Online alarmists must beware

IT’S no secret that the crime rate in Richards Bay is presently at a high.

Shootings, robberies and thefts are plaguing certain suburbs and this is of great concern to both the residents and the police, who have set up special task teams to meet the challenges.

The situation is bad enough – but it is made even worse by those who spread alarm and panic by circulating false information, generally received second- or third-hand, or more.

Many people along the line feel at liberty to add their own opinion and to make the story more intriguing or scarier.

This is grossly irresponsible and unfortunately, the speed of modern online communication allows a falsehood to travel just as rapidly as the truth.

Strangely, many of these false reports are sent from obscure police addresses, such as logistics or legal offices.

The SAPS has a very distinct communications regime and legitimate reports will not be sent other than from a local, regional or provincial communications officer.

Equally concerning is the number of well-meaning crime victims who arise and begin their own form of community reaction, rather than adding their ideas and resources to the existing CPF bodies.

It is a worry that some new community-based sites are illegally including an SAPS or CPF badge, to look ‘official’.

On a different note but still within the same realm of concern is current circulation of totally unfounded ‘Ebola at the Bay Hospital’ rumours.

This is about as serious as bomb threats in shopping centres or hijacking comments on an aircraft.

Extreme harm is caused by the Ebola gossip.

More than that, this could well be grounds for prosecution.

Online users should be extremely careful of sharing information that is either false or illegal.

There are a number of websites one can access to test the verification of ‘chain’ email information, not to mention readily available police telephone numbers to check out crime details.