ABSTRACT
The New York City Prepper’s Network’s (NYCPN’s) mission is centered on teaching New Yorkers about the principals of disaster preparedness. In the event of a disaster, New York preppers with middle class incomes have sidestepped the global city bypassing its nodes and connections to link with one at designated points like parks, streets, other public spaces in the physical realm of the city. While independent NYC preppers create bug out bags, prepping closets, NYCPN members also develop and test the survival skills within a group to further strengthen their self-reliance. Based on the limitations of sheltering in place, New York City (NYC) preppers plan to leave the city rather than stay in their apartments if disaster strikes. In contrast to the media stereotype of preppers being primarily white males, many NYC preppers are often people of color believe that, in the event of a disaster, government response will be ineffective and slow to respond to the needs of the neighborhoods.
