Offgrid Preparation Fugitive On the Run: The Importance of Security and Survival Training
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The New York Times recently published an article titled “Danelo Cavalcante, Pennsylvania Fugitive, Is Now Armed as Manhunt Continues”. The piece delves into the intensifying search for Danelo Cavalcante, a fugitive on the run who recently armed himself with a stolen rifle. The article paints a vivid picture of the heightened tension and urgency surrounding this manhunt.
UPDATE: Early in the morning on September 13th, 2023, Cavalcante was captured by authorities without serious incident.
The fugitive, Danelo Cavalcante, escaped from jail on August 31 and has been on the run in southeastern Pennsylvania. He accomplished this by shimmying up between two walls and exploiting vulnerabilities in the prisons' perimeter fencing. Since making the escape, and as of the date of this article, he has managed — either by luck, skill, or a combination of both — to evade the manhunt which is growing larger by the day. The situation escalated when he stole a .22-caliber rifle from a homeowner's garage. The homeowner fired at Cavalcante but missed, allowing him to flee with the weapon. Cavalcante is not just any fugitive; he has a murder conviction in Pennsylvania and is wanted in connection with a killing in Brazil. Authorities have advised local residents to stay indoors, lock their doors, and secure their vehicles. Schools in the area have also been advised to close.
From a survival and preparedness standpoint of the everyday citizen, this situation is a stark reminder of the importance of home security and situational awareness. The community in which Cavalcante escaped is known for its traditional values where neighbors know each other and look out for one another. Many residents there don't even consider locking doors on a regular basis. As a result, the fugitive was able to exploit this community by breaking into unsecured outbuildings, acquiring a firearm that was not locked away, and pillaging other supplies needed to extend his probability of surviving in the surrounding wilderness. For law enforcement who are hunting Cavalcante, this could be an important reminder of how important it is to learn soft skills like tracking, counter tracking, or the predictable patterns people tend to make in survival situations. If you'd like to learn more about these topics, check out some of our previous articles:
The homeowner who Cavalcante stole the firearm from had another pistol and attempted to fire at the intruder, but was unsuccessful at hitting his target. This brings awareness about the need for proper firearm training, especially during high-stress situations. Additionally, the community's collective anxiety highlights the necessity of emergency preparedness plans, not just for natural disasters but also for human-made crises. Especially for those living within close proximity of an active corrections facility.
This incident is part of a larger trend of increasing concerns about public safety and the challenges law enforcement faces in capturing dangerous individuals. It also underscores the role of community vigilance. The ongoing manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante serves as a cautionary tale for both urban and rural communities. It emphasizes the need for preparedness, vigilance, and community cooperation in times of crisis, and should be a wake up call for the need for continuous training for the agencies that respond to events such as these. For a more in-depth understanding of the situation and its implications, read the original article on The New York Times.
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Written by Patrick Diedrich
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