rural population

[CharlesHarris]

My neighbor is a retired cop from Southern California, Los Angeles Sheriff's Dept. He says that roving criminal hordes are unlikely tol exit their familiar urban environment to invade your rural home. Criminals by nature are lazy and won’t leave their familiar turf for the unknown. If they have an operational vehicle it will be low on fuel, because they will burn up what is in the tank cruising for all night liquor, drug stores, convenience or small (unguarded) Mom & Pop grocery stores just like they did before the event until the gas is gone. Walking or biking to save fuel isn’t in their mindset. No gas means generally no travel for this group, with a few very rare exceptions.

It is also unlikely to see large needy hungry hordes wandering out from town. When local resources (read: booze and junk food), and aid from the government is exhausted they will do nothing, but sit in the government shelter and whine. Any burning and looting that starts soon upon onset of an event will surge until there is nothing left to burn or steal. When food and clean bedding run out these people will not walk out of town, because they are uncomfortable outdoors and away from other people.

The government-dependent underclass have rarely walked any distance for any reason and are unlikely to start now. They are predisposed to wait for “rescue” and will stay in town. Without gas to drive or the will to walk you won't see many very urban wanderers coming to your rural community if it is more than 100 km from any major city. Most of them will only to head for another urban area only when it is rumored to have free handouts being trucked there by the National Guard or Red Cross. Expect roads to be impassible until the "bad guys" have finished consuming all the resources along the way, (gas, booze and food).