Post-Disaster Scavenging Versus Looting – Is It Ever OK To Take What Isn’t Yours?

In a total societal collapse, there may be opportunities for people to take what isn’t theirs for survival purposes. But, there is a difference between looting and scavenging. Here, we discuss those differences so each person can make an individual decision as to the best way to behave.

A common scene in post-apocalyptic fiction is when the intrepid heroes come across a mall or department store that has somehow escaped destruction. They have a grand time restocking their supplies. Usually, this fun ends when they get into some sort of altercation with mutants, zombies, or the local warlord. The thought of being able to head into your local discount retailer and take whatever you want does have a bit of appeal, doesn’t it? Gives you something of a tingle, right?

But wait, isn’t that looting? Looting is, of course, illegal and in some locales the penalty for doing so is death.

Is there a difference between looting and scavenging?

Please bear in mind, for the purposes of this article, I’m focusing on a total societal collapse situation, not just a temporary power outage. Further, the whole idea behind disaster readiness or emergency preparedness is to have enough supplies on hand to provide for you and your family during and after a crisis, lasting until the world returns to normal. However, there are many potential scenarios which may involve you being stranded away from your stockpiles.

Here is my take on the looting versus scavenging debate. Please bear in mind this is only my opinion on the subject. I’m not an attorney, a judge, a law enforcement officer, or in any way in a position to give legal advice.

I define looting as stealing things that have little to no survival value. Typically, items being looted have no inherent benefit to anyone during or immediately after a disaster. HD televisions come to mind as an example, as do other major home electronics, jewelry, and beer.

Scavenging, on the other hand, I look at as being the taking of items you may need during or immediately after a disaster, such as first aid supplies, diapers, or bottled water. To my way of thinking, an additional key element of scavenging is the distinct lack of clear and immediate ownership. In a true end-of-the-world scenario, the owner of that partially burned out convenience store is most likely either deceased or has evacuated to parts unknown. Thus, the taking of items that will serve to keep you and your family alive would be scavenging.

To put a finer point on it, taking stereo systems would be looting while taking canned food for family consumption would be scavenging.

As a final note, please do not think I am in any way encouraging illegal or unethical behavior. I will never condone breaking the law, nor encourage anyone to do so. But, in a total collapse, there will likely be no official laws to follow and each person will need to decide the best course of action to take.

Jim Cobb is a disaster readiness expert. He has studied survivalism and emergency preparedness for almost thirty years. In addition to this study, Jim has acquired extensive practical knowledge by living what he teaches. He is the owner of www.survivalweekly.com. In addition to writing on these topics, Jim is also available for speaking engagements. He was recently a featured speaker at the 2011 Survival & Preparedness Conference in Dallas, Texas. His common sense and down to earth approach to “prepping” have garnered him a substantial following. Jim is a columnist for Survivalist Magazine, writing “Preppers Corner.” He is also a regular guest on the Prepper Broadcast Radio Network.

By James A Cobb