Page 112 - The Lost Ways

So your deputies need to talk to people, help them out where they can, and do everything
in their power to build an atmosphere where people talk about any worries they have,
anything they’ve seen, and anything else that can help preserve law and order.

Don’t just look outward either. If someone’s suffering from stress—and people will be in
an extreme SHTF scenario—you can pick up advance warning of any issues that are
developing. If someone’s started drinking heavily, getting aggressive with family or
neighbors, or possibly even thinking of suicide, you’ll get to hear about it, and you can
keep an eye on the situation before it gets out of control.

You and your deputies have other things to do too. You’ll know the places in the area
where bandits or refugees might hide out. Check them regularly for signs that anyone’s
been using them. Also take a look at anything that could endanger the community. If
there’s a levee nearby, make sure it’s visited daily—more often in heavy rain. Make sure
nobody’s playing around with local industries that use hazardous chemicals, and check
for evidence of tampering with the water supply.

One of the likeliest challenges you’ll face is groups of refugees looking for food, shelter,

and security. You can’t take them in; your own resources, no matter how well prepared
you are, will be stretched enough as the crisis goes on.

Be firm but compassionate. You need to turn them away, but don’t use force unless they
do it first. They’re Americans, after all, and they’re not to blame for what’s happened.

Some of them might even have been prepared for a social breakdown but had to move

out because their home was threatened or destroyed. Give them what help you can
without eating into your own reserves: directions to safe areas or even some medical
supplies for anyone who’s really sick or injured.

Eventually news is going to spread that your community has managed to hold itself
together, and no matter how small it is—even if it’s just you and one or two neighbors—
someone’s going to think of trying to take your resources away from you. There’s a good
chance that when they see you’re prepared and vigilant, they’ll back off and look for an

easier target—but they might not. That’s the worst-case scenario, and you need to be
prepared for it.

Raising a Posse

When you see a posse in the movies, it’s usually been raised to pursue a fugitive. That
was certainly one of their functions, but it’s not one you’re likely to be calling on. Your

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