Just a question, but is the generator chained, locked, secured by multiple means to hamper it from being stolen or is it just sitting behind a fence next to your home? If the generator doesn’t have any means of being secured itself, then a concrete pad with it’s own cage/fencing locked to the pad covering or housing the generator may help prevent the scenario posted for the next storm. Good luck and stay safe.
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@Tom_Grieve, people are getting to know you in the Community! 
I wonder if the emergency situation caused by the hurricane makes a difference at all?
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Still here and still have power! 
My generator is a portable 7.5kW unit that I deploy outdoors inside a 6’ fence behind a locked gate. For anyone to get to my generator they would have first had to get past the Police or National Guard that controls access to the bridges connecting us to the mainland after a hurricane. Then they would have had to get thru the 6’ fence. If they have done that, then they are most likely pretty desperate and dangerous. I personally don’t see myself engaging any more than cracking the door and yelling at them. I would call 911 and take photos of looters and vehicles. I won’t be that guy that shot somebody over a generator. I will however protect my family and myself if looters attempt to use deadly force against us.
I started this thread to get feedback regarding what non-deadly force actions to take as well as to stimulate thought amongst others that might find themselves in a similar situation. Thank you for your responses.
I am curious about other ways to preserve food.
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Thanks Dawn
I was typing while you were posting, my conscience wouldn’t let me take deadly force action over a generator but would be educational to know if the emergency situation changes things from a legal perspective.
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I made a separate topic for that topic, @Gary_H. I think it’s got enough merit for its own topic.
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I know there is a law (SB 290) that authorizes concealed carry without a license during emergency evacuations:
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Authorizes an individual to carry a concealed weapon while “in the act of evacuating” during a mandatory evacuation order issued by the governor or the local government authority (Sec. 1).*
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Defines “in the act of evacuating” as the immediate and urgent movement of an individual away from the evacuation zone within 48 hours after a mandatory evacuation is ordered (Sec. 1).*
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Authorizes the governor to extend the duration of an evacuation beyond 48 hours (Sec. 1).*
*From Votesmart.org
I’m wondering if there are other allowances due to the emergency situation…
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A generator seems like a stupid thing to die over but thieves are generally not rocket scientists so you could follow this advice : “ Well, you know, my shotgun will do better for you than your AR-15, because if you want to keep someone away from your house, just fire the shotgun through the door .” (Joe Biden) They will probably still steal your generator but now you have a window in your door.
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Whatever decisions you make if you have small to big predators in the area, can hang 10" in air is generally considered a good height to store if you are going to have an issue due to perishable, throw a block party. Not in your home but drag ye olde trusty grill out front and start cooking.
We did that during last big tornado, people started bringing food, drinks, chairs, next thing you know we had probably 10 biggish chain saws out there clearing the way, making sure those who had more damage done to their homes had safe places to sleep and clean up.
So other than waiting for power company to get there to clear power lines we were up and running. Since then we throw a block party once a year and stay connected through an app and phone tree.
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I’ve watched this through the day and figured it’s time to chime in. I do not know how the emergency declaration in each states affect this but I agree that protection of property does not usually authorize the use of deadly force unless the property in in the home or in a vehicle. That Amy change with an emergency declaration but, unless the property is necessary to support life, which a generator could be, it is not worth killing somebody.
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Love that!!
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This is the situation where I’d have a shotgun loaded with beanbags. I only intend to take a life is one is about to taken, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be sore in the morning.
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@RocketPak Now that you mention it my son’s 3 dozen paintball “markers” may be just the hot ticket for a non lethal engagement. I think they may be the modern day equivalent to “rock salt” 
Cheers,
Craig6
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@Craig6 when my hubby lived in LA, they had some trouble with taggers drifting over from the bad neighborhood on the other side of the freeway. He and a neighbor whitewashed out one of the walls they’d tagged, then sat up for a couple nights. The delinquents showed up and got their own backsides paintball “tagged”. Pretty well tattooed, as they tried to come back for their paint cans. He called a buddy on the force after they ran:
Leo: what’s up?
Hubby: caught the taggers you were looking for.
Leo: do you have them?
Hubby: nope, they ran west under the bridge.
Leo: how will we spot them?
Hubby: oh, you’ll know its them as soon as you see them.
Yep, COVERED in paint.
The hubby collected some rocksalt as a kid… says that stuff HURTS.
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I’ve been hit by paintballs. They sting but not nearly enough to stop anyone.
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@RocketPak Yeah I’ve been hit too when I was expecting them. It’s a little different when they come out of nowhere, don’t stop and chase your a$$ and your not wearing a mask.
Cheers,
Craig6
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On the paintball discussion, I used to play with my kids - back when they were kids - and I took out the last kid on the other team. I walked out and that kid lit me up with my arms down at close range, lots of bruises 
On a good note, we still have power and I just broke even playing cards with the neighbors at my house.
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I’ll play along, and try my best Tom Grieve too…
It’s self defense, not stuff defense…
Ok, BUT!
In some states you may use reasonable and limited NON-deadly force to stop an unlawful interence with your property.
(Insert section about check your local listings about local laws)
(Insert section about how you may or may not be charged with crimes for something, different LEOs and prosecutors will see same facts differently: sorry)
(Throw in something about if you articulate why your life depended upon that generator for immediate life, maybe weird outside shot at self defense or defense of other… but I don’t like it)
(Shark tank analogy about is it worth risking your life and your future behind bars to defend the generator)
How did I do?
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Understandably a lot of disclaimers there @Tom_Grieve 
I have continued researching this from a Florida perspective and this is what I have found:
In Florida, a fully fenced yard around a dwelling is curtilage and considered part of the dwelling. If force is required to enter this area then it becomes a forcible felony. Since my gates are locked anyone I have not provided access has used force to enter my curtilage i.e. committed a forcible felony - they did not accidentally stumble into my back yard. Therefore I would be entitled to the presumptions in Florida Statute 776.013. I think where it gets sticky is if the hurricane has blown a portion of my fence down allowing non-forcible entry into my curtilage/dwelling. So it does appear there is a legal case for me to use up to deadly force in this scenario if they threaten deadly force to me when directed to leave, on my property, in Florida.
However, this is merely academic for me because as I have already stated my personal morals do not justify the use of deadly force in this situation regardless of what power the legal system affords me. Every one of us is somebody’s child, and possibly sibling, spouse, parent or friend. The loss of any life leaves a tremendous impact on many others, including the one(s) involved in whatever incident caused the loss.
“With great power comes great responsibility”
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Good summary @Gary_H. Totally understand where you’re at. Interesting thing about fences and Hurricanes; you can have a perfectly sound fence And have a storm surge completely cover over said boundaries allowing passage with or without intent.
Oh, and regards my initial scenario premise; appears others have noted this is a real issue for the elderly. NPR’s Rebecca Hersher did an audio article about our older residents titled [They Just Panic: Elderly Residents Face Evacuation Challenges During Storms]() The article can be found on the web transcribed as well.
(for whatever reason the embed didn’t work properly, possibly as it was a call for an audio player to embed into the html… a step too far?)
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