. If you think a Molotov is bad against your outside wall think about it INSIDE your home…. I’ve responded to this situation. BAD.
Michael,
I love your comment! I am currently active duty infantry, so my article was heavily influenced by my experiences in the military. Thank you for your service in the military and police.
Tomorrow’s article will discuss hardening your homes with external plywood shields on the windows, replacing the outside door locks so they fit the door and home better, deadbolts that are AT LEAST one inch thick, and other barricades to prevent entry.
No matter how strong the doors are, the locks are almost always the weakest link. Kicking in doors, as you already know, targets the weak/poor fitting lock. Therefore, I recommend solid doors without windows, and quality locks on the doors. There is nothing special about a door that will stop an intruder, but locks might. As always, obstacles will only slow down an enemy, and so it must be used in conjunction with other parts of the security plan to create a formidable defense.
I have never heard of a quick fit HD wire screen before. Please explain what it is and how to best use it, I may add it to my own home’s defense.
TZ quick fit heavy duty wire is simple, part of my Chaos Kit. You buy some 1″ X 2″ wire fencing, measure your windows cut a little oversized and PRE-Fit them on your windows before you remove them for storage pre-marked to what windows they fit. Also in the Chaos Kit is a fully charged cordless drill with extra batteries, bits and extra screws-wood because Mr. Murphy is a Bastard and you’ll lose or break your fasteners during hasty deployment.
I can go from “Normal Times” to secured windows in less than an hour (I tested the idea BTW). Dabs of white caulk will cover the screw holes and not stop you from deploying the wire.
Plywood is nice but I cannot see thought them to shoot when forced to. I also know plywood doesn’t stop anything better than wire. In fact when I tested wire covers Vs. Molotov’s wire often bounces it UNBROKEN away from the house while Plywood would break and burn.
Advanced Chaos Kit ideas are a heavy duty roll of BOTH Clear and Black Plastic as well as screening material to repair broken-destroyed windows and screens, as well as establishing black out as needed. In times of trouble don’t you want less bugs eating you when you need fresh air?
Those dog kennels they sell make excellent quick set up “Air Lock” protection for doors and sliding doors-French doors. Cannot use a battering ram on your door until they un screw those “Air Locks”.
Before this becomes an article think of other things you want at hand when Chaos occurs. Mine includes a first aid kit, slip on clothing and shoes so I don’t step on broken glass etc. Flashlights HEADLIGHTS (ever work one handed?)
Fire extinguishers deployed and ready an EXCELLENT quick weapon to put out a Hot Headed Person as I’ve used a small vehicle fire extinguisher to choke down and club an idiot once. Was easy to explain to the Police when I called them in for clean up.
Enough for now.
Michael,
Thank you for the idea! I’ll be making some for my windows soon! The reason why I like plywood is because it absorbs blows without being broken easily. I am not sure that wire would do the same. But super useful in stopping Molotov cocktails – I will definitely add that to my defenses.
The clear and black plastic is also a great idea.
How do you set up an air lock protection for doors? I have never heard of that before.
TZ take a look at chain link dog kennels. They are modular, They can be set up against a house and the house be that part of the wall keeping the dog inside giving them a larger kennel WITH a Door to the “Outside”. Can’t draw here but house wall with door, three sides of kennel strapped to house with kennel door being the new outside door.
If you use strapping and long screws into framework of home that kennel becomes like an airlock effect of needing to get past the first chain link kennel door before getting to the much weaker classic American solid front door.
Also as one that has run a police battering ram team that limited space makes battering rams harder to use properly. Or large strong people using body mass like Big Food did to kick doors in.
The same effect can be created by use of cattle panels (check your local Tractor Supply) a rigid form of fencing attached to existing porch posts. Do NOT use pound in green steel posts to support them as most of those are so weak that they fail to keep in cattle with out barbed wire and electricity and thus a pack of humans can simply tear them down. No fencing is stronger than it’s supporting posts.
Not much can we do to defend a flammable NON-bullet resistant American Home. But we can slow down the sneak thieves and club wielding thugs.
From my POV defending the typical American home from serious attackers requires interlocking fighting positions OUTSIDE of easy Molotov range of the home or better. OR a purpose build small arms proof fighting tower maybe built to look like a two story “Garden Shed”.
Castles and Viking Fortified Villages were built in an age when sudden violence was a real threat. They spent a HUGE amount of manpower, time and expense because being burned out or throat slit was a bad idea. Man power needed to FEED them so it was THAT Important to them. Months and years of hard work building defenses.
Today we have rental back hoes and chain saws that allow a few strong willed people to build a Hobbit Castle for 12+ people in a week of work IF they have the will. But we don’t want to leave our HBO and Wi-Fi to “Live in a hole in the ground”.
I wonder if that attitude will change when the neighbors house is aflame and they are killing the escaping victims? Will be a little late to rent a back hoe then I suppose.
I served in Bosnia during the Ethnic Cleansing aka Civil War as a Medic. I saw their families bunched up into the most defense-able home with garden and well AND their Homes were made mostly of stone and concrete with bricked up windows. They were armed with a variety of weapons from clubs, knives, WW2 Mausers and Soviet era AKs.
Bad times are nearly here. Preparing is heading to Hobson’s choice of take it or leave it.
I’ve watched a number of movies and TV series during this COVID quarantine that have to do with wartime experiences of civilians on various continents, including some foreign films with subtitles. I didn’t do it on purpose but it seems to have been something that caught my interest, and I’ve learned some things from the perspective of civilians living in dangerous times and places. It’s amazing how sheltered we have been in America since the end of WWII. We are so cocooned that it’s hard to believe how raw and cruel life can be, and how situations can turn on a dime. I don’t see the current climate improving any time soon. Still spending every available dollar on shelf-stable food preps, and encouraging my friends and neighbors to do the same. So very grateful for my relationship with Jesus Christ, my rock and anchor in desperate times.
This is so true, Didi!
From your post: “We are so cocooned that it’s hard to believe how raw and cruel life can be, and how situations can turn on a dime.”
We’ve been in more than one situation which turned down on a dime, and were extraordinarily dangerous. What is most telling about each of these is how innocent the circumstances began… Herein lies an important challenge to the ways we usually think about the world and consider its dangers.
TZ’s article and the conversations that have followed via the posts have been very, very helpful.