Are Food Riots Coming From SNAP Pause? Geauga Sheriff Weighs In

BY JEFF SKINNER

GEAUGA COUNTY - While many Americans have seemingly been unaffected by the shutdown of the federal government, rumors are spilling in from across social media of the coming storm from the ‘pausing’ of SNAP benefits. Individuals on social media have been stating their intention to simply steal food or assault anyone that attempts to stand in their way. In Ohio, TOR recently spoke with the Geauga County Sheriff’s department regarding how citizens can be prepared for whatever may come over the next few months and if there is any credible intel of potential issues. 

As many have no doubt seen, people on social media have been posting about their frustration with the pause in SNAP benefits and echoing their intention to take matters into their own hands should the tax-payer funded food program not be reinstated in quick enough order. 

Despite these bombastic claims, Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand says that Geauga county specifically has not received any credible intel to suggest food riots are around the corner.

"We haven't had anything local on information on that," Hildenbrand said. "We are monitoring that."

According to Hildenbrand, without credible information, there has been no mobilization to bolster security at grocery stores over the coming days as the November cutoff looms nears. Despite that, Hildenbrand did suggest residents keep their wits about them when out and about in general.

"The world we live in, they should be mindful every time they go out in public, be aware of their surroundings and pay attention to what is going on," Hildenbrand said. "No valid information indicates there is going to be a problem. Government has been shut down numerous times and we have never experienced a problem in our county. I Just think people should be vigilant any time they go out whether the government is shut down or not. If something doesn't look right they should report it."

While Geauga county may not be the current focal point of any issues, urban areas may still feel constrained due to the SNAP cut off. SNAP benefits are paid out on various days throughout the month to consumers depending on their case identification number, so any potential issues may not be indicated for some days or weeks during this pause until most individuals are at the 30-day post deposit marker.

For those living in densely populated, metropolitan areas, TOR can provide some helpful information based on past instances of riots from other areas for those continuing to shop during this time to help readers be more aware of where potential issues could occur or how:

1. Any likely upheaval or issues will most likely occur in urban markets first, most likely as local disturbances only, with police getting involved & containing. Any worst case scenario would appear as flash mobs with mass looting, though that would not be expected immediately just due to SNAP itself. The BLM protests have historically shown these instances as opportunities for individuals to take advantage of the chaos.

2. The spread of this issue will largely depend on the level of panic experienced by the public. To echo what Sheriff Hillenbrand stated, Geauga county has no intel on possible upheavals at this time. Rural areas are as unlikely to be affected by this as they were the government shutdown in general. That said, we could see a TikTok push by left -leaning groups or foreign actors encouraging looting and riots.

3. If things escalate, stores in poorer neighborhoods will be looted. Police will be forced to clamp down, which could either cause things to fizzle or looting to spread outside of the those areas to areas not as highly patrolled (rural areas), depending on access, this would be a later occurrence as stores being closed/emptied in lower income neighborhoods mean those shoppers come to further out areas to get access to items.

4. Food robberies in parking lots (stealing from your car/cart when your back is turned) is a possibility if people get desperate, but remember, It is possible these incidents might occur regardless of if individuals have food at their homes, as a means of protest and anger against SNAP pause or as opportunists seeking to prey on victims as with the BLM riots. Always be aware and vigilant once leaving the store in the parking lot.

6. Protests or political events are also potential targets should things progress and escalate.

7. General food shortages are unlikely. If some stores are regularly looted, it will present a problem to those hyper localized areas. However, any disruptions will be limited and temporary. We would need sustained attacks on the food supply and logistics train before we got into a dangerous situation. It is always a safe bet to ensure your home has ample backup supplies of staples to prepare for any eventuality.