What Happens When You Can't Rely on Police? Piracy in Oakland, CA Edition

I was going to title this post, "Piracy returns to California," but I'm not sure there were really any pirates in California dating back at least to the Spanish era. From Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog: Newest Sign of California’s Decline: Pirates

Piracy made news about 10 years ago, or more, when there was a resurgence off the east coast of Africa. It has always been something of a problem in the western Pacific ocean, and when the Venezuelan economy collapsed, it became a problem in the southeastern Carribean for a time.

There was even a high-profile case, that resulted in a Hollywood movie, but that is the rare occurance.

Piracy thrives, like any other crime, when the rule of law breaks down. The problem with piracy is that most of the world's oceans are not policed. There has been no police force since the British were traveling the seas under sail. The US Navy has rarely seen the supression of piracy as part of its mandate since the begining of the 20th Century.

With no law enforcement, people will "sail on the account."

And now that breakdown of law and order has reached Oakland, CA.

Boat owners say they’re going to ban together to do whatever they must to protect themselves. “We don’t bother to call the police anymore. We’re going to handle it ourselves.”

The fact that Oakland has exactly 1 officer trained on how to use its patrol boat, might go to explaining why they no longer bother. Though apparently the Coast Guard is adding some patrols to the Oakland estuary.

This is the CBS News video Marina residents say Oakland pirates becoming more brazen after several ships stolen. It is 4 minutes, and worth your time.

And the Graham Combat Killhouse Rules are worth repeating here. People resist this list, because our whole modern world seems to be predicated on the idea that you are not responsible for your own safety. The rules are after the break.

 

The Graham Combat Killhouse Rules:

1. NOBODY IS COMING TO SAVE YOU.  Whether an event lasts a few seconds, a few hours, or even a few days – you have to work as though nobody is coming to save you.

2. You are your savior, so start working because EVERYTHING IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.  You are your security, you are your medic, you are your rescuer.

3. You are your own best resource to SAVE WHO NEEDS TO BE SAVED.  Nobody wants to save your life more than you, so set yourself up for success by having the simple tools and knowledge to do so: do what you can with what you have.  Recognize that nobody is in a better position to start saving your life than you.

4. Sometimes saving lives means you have to KILL WHO NEEDS TO BE KILLED.  It has been almost 15 years since I first wrote “the more effective you are at taking a life, the more successful you’ll be at saving one” and nothing in the intervening time has changed my mind.  Be swift, be decisive, be final.

5. Mostly, ALWAYS BE WORKING.  There is always something you can be doing to improve your position.  Always.  Because nobody is coming to save you.