Re-evaluation of my BOL after 5 years - Part 1

**ZAGran** · 07-20-2012, 09:43 PM

Things have changed! I can't relocate (age and money) but I can beef up some of my security. And in keeping with OS names and distances will be out right lies or ommited.

1. Pro - Single lane low water bridge about 50 feet after turn off from maintained section line. You can see no houses from the turn off. Steep hill down to low water bridge and even steeper up the other side. Good place to put a barricade to keep people out. Most vehicles could not cross if bridge was blocked. Crossing creek on foot slow and difficult. Appears to be only one way in and out.
Con - Single lane low water bridge 50 feet after turn off from maintained section line. Good place to put a barricade to keep people in. Appears to be only one way in or out.

2. Pro - Little known and little used ‘cow track’ from another direction can be used for retreat or access to town if necessary. Access beside co-operating neighbor's property
Con - Little known or used access from another direction. Runs besides neighbor’s pasture would require watching as well. Neighbor’s sister is/was a druggie; she and boyfriend used this back way to steal from him 3 years ago. Who knows how many druggies now know about the back way in? Foreman for owner of land behind neighbor now frequently uses the one track road during haying season and winter to feed cows. Owner (from Dallas)has also began allow "special rich friends" to hunt on this property with foreman as guide. Although the road is gated at both ends, it is visible on Google maps as a viable road.

3. Pro - A row of trees 100 ft. from house shields it from the blind section line - It cannot be seen in the summer and you have to really look to see it during the winter. Exception is can be seen if go to end of blind section line and turn around.
Con - A row of trees 100 ft. from house blocks view of section line road from house. No one spot (unless roof top) gives unobstructed view. If someone comes in from the back house plainly visiable.

The list goes on.
Pro - The nearest small city is 30 miles away has a population of only 39,500 with about 8,000 people commuting each day. There are 8 main roads leading out of this city, only 2 come in my direction.
Con - The city is 53% white, 15% native American and the rest is mostly black, with some Hispanic and a sprinkling of mixed race, Asian and other. It has the highest crime rate percentage wise (and almost actual numbers) of any city of any size in the entire state with gang activity. Of the eight main roads comming out of this small city, one goes 20 miles before the first town. That town is the location of a correctional facility. (ain't nobody goin that way) Rated minimun security it has 982 male (avg age 48) & 783 female inmates (avg age 46) – rated min security = 46% violent offenders! Two other roads go toward to other small cities 25 and 30 miles away. One goes off as a connection to the interstate with nothing along it but fields and THE OTHER 2 COME IN MY DIRECTION.

Pro - It would take a determined person who does not know the area to make their way through the maze of blind, curving and barely kept unpaved section lines to get here,
Con - but between the druggies, the hunters and Google, not so safe as I thought.

Pro - There is an Army Reserve Armory and 2 small communities between me and the small town on the route the to the town closest to me.
Con - There is an Army Reserve Armory on the route to the route to the small town closest to me!

I am to depressed to go on. The past 5 years has brought a lot of hurt on my location.
When was the last time you checked distance to the nearest community, it's population, it's crime rate, new construction or use of local roads, checked Google, checked the location of all correctional facilities, work release centers and their population and security rating?

**RICHFL** · 07-20-2012, 11:56 PM

My group looked at department of census data to foretell what will happen over the next 10 years in our farming county. We have 15 percent paved roads, 80 percent gravel roads, and 5 percent private roads. In winter the country has 2 snow plows for all the roads so you get plowed once every 2 weeks. We live 15 miles from nearest village of less then 200 people. A large town is over 40 miles away.

The Census data indicated that they do not expect much change for our county, except if something changes the economic situation like North Dakota and their new oil fields.

This can be do this to any area of the country. They foretold that we would be in a recession by mid 2008. They were off by 6 months. That was from 2000 data. So before you purchase, or sell, look around and see what you might have in 10-20 years from now.

**ZAGran** · 07-22-2012, 01:20 AM

Checked the Census data like you suggested. The only change they expect is for the average age to go up. It is currently 38. Very young. No increase in population.

**coyotee** · 07-22-2012, 03:41 AM

Sure hope you aren't planning on polluting this site. It's a bit bothersome to me that you called this 'Part 1'. I, for one, have read enough, but do what you must I guess...

**ZAGran** · 07-22-2012, 09:37 PM

Sorry about the polluting bit. Feel free to not read any of my posts.

**Morgan101** · 07-23-2012, 08:33 AM

ZAGran there is no need to apologize. We can all find a common bond when you review your situation. I too am close to a correctional facility. I too plan on bugging in.

I think you are doing the right thing in constantly reviewing your situation, and making adjustments where needed. Keeping your plans updated, and being aware of the changes around you are excellent parts of the process. I'm sure your concerns are real, and beefing up security of your location is probably the best thing you can do.

**CountryGuy** · 07-23-2012, 09:21 PM

I agree. I think the post brings up a good point and is food for thought to check out. I know I have 2 fed prisons, max and a super max, one being about 10 miles away the other around 25. A lot of not very nice folks. Only good thing is 99% of the guards live in the area so don't see them opening the gates and saying go have a good time.

Coyotee not sure why the need to blast him for bringing up a good point to research what is in our area everyday that we might not think of. Kind of rude. By the way you'll note coyote has only 1 "e". I know, u knew that right, u were just being "ironic". But I see from your other posts this is your MO.

**Chefsimms** · 07-23-2012, 09:32 PM

I think it a good idea to do a re-evaluation of your BOL after 5 years, if not sooner…

Good post Thanks

**Applejack** · 07-23-2012, 10:46 PM

I also agree that we need to take a good look at our suroundings. we need to know what is out there so we can ajust the mannor in which we need to protect ourselves. I am now checking on where the jails are around here. Never thought about that before, but anything can happen. thanks for such go info on that.
AJ

**Morgan101** · 07-24-2012, 08:01 AM

I first read about prepping back in the late 70's, during the Carter administration. Many of the things that are happening now, happened then. Many of us who lived through that era can see the similarities with this administration, and current times.

It was recommended then that you know where the prisons are located. Knowing where the prisons are, and the likely direction those people will take is an important part of prepping.

If TSHTF one of two things would likely happen. The prisoners would be released and turned loose. It is not likely they will be left in cages, to die like animals, or the guards and administration would lock themselves in to protect themselves from the inmates, and the inmates would escape. Either way you will have a sizeable population of bad people roaming the streets. Having some idea of where they will go will help in your preparation.