Anyone using FRS radios yesterday? Work OK? I'm told they don't work well among tall buildings, but we've been able to talk up to a mile in town at times.
Boston Marathon bombings raise speculation about home-grown terrorism - Metro - The Boston Globe
I don't go into Boston unless I have absolutely zero choice in the matter. Over the past 16 years That averages out to maybe one time per year. I sure as hell wouldn't go into town on the day of the marathon.
I'm crazy, not stupid.
So, is your answer "No," or "Abstinence?"
Boston would be a terrific place without the public sporting events, 200,000 plus college students, tens of thousands of commuters, and 18 million tourists a year. But it wouldn't be modern Boston, which we really enjoy living in - possibly because we don't have to. Like anywhere else, there are vexations.
In 1950, about 30% of the world's residents lived in cities. By 2050, it will be 70%.
Today 79% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas. For most people in the Northeast, there isn't going to be anyplace to "bug out" to.
Urban survival planning is fun and easy! As far as specifics go, my wife and kids are trained to hit the ground if they hear any booms, and to count to 10 before looking up. I seriously doubt they would do it, I believe curiosity would get the better of them.
My 13yo already knows her way around the subway and bus system, and simply walked home the last time she got held up by schedules - not really an option for out-of-towners. .We've also sent them to classes on identifying threatening environments and threatening people, and mostly to be aware of their surroundings. 90% of the young women and 50% of the guys walking down the street are watching their palm and listening to their headphones. Most of their classes have been about situational awareness.
There's one thing that I almost never see mentioned -
ask for help. The vast majority of people anywhere are good souls and there's no substitute for local knowledge.A couple of examples.
- A portion of the Green line was shut down. The Red and Blue lines to my knowledge never shut don at all. Ask a local and they would have directed you to Park Station, and the Red Line goes from Arlington/Cambridge line all the way south to Braintree.
- There are huge parking garages downtown. Taking the Commons garage for example, if you went to the pay station and held up a sign that said "Need a ride to xxxxx" bet you woudln't have more than a 15 minute wait - most commuters come into town with empty cars.
- There are 100 Hubway rental bike locations with over 1,000 bikes in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville. Bring it back a day later and it would cost you $100 - the best $100 you ever spent, possibly.
- There are commuter boats and water taxis that run all over Boston Harbor and to the South Shore. You can take a water taxi to Logan, then take a NH state subsidized bus ride to Manchester, NH.
Survival isn't about a tool kit, it's a mind set.