Build Your Network Now
Humans have always been very social beings. We’ve always banded together to increase our chances of survival. In fact, our survival is highly dependent on it. Our desire to be a part of a community is evident in the formation of groups, communities, tribes, and clans. As the popular saying goes, there is strength in numbers. The larger the group, the better the chances are of survival.
During a prolonged emergency, chaos and lawlessness might prevail. People with ill intentions will take advantage of the situation to loot and wreak havoc. It helps to form a network in your community so that you’ll get some assistance in warding off these assailants. You need to be open to the possibility that these assailants may band together in gangs so it’s a smart move to secure yourself with family and friends.
It’s tempting to reinforce your home with security measures and to stockpile your home with resources, but those measures aren’t enough. It helps to be on good terms with the people in your community. In this current setting where people are mobile, your neighbors might frequently change and you’ll need to reintroduce yourself constantly. This may seem tough but it’s necessary because, during times of peril, people are more likely to help friends compared to strangers.
Familiar individuals are also easier to barter with. Friendly conversations establish trust and reliability. This relationship will come in handy when you ran out of resources and you need to barter. If you’re unsure how to break the ice, you can just bring over some baked goods or a bountiful harvest from your garden. This will make them feel more welcome in your neighborhood.
Another way to expand your network is by joining the community or local events. This will help you get acquainted with everybody else. You can volunteer to be placed on the neighborhood watch or help out with local gatherings. If you wish to socialize with a select few in your neighborhood, you can do something smaller, like a weekly poker game.
Just because you’ve made friends with your neighbors doesn’t mean you should trust them wholeheartedly. It’s still important to keep your personal stash a secret from your neighbors and peers. Keep the full extent a secret by hiding it in a secure spot in your home. Orient all the family members to keep it under wraps. in this manner, you can prioritize you and your family’s needs.
Revealing that you have a survival stash will invite your neighbors to come for you for help. This will pressure you into giving something even at a time where everything is in short supply. It can also put you on the radar of viable houses to pilfer.
Neighborhood Watches
Joining your local neighborhood watch is a great way to get acquainted with everyone in your community. It allows you to form a network of people who all want to keep the neighborhood safe. Being part of a neighborhood watch also allows you to streamline the disaster preparations of your community. You can check if every household is competent enough to withstand emergency situations. You can also check which members of the community are reliable or not.
Social Check List
- Porch chairs
- Picnic table
- Gift baskets
- Obtain CERT training
- Join an amateur or ham radio club
- Be a part of the local neighborhood watch
- Start a neighborhood watch
- Invite neighbors for weekly poker or weekend barbecues
- Welcome new tenants into your neighborhood
- Go to town meetings
- Get involved and be active in local politics
