What would the police do during SHTF?

[manhattan23]

I'm posting this here because THRoaders have a very good imagination and seem to enjoy SHTF scenarios.

I used to live in NYC. I became an Auxiliary cop about 2 months prior to 9/11 and also assisted during the blackout. My intention in joining was that if anything horrible happened I would rather be in a position to help out than have to sit home while the tanks rolled by and the loudspeakers bellowed "Stay in your homes and listen to the radio." I envisoned myself as the person who would still be there in the neighborhood when the cops decided they didn't want to come to work anymore. (ie, its THAT bad and the guns come out) Also, being a recognized/uniformed "citizen" who is able to help the police before it gets THAT bad is also a positive.

During 9/11, many people tried to volunteer their time and skills to the rescue/recovery efforts. I can only imagine how frustrating it was to wait hours in line and then be turned away. Also, after a few days all volunteers were turned away as the national guard was brought in.

Moving around became very difficult. After 9/11 the bridges in NYC were either closed or restricted. Some streets were closed and immediately after 9/11 the lower quarter of Manhattan was closed off to all but pedestrian traffic and public safety.

What would the police do in your town if the SHTF?
Would you want to help them?
Would they let you help them?
Would they let you move around or would they close down major roads/bridges?

I guess the possibility of a scenario where the police pull out/withdraw due to their inability to handle the situation is also something to think about. It happened in Los Angeles.


-Manhattan23

 

[Joe Demko]

Well, as a deputy sheriff, I've been part of of few local SHTF scenes, flooding and severe storm damage to be exact. What did we do?
1. Direct traffic, both "civilian" and emergency vehicles. You'd be surprised, or maybe not, at the number of people who go out sight-seeing during an emergency situation. They seem to think road blocks mean "something ineffably kewl to see here!"
2. Respond to calls to evacuate people unable to evacuate themselves.
3. Prevent looting. During the flood, one of the places we watched over for looting was a gun store.

 

[HankB]

It depends on how widely the SHTF, and exactly how.

If THEIR homes/families are in danger, they'll protect those FIRST.

Otherwise, as Golgo-13 wrote, I expect they'll do the best they can, directing traffic, providing assistance, preventing looting, etc.

Unless it's in Los Angeles - then, if history is any guide, LA's finest will ignore looting, ignore calls for help, and try to protect the looters from citizens who object to their "stuff" being looted.

 

[wella]

Those scenarios aren't shtf. Those are

are just short term, minor inconveniences. Shtf, by definition, means paper assets of all sorts, including currency, is good for nothing but the toilet. Then we will see how many "serve" for free, while their families are at risk of being raped, killed, enslaved, etc.

 

[goalie]

During the post-Rodney King-verdict LA riots the police abandoned the citizens and said they were on their own. Literally.

 

[wella]

later, cops prosecuted the guys video-

taped guarding their shops, etc, too. they'd have been better off to be using .22 CB caps, in (disposable type, later) rifles, from back inside their homes, and just gut shooting the wanna be looters, out of the windows. All windows open, all homes, where did the shots come from? Where will you want to NOT be anymore, as a looter, hmm?

 

[Jeff White]

Sorry, we don't advocate breaking the law here this one's closed.

Jeff