Hardening the home for defense

[Kfgk14]

In light of recent events in England, I want to have a plan for hardening my home against rioters, looter, etc.

So far, my windows have been given heavy-duty "storm shutters" made of solid oak. About two inches thick. I have a few hundred sandbags, and plenty of sand to fill them with to make a barrier around the house. I have a plan to use the garden hose, buckets, etc. to soak the roof, walls, sandbags set up around the house, yard, etc. to protect from the looters lighting it all on fire. All outer doors have been replaced with solid-core oak, 2" thick, four hinge affairs. Multiple dead bolts.

Anything else I can do to harden against burglary, looting, etc.? What are your plans for doing such? should I put bars on first-floor windows?

Thanks.

[Naxet1959]

If it gets to London style rioting, I'll team up with neighbors to stop entry into the neighborhood. With my Arsenal AK. Move on folks, nothing to see here...

[NWPilgrim]

Agree the best protection is to keep them away from your house so they don't target it. Think about what could be used along with neighbors to block of your street. Barbed wire, old trailers, or that plastic netting used around construction sites?

We have always chose to live on a cul-de-sac and currently live on a long drive off a cul-de-sac. In one neighborhood we lived in teenagers would vandalize most houses along the through street as they were easy targets. None of the houses on cul de sacs were ever bothered.

Whether you are on a cul de sac now or not, I would seriously consider devising a way to make it one in an emergency. It would probably have to be manned by at least a couple of guys through the night and perhaps daylight with cell phones and or walkie talkies.

[ccosby]

I'd wonder if the sandbags would draw more attention instead of doing good. In many situations one of the keys I would think is to not stand out. With that more passive things like bushes and other landscaping that makes it harder to get to your house without standing out would be better.

Naxet1959 is also on where I'd think keeping them out of the neighborhood would be best. Don't want them near the house if you can help it.

[moonshot]

I've thought about this as well, but haven't come up with any good and affordable solutions.

If you really want to harden your home, what about protection against incoming rounds? Seems like this is a logical progression to rioters looting and burning.

As for patroling the neighborhood to keep the yobs out, don't you think walking aqround with AK's and AR's slung over ones shoulder would attract some unwanted attention from the authorities? Might be a litle counter productive.

[Kfgk14]

I'd wonder if the sandbags would draw more attention instead of doing good. In many situations one of the keys I would think is to not stand out. With that more passive things like bushes and other landscaping that makes it harder to get to your house without standing out would be better.

Naxet1959 is also on where I'd think keeping them out of the neighborhood would be best. Don't want them near the house if you can help it.

I'm pretty far off the road, you can't see the house from the road or even twenty-five yards up the drive way (yeah, I've got it measured out). I'm kind of in a rural area (a few miles out side of a town population 15,000 which is 30 miles outside of a city population 75,000).

I think if anyone came out my way, the rioting/unrest has gotten very serious and they're going to hit any place they can. I figure if they come up the driveway, they want inside no matter what they find. Also, there aren't many houses in the area. My few neighbors will be locked and loaded too, so I honestly don't want to be the softest target in the area. If they hit any of the houses in my area and survive getting inside/taking the place over, they'll have guns and ammo, and probably be emboldened by their success (that's how I figure it).

I have long line of sight (at least fifty meters) in all directions, I'm at sort of a high point of land (the tree line all around is below the level of my house). I'd be very aggressive in defensive policy (not shoot on sight, but I'd have guns out if any visitor did, and I'll use appropriate force on anyone showing any aggression).

So, barbed wire? I guess blocking vehicle approach is a good idea, too. Maybe have an alternative route to exit around the barricade, concealed by brush?

I'm trying to get ideas flowing for all you out there too.

ETA: moonshot, the reason for sandbagging around the first floor (and the fact I own level IV rifle plates) is to protect against incoming rounds as well as the breaking of windows, damage to the outside of the home, delay entry, etc. The heavy shutters would offer some ballistic protection as well.

In terms of affordability, the local fire dept. will sell you sandbags for a marginal price. At least, they sold them to me for like 10 cents a bag.

[John W]

I'd wonder if the sandbags would draw more attention instead of doing good. In many situations one of the keys I would think is to not stand out. With that more passive things like bushes and other landscaping that makes it harder to get to your house without standing out would be better.

This one ran a red flag with me as well. If your floors can support it, what about some drop clothes or plastic tarps and placing your bags in the house? That way you have ballistic protection and you keep your low profile.

Another thought is to stop vehicles from gaining access to your building area. What about some raised planters reinforced with cinderblocks, concrete and re-bar? You can place sand or gravel in the bottom of them (ballistic protection) and nice looking plants with thorns to help ward off anyone playing where they don't belong. If implemented properly, the planters will offer excellent ballistic protection and provide a nice surprise to any vehicles that try to storm the gates.

[eo500]

It sounds like you are better prepared than most people. History has shown that mobs and thugs like to take the path of least resistance, so like the old joke about two hikers being chased by a bear, you only need to outrun your neighbors.
I agree that blocking the street is a necessity, and I also am a fan of keeping a low profile, so the internal sandbags would be better than external bags. If you make your house appear that there is something of great value inside, you will become a higher priority target for a mob, or looters when shtf.
I am starting to look into the 3M Safety & Security film for my windows. I know that it is not perfect, nor will it completely bulletproof glass, but it will offer another level of protection for me. It might compliment your security shudders pretty well too. I personally don't want my house to look like a liquor store in the hood by adding bars on the off-chance that flash mobs are going to be hitting my house.

[Guns-up.50]

Fortunately for me there is only one way in and out of my neighborhood unfortunately at 26 years old most of my neighbors are 40 years older, so i might be on my own. I would block the road to stop traffic the put a pill box on the roof and go out Alamo style

[Thomas M-4]

Fortunately for me there is only one way in and out of my neighborhood unfortunately at 26 years old most of my neighbors are 40 years older, so i might be on my own. I would block the road to stop traffic the put a pill box on the roof and go out Alamo style

I would reconsider that part I can take a $100 SKS and put holes through and through a roof. 2 sheets of 3/4" ply wood , shingles and a layer of tar paper is nothing to a 7.62X39mm. It wood take a tremendous amount of sand bags to construct a bunker on a roof not to mention if the roof would even hold up to that weight.

If you have only one way in and out I would construct a intrenched fighting position in a bend of the road and try my best to clear the fields of fire. And have a BO plan.