Early detection is essential to protect the house. Y2K may cause communication or emergency response failures. Neighbors may become your repair, rescue, or fire fighting squad. Squatters, vagrants, and thieves damage neighborhoods. Y2K may cause many to become homeless or migrate in search of water, shelter, or food.
Empty houses are attractive to squatters or thieves.
People who help themselves to other's things do not like to be noticed or confronted. They would rather explore a vacant house than an occupied house. They will take the easy way out. They will steal from an unlocked car or house before they steal from a locked car or house. They will take food from someone's garden before they break into someone's unoccupied house.