Father Knows Best
Member
Just found this thread...
...so I'm a little late to the party. But here are a few comments:
1. I have actually thought about the generator theft issue quite a bit. Like many on THR, I believe in being prepared for emergencies (or as my wife likes to say, I'm "adorably paranoid"). So I have a generator and a transfer switch that will let me run essential things like the furnace when the grid is down. Here in Minnesota, that can be very important in the event of a severe winter storm, as we have no other source of heat for the house. It has occurred to me, however, that in the event of a real emergency where I need to rely on my generator, many of my neighbors and fellow citizens will not be so well prepared. Some of them will see my lights on, or hear my generator running, and within that group there may well be a goblin or two who are perfectly willing to take it for themselves. My generator is a portable 6.5kw unit on a wheeled cart. One strong guy or two average guys with a station wagon or pickup could take it easily. How do I prevent that?
2. The short answer is that I can't completely prevent it. I can take certain basic precautions, such as chaining it down securely, and bringing it inside the house at night. We can certainly survive 8-10 hours with the power off at night even on the coldest winter nights, and I'll probably be concerned about rationing fuel for it, anyway. During the day, it ought to be watched any time it is exposed.
3. If someone does try to take it, however, I am pefectly within my rights to confront them, and to do so while visibly armed. I cannot and will not shoot anyone without warning. I will, however, tell them forcefully to leave my property. If they advance or threaten me in any way, I will use force if I believe it is necessary to protect me or my family. I will not shoot anyone unless a firearm is directed at me, however, or unless I am rushed or they try to enter my home. In those situations, the generator is irrelevant -- I am merely protecting my and my family's safety.
...so I'm a little late to the party. But here are a few comments:
1. I have actually thought about the generator theft issue quite a bit. Like many on THR, I believe in being prepared for emergencies (or as my wife likes to say, I'm "adorably paranoid"). So I have a generator and a transfer switch that will let me run essential things like the furnace when the grid is down. Here in Minnesota, that can be very important in the event of a severe winter storm, as we have no other source of heat for the house. It has occurred to me, however, that in the event of a real emergency where I need to rely on my generator, many of my neighbors and fellow citizens will not be so well prepared. Some of them will see my lights on, or hear my generator running, and within that group there may well be a goblin or two who are perfectly willing to take it for themselves. My generator is a portable 6.5kw unit on a wheeled cart. One strong guy or two average guys with a station wagon or pickup could take it easily. How do I prevent that?
2. The short answer is that I can't completely prevent it. I can take certain basic precautions, such as chaining it down securely, and bringing it inside the house at night. We can certainly survive 8-10 hours with the power off at night even on the coldest winter nights, and I'll probably be concerned about rationing fuel for it, anyway. During the day, it ought to be watched any time it is exposed.
3. If someone does try to take it, however, I am pefectly within my rights to confront them, and to do so while visibly armed. I cannot and will not shoot anyone without warning. I will, however, tell them forcefully to leave my property. If they advance or threaten me in any way, I will use force if I believe it is necessary to protect me or my family. I will not shoot anyone unless a firearm is directed at me, however, or unless I am rushed or they try to enter my home. In those situations, the generator is irrelevant -- I am merely protecting my and my family's safety.
