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June 12, 1999
Phoenix, Arizona
For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Doug Ritter
dritter@equipped.org

Doug Ritter, publisher and editor of the Equipped To Survive™ Web site (www.equipped.org), has issued a warning that an unexpected side effect of the Year 2000 Bug, or Y2K as it is commonly known, may likely be a potentially tragic crime wave. Millions of Americans have already started hoarding cash in anticipation of Y2K problems, or "just in case." As the new year approaches, millions more are likely to withdraw cash from bank accounts, "just in case."

Ritter predicts that the three months prior to the new year will see a huge increase in home burglaries, robberies, and armed invasions as criminals take advantage of these rich and likely easy pickings. Ritter commented, "while criminals may not be the brightest people around, the inevitable media coverage of Y2K and the hoarding of cash by many is not likely to escape their notice, with potentially tragic results."

Ritter points out that while it may make good sense to have a small amount of excess cash on hand in case of potential minor Y2K inconveniences, a good idea under any circumstances and particularly in areas prone to natural disaster, not just Y2K, there is no reason for Americans to hoard the thousands of dollars many have hidden in cigar boxes or in home safes. Ritter noted, "I was visiting a normally very sensible friend this past weekend and he proudly showed off his hoard of cash, an amount well in excess of five thousand dollars -- ‘just in case.’"

Ritter continued, "it is ironic that many innocent people will see their life savings, or at least a significant and irreplaceable sum of money, lost for no good reason. There is no evidence whatsoever that the U.S. banking industry is imperiled by Y2K. In fact, it is one of the industries best prepared for Y2K."

While homeowner’s insurance may cover some or all of the losses, it will not cover the tragic loss of life that is also going to accompany this crime spree. Ritter predicts, "Tragically, people are also going to die as a result of these home invasions, both innocent victims and criminals." Some will die when people take action to protect their property, others, ironically and even more tragically, as a result of some criminal’s disbelief and frustration that some wealthy homeowner doesn’t have a stash hidden someplace.

Ritter offers the following advice:

1. Keep no more than $500 in cash at home. From the perspective of Y2K, anything more is unnecessary. If you insist on keeping more, keep a small "decoy stash" in a relatively easily located hiding place (such as the cookie jar or under the mattress) that you can give up in a robbery or burglary to satisfy the criminals, the rest hidden elsewhere in as secure a hiding place as you can find. Check your homeowner’s insurance to see if you are covered and for how much.
2. Don't tell anyone, especially your children who might inadvertently let it slip, how much money you have stashed away, or where.
3. Criminals will look to easy pickings first. A burglary alarm, good deadbolt locks, large dog, outside lighting and similar anti-intrusion efforts will encourage the criminal to go somewhere else less risky. Contact your law enforcement agency for suggestions on how to burglary-proof your home and neighborhood.
4. If you have firearms for home and personal protection, learn how to use them in such circumstances. Being able to hit a target at the range is far different from being able to think tactically and defend yourself and your home. Unless you are properly prepared, trained, and equipped, it may be better for you to give up your "decoy stash" than risk your life in an armed confrontation.

For a "Y2K Sanity Check" visit the Equipped To Survive™ Web site at www.equipped.org. Equipped To Survive™ is the largest and most respected outdoors gear, survival equipment and survival techniques Web site. The non-profit Equipped To Survive™ Web site features independent reviews of name brand survival and outdoors equipment and lists of survival schools and survival and outdoors equipment manufacturers and retailers.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Doug Ritter, email dritter@equipped.org.

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Publisher and Editor: Doug Ritter
Email: Doug Ritter
URL: http://www.equipped.org/y2-mr-2.htm
Revision: 2 June 12, 1999
 

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