I think you missed the point i was getting at and is the same point i was saying back in the counter point thread. Its based on timing. As in all the stuff im talking about is during a time before the SHTF as in the laws of society are still in place and cops will still need to deal with things even if they are stressed or not, and if you accidentally travel into a bad area and feel your being followed, if you see a cop and goto to them it might be a safer thing to deal with then who might be following you. Anyone trying to avoid a cop might draw more attention to the cop. Also since its not yet a SHTF situation, you really would not want to be showing any weapons anyway at this time because it brings up more questions with cops that see you. Also im not saying run up to them. Im saying head toward them but in a manner that is comfortable for them to know your not a threat. In a disaster situation, many other ppl might be on the same street so the cops might be there to see where ppl are going or to make sure the area is ok before moving onto the next area. Yes some cops might do stupid things during a disaster, but being open and showing your not a threat and you need to talk to them for one reason or another can help.KnightoftheRoc wrote:Much of what you posted, Ableto, is solid, and has been the position of many of the members on ZS, posting here, and in other threads. I do think you have missed ODA's point in the other thread, but that point is based on a phenomenon that has arisen here on ZS, and not being all that old long-term a member on here, you might be unaware of the context his position is offered in.
As I said, much of what you just posted, I agree with- except this part, which is utterly FAIL:
"Being gray is useful that can help get you out of a bind as long as you play the part. If your in a bad area and you see a cop, its best to go up to the cop and ask for directions or get information about the area to help you plan your escape route."
I don't know how many emergencies you've actually been a part of, or how, or what other experience you might have. But it's been MY experience, and I'm only speaking for myself here, that contact with Law Enforcement should be avoided at all costs, unless you actually NEED the services they offer. I'm pretty confident in this position, based on my own experience, and that of others, some of whom are LEO's themselves, and/or experienced Katrina firsthand.
I'm not saying that the cops are automatically 'the enemy', at any time, merely that in an emergency, they have their hands full, and are understandably working on a heightened sense of awareness. In some cases, maybe a little TOO heightened, but they are human, and that's human nature- they want to go home to their families when it's over with, too.
That heightened sense of awareness that serves as a positive for you when using it, acts as a negative for you when someone else is using it. In the case of approaching the officer, he's not expecting "Officer, I can't find my mommy!", he's looking for trouble in any guise it may wear. If you are CCW-ing, he's going to be looking for that, and may spot your weapon. Maybe your weapon 'prints' badly. Maybe he just thinks you "look like the type" to whatever, and he's going to be predisposed to give you a bad day. Even in the best case scenario, he's busy, has his hands full, and you are just one more thing to add to the pile of crap he's dealing with. If you happen to pick one that has some prejudice against "your type", be it race, hair color, or whatever, your day may go from bad to SUCK in a real hurry- and, you could have avoided it.
Do your research beforehand- KNOW your area, know the routes, know the alternates, so you don't HAVE to ask directions, not even for the sake of appearances. The fact alone that you have made yourself 'known' to the officer means you are now no longer 'grey', because you HAVE been noticed. And, you could have avoided it.
Also when trying to get out of town you will come across cops that might have road blocks or check points that you will have to deal with. So ether way you will have to deal with cops or other law enforcement you come across. If your traveling home or headed for the hills, sometimes playing the part that your average joe headed to a specific place might help you not get questioned by the cops, depending on who you come up to. Im not saying its a 100% sure thing to do for safety. It could be better then dealing with ppl that could be following you to do harm. Also avoiding the cops could seem fishy to them if they spot you as in your driving along and see a checkpoint and you decide to go down another street, dont be surprised if a cop follows you and stops you and asks questions. Its called dealing with the situation and learning how to go through the situation and move on. Be the gray man, know your goal and be the part of the gray many that helps you get to where your going. If you come up to a cop, then learn to deal with it. If you come up to ppl that want to do harm, you learn to deal with it. Hiding from ppl is simple and sometimes seen as fishy when your spotted, but learning to hide out in the open does work. You just need to learn what to do and what to say to get you to where you need to go to reach your goal.
Yes its good to know the areas beforehand, but what if gangs or other ppl doing harm in the area shift to other areas. Sometimes just asking what areas to avoid do to gunfire or riots or looting would be a good thing to know and to avoid. Also it helps to re up your in-tell of the areas ahead. Its all down to how you play the part of the gray man. Also not everyone will be carrying a gun due to laws in the area/country they live in. So again how are ppl going to get by without a weapon of some sort, going to a cop is a viable option when needed. Just think of your options when they come up.
Some men, you just can't reach..... 
, a wimpy looser 
, ghost(hiding) 
, and so many others 
. 
)
