Courting Disaster: A Southern Utah town's apocalyptic spending project raises eyebrows.

The past couple years have been rife with existential threats for Utahns—earthquakes, wildfires, supply chain shortages—not to mention multiple waves of coronavirus surges. It's been enough to make anyone fear the worst. So-called "preppers," once objects of ridicule, have been praised in the national media for their readiness in the face of catastrophe.

But for the town of Ivins—a small bedroom community nestled among the red rocks near St. George—individual preparation alone was deemed insufficient against future calamities. Instead, local city leaders decided to take the survivalist mindset to the municipal level.

Today, metal boxes labeled "DISASTER HUB BOX" in red letters decorate posts in neighborhoods across Ivins. The boxes can be opened with any flat, metal object like a coin, but a 150-decibel alarm is supposed to sound when the box is opened.

Tampering with the box could lead to a $1,000 fine, the red print warns. And the boxes are under surveillance by motion-activated cameras.

Read more: https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/courting-disaster/Content?oid=17864966