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US Homeland Communities |
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THE
PROBLEM
Like many Americans, I watched in astonishment and
horror as New Orleans law and order crumbled in just a
couple of days after Hurricane Katrina. I looked around
my own neighborhood and wondered what would happen if
the "lights went out" in my area in similar fashion. I
wondered how I would defend my home and family if the
thugs that came out in New Orleans came out in my
neighborhood. (And there are plenty of thugs in the Dallas
area!) I determined that not only is my house generally
non-defensible, but my entire neighborhood, and in fact,
the entire area would generally be non-defensible
against the riff-raff in a societal breakdown.
Now,
I would hope that Americans would band together in a
time of crisis, instead of banding together against each
other. But I'm afraid that in a societal breakdown,
small groups of like-minded individuals would band
together to fight to the death for the last bits of food
and gasoline. In my area (Dallas), I see three groups -
(1) the working middle and upper class; (2) the welfare
class that is generally dependent on government
handouts; and (3) perhaps a million recent immigrants
from Mexico that now live in the Dallas/Fort Worth
Metroplex. And, each of these three groups already have
criminal elements who would be even more dangerous in a
lawless environment.
Notwithstanding the potential for a major crisis that
could lead to a societal breakdown, American society is
already dangerous on many fronts. Watch the local
nightly news, and if you're in a major town or city,
you'll likely see a slew of stories about robberies,
murders, rapes, vandalism and other assorted mayhem.
Americans are making sure to lock their doors at night,
and some are already moving to gated communities far
from the rotting cores of our major metropolitan areas. |
THE
SOLUTION
Our solution here at ADF is to develop nationwide a
series of "ultimate gated communities" where Americans
can live safe and secure, even during times of crisis.
ADF's US Homeland Communities
would be similar to other planned communities
built around the nation, with designer homes,
nature trails, basketball courts, community
centers and public parks.
However, ADF Homeland Communities would have
enhanced security measures such as blast resistant security
walls, secure entrances and protected utilities.
Earth-friendly homes would be built to operate off the grid,
with solar technology and other sustainable energy features.
Not only would residents perhaps be saving themselves and
their families in a time of crisis (and continuing the
American way of life), but they would also be
helping to save our nation's precious resources. |
PRECEDENTS
Defensible communities are nothing new in the history of
the world. Today, high-security gated communities can be
found in some South American countries where drug
violence is rampant. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers
have built a number of fortified settlements (photo
right - click to enlarge), complete
with walls, watchtowers and fortified entrances, to
defend against Palestinians who are hostile to the
settlements. In South Africa, "security villages" or
"neighborhood enclosures" have been built because of
high levels of violent crime. |
COMMUNITY LOCATIONS
US Homeland Communities could be built anywhere there is
enough land, to include inner cities, suburbs and
outlying areas. Outlying areas should be considered as
the favored locations for Homeland Communities, since
they could be built away from high-crime areas and have
surrounding clear land to act as defensive buffer zones.
To be economically viable, outlying communities should
probably be no more than 30 minutes away from
metropolitan areas, though communities designed for
retirees could be farther out. Preferably, land for
communities would be selected based on advantageous
terrain that would enhance community defenses, such as
building the communities on hilltops. |
COMMUNITY
DEFENSES
Homeland Communities would utilize a number of factors
to enhance the security of the communities. First and
foremost, Homeland Communities would need a security
barrier around the perimeter of the community. Depending
on design, economics and other factors, this barrier
could be anything from concertina wire to blast
resistant walls found around US embassies. For
example, a community built in an outlying area could be
built on a hilltop, and be surrounded near the bottom of
the hill by a 12-foot high wall with a trench dug in
front of it to deter ramming by vehicles. Outside this
wall, there could be another barrier such as a
barbed-wire fence or concertina wire. Beyond the wall,
there would be preferably at least 500 meters of open,
cleared land, giving residents a defensive buffer and
clear sight-lines to identify approaching threats. (This
cleared land could be used for farming, grazing or other
useful purposes.) The
one entrance to the community would have a heavy gate,
and perhaps the road approaching the gate would have a
sharp turn, or a series of turns to slow potentially
dangerous vehicles. Depending on the size of the
community and resources of community residents, the gate
could be manned by security guards, or if guards are not
feasible, access could be controlled by an electronic
keypad and gate. In times of crisis, the gate could be
guarded by residents. A watchtower would be an option
for Homeland Communities, giving residents the
capability to observe surrounding areas and provide a
platform to help repel invaders. Security cameras would
provide additional security. Residents would be
encouraged, but not required, to own firearms within the
framework of applicable local, state and federal laws. |
COMMUNITY
SIZE
Homeland Communities could come in all sizes, from
enclaves of perhaps twenty residences to communities
with hundreds, if not thousands of homes. However,
communities should not grow so large as to invite the
problems that residents are trying to escape in the
first place. For example, a "regular" gated community
near Las Vegas with 60,000 residents reportedly has had
its share of crime, including robberies, a serial rapist
and drug problems. (1) Probably, communities would be no
larger than a couple of hundred homes. And preferably,
all homes in the community would be within a certain
price range so that all residents are basically "on the
same page" and divisions don't erupt between community
members in times of crisis. |
COMMUNITY AMENITIES
Amenities at Homeland Communities would depend on
several factors, including the size of the development,
terrain, financial resources and local preferences.
Smaller communities may have no amenities, except for
enhanced security features. Mid-size communities might
have nature trails, ponds (that double as emergency
water supplies), basketball courts, community centers,
swimming pools and other amenities normally found in
planned communities. Amenities would be tailored to
presumed community residents based on factors such as
income levels and regional preferences. Larger
communities might have shops, a gas station, educational
and religious facilities, and perhaps even a golf
course! |
HOME DESIGN
Homes would be designed to maximize the sustainability
and defensibility aspects of the communities.
Preferably, homes would be fireproofed with metal roofs
and fire-resistant exteriors to include brick and stone.
Large, walk-in pantries would store reserve food and
double as tornado shelters or safe-rooms. Overall,
though, homes would be designed like those found in many
popular residential communities. An average Homeland
Community home might have about 3,000 square feet with
three bedrooms, a study, a dining room, kitchen and
nook, living room, media/game room, utility room and
rear-entry garage. (Homes with
rear-entry garages will give communities a better
appearance, allow front porches that enhance curb
appeal and community involvement, and allow for an alley between homes and the
security fence that will allow security vehicle
perimeter patrols.)
Homes
would be fitted with sustainable, green, eco-friendly
resources, to include metal roofs that channel water to
large cisterns (to be used for landscaping and other
purposes besides drinking, or for drinking during an
interruption of water supply), solar panels and wind
turbines to produce electricity, and solar water
heaters. Climate and other regional conditions would
dictate some home design aspects to maximize heating,
cooling and lighting efficiencies. Overall, the
energy-saving and energy-producing homes would minimize
utility costs for homeowners as well as providing a
guarantee against power interruptions or water shortages
(which have been forecast for the United States' future,
particularly in the West where water and power are
already close to breaking points).
Though such-designed homes would be more costly to build
(perhaps carrying a 10 to 20 percent premium over
similar homes without sustainable and security
features), homeowners would be rewarded over the
long-term with lower utility costs. And, as an
investment, green homes with extra security features
might carry a premium over regular properties. |
COMMUNITY
LIFE
Residents of Homeland Communities would probably and
hopefully find life no different than in other "regular"
residential communities, except for the enhanced "peace
of mind" residents would feel knowing they and their
families are living in a safe and secure environment.
Residents might also feel a greater "sense of community"
and find neighbors to be neighborly due to the shared
concerns of the community.
Community guidelines would be enforced through local
Homeowners Associations just like those found across the
United States. With shared concerns, residents might
even be more neighborly, something that is lost in many
neighborhoods. Life would be lived normally in Homeland
Communities, unless a crisis situation developed. Then,
residents could consult with each other (through the
Homeowners Association) and determine the proper course
of actions based on the situation. |
SOCIAL ISSUES
Some see gated communities as exclusive, divisive and
segregationist. I see the communities as inclusive and
neighborly - an oasis of tranquility - in a world gone
mad. As for the segregationist charge, I plead guilty. I
want to segregate peace-loving, law-abiding Americans
from the criminal riff-raff of society.
Some
might see discrimination as a factor, but US Homeland
Communities will, of course, be subject to the full
spectrum of U.S. laws and policies that insure all
Americans have equal opportunities in the housing
market. In fact, without trying to sound too much like
Sir Thomas More, I see the communities in a utopian
light, with Americans of all types living side-to-side
in peace and harmony.
But what if a neighbor "isn't like the others?" What if,
for example, a Muslim family moves into a predominantly
non-Muslim community, and the non-Muslims worry about
the Muslims being a security threat? More than likely,
however, the Muslim family is peace-loving and
recognizes the value of a peaceful, safe and secure
community. More than likely, the family sees the community as a
refuge from the chaos that is becoming some of America's
streets. More than likely, they'll have these regards in
common with all other members of the community. There
will be common ground and shared concerns among most
community members, no matter the race, background,
creed, or other attributes. |
REALIZATION
There are two ways to promote and realize the creation
of Homeland Communities across the nation.
The first way is to convince current
homebuilders/community developers that
defensible/sustainable communities are economically
desirable and they would develop them on their own with
little or no collaboration with ADF.
The
second way is for ADF to develop the communities,
perhaps with the help of local homebuilders/community
developers. More than likely, ADF will need to develop
at least one successful community to convince others to
develop them on their own.
To
that end, here are the preliminary plans for the first
Homeland Community.
1. The community will be built north or east of Dallas, within
commuting distance of the city.
2. It will be built in a rural area with access to
utilities, preferably on a hilltop or raised elevation.
3. The community will have 100 homes with sizes ranging
from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet on lots of from about
.20 to .50 acres with prices preferable ranging in the
$200,000 to $350,000 price range.
4. The community will have amenities such as walking
trails, recreation and sports fields, a park and other
amenities that are economically viable for a community
of 100 homes.
5. The name of the community will be Centurion Village.
(In the Roman Army, centurions commanded a century of
100 men. Upon setting up a new camp, the centurion's
first order of business would be to direct his soldiers
in building a defensive perimeter around the camp.)
To
make this possible, ADF needs the following assistance:
1. Land
2. Finances (money)
3. Homebuilder and community developer assistance or
collaboration
4. Sustainable, green home designs
5. Security design assistance, perhaps to include input
about Jewish settlements in the West Bank and South
African security villages.
6. Other assistance as needed.
A few notes
1. The land for the first community could be from an
existing farm or ranch. In fact, the existing farm or
ranch could be the centerpiece of the community,
providing both marketing and practical opportunities.
For example, Centurion Village could be marketed as a
suburban ranch, with residents enjoying the best of the
suburbs and farm-life. (This could be a big draw for
families wanting a farm experience for their children.)
As for practicality, a farm or ranch could enhance the
sustainability of the community in a time of crisis by
providing food such as eggs, milk, etc. The farm or
ranch could perhaps be operated by residents as a profit
or non-profit food coop.
2. I see many varieties of Homeland Communities across
the land in every state, built to local needs and
preferences with home prices ranging from $150,000 to
over $1 million.
3. Community features may change according to design
enhancement and modifications.
To
offer your assistance please see our
About page for contact information or our
Donate page to send financial
assistance.
Tom
Wakefield
Founder, American Defense Forces |
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(1)
Separate Places: Crime and Security
in Gated Communities, Edward J. Blakely and Mary
Gail Snyder, 1998 |
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