I think the idea is not about privacy but value. The neighbourhood watch is only as strong as its membership. By providing a members only resource the ONW has an idea of its support base and a means of communicating and interacting with them. As it is a volunteer organisation it only stands to reason that people will contribute if they feel that they are being supported by the community.
Membership also has a bearing on the funding of the organisation. The numbers help when approaching the Dept Community Safety, Saps etc for funding and training. It also great for achieving sponsorship as business can see what their return is likely to be. As wonderful as it might seem business do not sponsor things out of the good of their heart. There always has to be some return on the investment. By making some resources and tools available to membership, we create value in the membership. This should encourage people to join. Already we have some membership only resources in the form of patrolling and the radio network. In terms of privacy, I doubt that those who are the targets of intelligent thieves will be silly enough to post their security weakness on any Internet forum ( secure or otherwise.) Regards Andrew Fife A Touch of Madness - Victorian Quaffery 021 448 2266 www.touchofmadness.co.za 2009/5/6 Johnny Wessels <[email protected]> > > What prevents the thugs from also accessing the proposed site and > ultimately > having 2 morale boosting forums to infiltrate? > If- as most comments have suggested- this site could not realistically > assist criminals because most crimes are petty, why then create another? > (even if it is supposedly less accessible) > > The scum who read these messages and as you mention in your heading, get > motivated by the info, will surely pay the 14 cents per day to get further > and even juicier feed. They are possibly licking their lips just by > reading these suggestions. > This brings us to the initial Q: what will be different? > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Julia Teale" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 6:41 AM > Subject: [obsnw] Re: This site is a great morale-booster for thugs..... > > > > > > I agree to Rob's proposal. Julia > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Kris Marais" <[email protected]> > > To: <[email protected]> > > Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 3:19 PM > > Subject: [obsnw] Re: This site is a great morale-booster for thugs..... > > > > > >> > >> Hi Rob, > >> I agree with the proposal to create value for the ONW by creating a > >> members > >> only 'username' and 'password' requirement. Yes to the R50 per annum. > >> Regards, > >> Kris > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf > Of > >> Rob Gaylard > >> Sent: 02 May 2009 11:41 AM > >> To: The Observatory Neighbourhood watch > >> Subject: [obsnw] Re: This site is a great morale-booster for thugs..... > >> > >> > >> I agree with Graham. ONW are currently considering creating a members- > >> only discussion forum on the www.obz.org.za website, and also putting > >> some information on that website that can only be accessed by members. > >> Many other NWs do this, and it may help add value to membership of > >> ONW. I wonder if more people might join or become actively involved if > >> we created some advantage to being a member? Perhaps with information > >> so freely available there is little incentive for members of this > >> google group, for example, to actually join? We are also considering > >> asked members to pay a modest membership fee (e.g. R50 per annum). > >> It's difficult to run an organisation with no funds, relying entirely > >> on the voluntary efforts and contributions of a small number of > >> people. Will be interested in any reaction or suggestions. Is anyone > >> actually out there? > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> __________ NOD32 2960 (20080319) Information __________ > >> > >> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. > >> http://www.eset.com > >> > >> > >> > >> > > >> > >> __________ NOD32 4054 (20090505) Information __________ > >> > >> This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. > >> http://www.eset.com > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.12.18/2096 - Release Date: 05/04/09 > 17:51:00 > > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
