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WorldNetDaily

By David M. Bresnahan ) 1999 WorldNetDaily.com

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- At least one police department is taking steps to ensure that the families of officers will be fully prepared for Year 2000-related problems, but the same preparations are not being recommended to the public.

An internal memorandum to all sworn personnel, communications center personnel, and professional staff of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office was provided to WorldNetDaily by a concerned deputy. The document was verified as authentic by San Diego County sheriff's spokesman Ron Reina.

"Pardon my ignorance, but what's the big deal? I don't get the significance," Reina commented when contacted by WorldNetDaily.

The memorandum was issued to place restrictions on vacation time around the end of the year, inform staff about concerns for possible civil unrest and a higher level of criminal activity, and offer help for staff members to prepare their own families for Y2K problems.

"If significant interruptions do occur, it is possible there may be adverse public reactions. Additionally, New Year 2000 will undoubtedly be a time of heightened general police activity," stated Undersheriff Jack M. Drown in the memorandum.

Recipients of the memorandum were promised more information in separate, future handouts. That additional information would include "department plans and expectations, as well as information to ensure you and your families are properly prepared for Y2K emergencies."

There have been at least two additional memoranda containing the promised information. Those documents were provided by the same deputy and confirmed by Reina as being authentic.

A memorandum from Capt. George Kneeshaw, emergency services division, tells of the efforts being made by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office to become Y2K compliant and remain operational through the first of the year. All systems are said to be "unaffected, or they will be replaced or repaired prior to the end of the year," said Kneeshaw.

The potential for civil unrest brings with it a concern that sheriff's deputies may not be able to serve if they are concerned about the welfare of their own families during a period of disruptions in electricity, phones, and other critical services.

"This preparation cannot and will not be complete without your personal commitment to act responsibly and properly prepare your homes and families. Each of you are integral and essential to the Sheriff's Department and its mission to maintain public safety. In order for us to be able to rely on your availability and total commitment to your job, whether you are professional staff or sworn, you must be sure your family is safe and sound and adequately supplied," stated Kneeshaw in the memorandum.

Recommendations for preparations included the standard items found on Red Cross Y2K checklists regarding food, water, clothing, blankets, flashlights, medicines and other essentials. The Kneeshaw memorandum then went further than the standard recommendations and suggested more significant preparations than what are being made to the general public.

Kneeshaw recommended the use of an RV as part of a preparedness plan.

"Fill up the water and propane tank -- and you are ready to go! If there are disruptions, you can walk out to the RV and relax," said Kneeshaw.

He suggested packing the RV with freeze-dried foods, powdered drink mixes, canned and packaged foods, garbage bags, candles, lanterns, and propane heaters. He included a caution about the dangers of such heaters and the need for ventilation.

Although Kneeshaw mentioned the need to prepare for at least three days, which is the standard Red Cross and FEMA recommendation, the list of supplies and the use of an RV suggest a longer period of disruptions may take place and are considered to be possible. The deputy who provided the information was concerned because an RV is a major investment.

"If they only expect a blip on the radar screen, or minor inconveniences for a few days, then why recommend the use of an RV? That's pretty heavy-duty preparations if you ask me," stated the deputy.

Other deputies were contacted at random by phone regarding the issue. The few who spoke with WorldNetDaily did not wish to be quoted, but they indicated there is growing concern over the appearance that officials expect greater disruptions than what the general public is being prepared for.

Reina said he did not know if there is an official policy regarding a specific length of time for sheriff's staff to anticipate.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services issued guidelines on Y2K preparedness that were handed out to the San Diego sheriff's personnel, and apparently to other government employees throughout the state.

"While some problems may become evident immediately, others may take a little longer to have an impact," predicted the memorandum. Being prepared for the immediate and long-term consequences of Y2K mean being self-sufficient, which is defined in the document as being "able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, telephone and assistance from safety devices."

The OES memorandum, which was issued in June, offers several ways to evaluate personal needs to determine levels of preparations. Government employees are told to ask themselves a number of questions to anticipate their needs.

How would you cook if gas and electrical service was disrupted?

What appliances can your household function without for several days at a time?

Do you keep enough money at home to cover immediate expenses in case ATM machines do not work?

How often do you shop for groceries and other supplies?

Does your car have enough gas in the tank to allow you to function for days at a time without stopping to refill?

"Make sure you have enough sturdy covered garbage containers to hold two weeks worth of refuse should Y2K disrupt garbage collection," the OES memorandum advised. The Red Cross and FEMA do not mention garbage precautions, nor do they indicate a need for any preparation beyond a few days.

The document predicts possible disruptions of many services and advises people to prepare for life without such things as telephones, electricity, and banking. Although having cash on hand because of possible failure of ATM bank machines is suggested, the recommendation comes with the warning to "withdraw money from your bank in small amounts."

A warning is also given to maintain paper records of all financial transactions, wills, trusts, loans, deeds, insurance, taxes, health, and other important records. Warnings are also given about the possible failure of computer-controlled thermostats, garage door openers, locks, alarm systems, and other electronic equipment.

"Winterize your home and any structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock, or equipment. In the event of heat loss, make sure your water pipes are protected from freezing," the OES document warns.

So, why is the San Diego County Sheriff's Office recommending more involved preparations to the families of their staff than what are being recommended to the public?

"Probably just being overly cautious I guess. Nothing more exotic than that," Reina told WorldNetDaily.

Why not make the same recommendations to the public?

"Well, I don't know," he responded.

The Red Cross and FEMA checklists advise the public to "be prepared to relocate to a shelter for warmth and protection during a prolonged power outage if for any other reason local officials request or require that you leave your home."

WorldNetDaily has previously reported plans for moving people into shelters if Y2K disruptions last more than a few days.

"Be prepared -- we are counting on you," concluded Kneeshaw in his memorandum to the Sheriff's Office personnel.

-- de (delewis@Xinetone.net), July 12, 1999

Answers

Thanks.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), July 12, 1999.

Thank you so much for this input. I will bring copies to the Y2K Planning Committee (just getting started, and with a leader who doesn't think much of anything will happen) tomorrow evening. With so much such information available, I cannot imagine anyone's ongoing complacency.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), July 12, 1999.

Sounds as if they have been cought in ANOTHER lie!!

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@It's ALL going away in January.com), July 12, 1999.

Now think Senators, Congress Reps., CIA, FBI. There ARE bunkers. They are ready to spend months in these bunkers. We are paying for their preps and they still tell us....a 72 hr. storm.

We are on the brink of a major revolution worldwide. Watch and pray.

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), July 12, 1999.

I'll bet most cops insure their families have loaded firearms for defence as well,although they wouldn't recommend that either.

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), July 12, 1999.

I truly appreciate this contribution, De. Great educational piece. I'll be running it through the copier and sending it about tomorrow, to be sure.

How fine, by the way, to be seeing you here, De. Makes me smile, bumping into an old timer like you. (Friendly wink.)

-- Faith Weaver (suzsolutions@yahoo.com), July 13, 1999.

I have heard of similar things happening here in NJ. An employeee (a GI) from the local gun range deals with the police all the time. He said in his last Y2K conversation with a local chief that the chief told him that they (all chiefs statewide) have been having weekly Y2K meetings with state officials and that they (the chiefs) were told to instruct their officers to begin preparing for 3+ weeks of outages, etc. He also said the chiefs were NOT to start instructing citizens to prepare until Sept.

Now, I'll admit it, this is hearsay, but I know this guy and he's never lied to me before. Also, seeing the WND article confirms (to me at least) that this type of stuff IS going on.

Take it for what it's worth...

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), July 13, 1999.

Think how it could be for these people who cannot be with their families because of their jobs. And when they see how things are going a lot of them may just decide to quit!??? Learn gardening now.

-- Army Girl (aGirl@ag.com), July 14, 1999.

OK: here is FEMA's schedule for dealing with Y2K. They, also, intend to ramp up publicity re Y2K (to the SCHOOLS!) in September.

Why?

-- Lisa (lisa@work.now), July 14, 1999.

Interesting phrase - "ready to go".

One of the ways to ensure your public safety personnel are available in a crisis is to let them bring their families along to work. This is official policy in some Emergency Operations Centers.

Wonder if this is the first sign of literally circling the wagons? A family with their preps on wheels is certainly ready to move into the fort // oops // into the parking lot where hubby works ...

Just a thought.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), July 14, 1999.

Zoobie,

I was thinking along the same lines - in Sacramento County most folks don't believe you can legally get a concealed carry firearm permit - Actually you can apply for a permit but unless you are related to a cop it is very unlikely you will be approved. I seem to recall a few years back that there were only 20 or so issued, most to cop's families, very few to women.

I do suspect that part of why they are recommending 3 weeks prep is to make certain that officers are not worrying about their families any more than necessary if working "mandatory" around the clock shifts for awhile (which is what I had to do working for the ambulance co. when state of emerg. was declared here a few years ago - I was pissed off and worried to death until I knew my family was safe - then could focus on the work at hand. Didn't see them for 8 days straight (and I was a nursing mom!! - I managed well with a Medela pump and a cigarette lighter adaptor - my various co-workers had a good laugh! Hey I was in the back, some privacy...).

Boy, wouldn't it be great if everyone would prep for 3 weeks? What an insurance policy and peace of mind. Could probably significantly reduce the potential for last minute panic because folks would feel so much more confident..... (yes, I am prepared for a lot longer but 3 wks would be a HUGE step in the right direction!).

-- Kristi (securx@succeed.net), July 15, 1999.

Kristi,

This is what we've been telling our families for two years now. We don't know what will break, but last-minute panic is a sure bet. We put a stash of food in my Mom's basement back in Minnesota. She said "Now I'm ready for Y2k" and I said "No, Mom, now you're ready for the panic of '99".

Full pantries give a soft landing, no panic. If you have 3 weeks, then as soon as things break down you say "Whoosh, this thing is REAL!" and immediately cut your rations and now you have 6 weeks to figure out what to do.

The panic will be the DGI's with a frozen pizza and nothing more. Didn't have to be that way, but that seems to be how it is.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), July 15, 1999.

Well, as one of the more visible residents of "Sandy Eggo" in this here forum, I for one am glad to hear that the Sheriff's Office is telling their folks to prepare. As bw notes, everyone who preps creates more chance of a softer landing.

...San Diego County sheriff's spokesman Ron Reina , eh? Ron used to be a sportscaster hereabouts. I always wondered what happened to him. He'll certainly have a challenge with Y2K "play-by-play"...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), July 15, 1999.

From lisa's FEMA link:

Key Message Point [for Sept]:

Children can help teach their families about the need to be prepared for [y2k] emergencies.

Translation: Lets filter the bad news through their kids. That'll buy us more time, but we'll still be able to say: "We warned you! Told your kid in 1st grade, back in September!"

-- a (a@a.a), July 15, 1999.