Some time ago, I posted a theory on this site regarding the opportunity it presents to the criminals out there by obtaining information and statistics that might favour them and my query was about the screening of members who join,but Trevor and several other subscribers negated my fear with logical explanations. I now do not believe that the scum out there can use this site as a substantial tool.
I do believe however, that we should be privvy to all statistics regarding crime in our area. Knowledge creates awareness and that can only be a good thing ----- Original Message ----- From: "graham" <[email protected]> To: "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 9:23 AM Subject: [obsnw] Re: This site is a great morale-booster for thugs..... And I suppose the SAPS should withhold area crime statistics from the public, in case criminals use it to identify soft targets? Information, like power, can be used for anything, and trying to keep it secret generally does more harm than good. Rather make the ONW information as readily available as possible to the 99.whatsit % of the public that want to prevent crime, who can see the group messages and want to reply, and increase awareness. Making it private you will lose many of those new members. The claim that keeping the ONW group public would increase Obs crime is entirely unjustified, merely a phobia. Graham On Apr 30, 12:45 pm, Boughies <[email protected]> wrote: > Miss Marple is right, this should by no means be available for random > public perusal, even given the fact that most "perps" are brain-fried > semi-illiterates. > > On Apr 29, 6:13 pm, Miss Marple <[email protected]> wrote: > > > I take your point Trev.....yet I am relieved that it is no longer open > > to all...... > > Perhaps we shld go the democratic route..... > > and put it to the vote ? > > > I would also like input from other neighbourhood watches..... > > > Maybe I'll try to contact one or two of them. > > > On Apr 29, 4:35 pm, Trevor Hughes <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > On Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 4:21 PM, Miss Marple <[email protected]> > > > wrote: > > > > > Very many thanks Andrew. > > > > It's a relief..... > > > > KIndly > > > > Bev > > > > Maybe false security actually if you are that concerned. > > > > I am one of the moderators so when people sign up for the list they > > > get > > > asked to say who they are before being admitted. > > > > If a crook was sophisticated enough to be following the google groups > > > instead of smoking crack all he will have to do is create a nice gmail > > > account say [email protected] and tell me he lives in 34 > > > Nuttal Road > > > and that he has just moved to Obs and wants to know about whats going > > > on. > > > > That would be good enough for me - accepted! > > > > I still think the main valid reason for password restricted areas is > > > becasue > > > they would provide value for people and be a reason why someone would > > > WANT > > > to become a member. > > > > Jonathan has made mention of the free flow of information and I am > > > also a > > > firm believer in the free flow of information. > > > > It will be interesting to see the stats of the already password > > > protected > > > areas of the obz.org.za site and see how much traffic they get. > > > > I am just being pragmatic saying that it will not stop the criminal > > > that is > > > dead set on using the information available, and that it will > > > serioulsy > > > curtail the free flow of information to those who are unwilling or > > > just > > > could not be bothered to register for yet another site. > > > > But I suppose if it works for other areas it could work for Obs. > > > > Trev -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.12/2090 - Release Date: 05/01/09 06:17:00 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
