During Hurricane Sandy in the New York area, I was flooded in Jersey City and there was no power — there were roving gangs stealing throughout the neighborhoods. The police response was impossible. So yes, in the event of a serious catastrophe, you aren’t going to be able to depend on police to protect you.

During Katrina, there was widespread looting but also violent gang rapes and other assaults. People, especially in inner cities, are easily victims of violence and theft.