Are our crime fighting groups protection or misinformation?

COUCH patrols, keyboard warriors, WhatsApp — South Africans are on crime watch 24/7, but digital vigilance often provokes rather than protects. 

Community WhatsApp groups that began as a tool to safeguard neighbourhoods now spread rumours, inflate threats, and turn suspicion into social currency. 

UKZN criminologist Dr Nirmala Gopal warns that even minor, unverified incidents can escalate into full-blown panic with ordinary conduct misread as threats and fear spreading through communities like wildfire. Unverified reports can quickly escalate in urgency and seriousness.  

“This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, allows fear to spread rapidly. Coupled with confirmation bias, group discussions can take on an extreme tone, causing normal behaviours, such as a stranger walking down the street or a vehicle parked temporarily, to be perceived as suspicious. While some WhatsApp groups do contribute positively to safety, facilitating the recovery of stolen property or the co-ordination of neighbourhood watch efforts, many primarily influence perceptions rather than reality.”

The Independent on Saturday did a quick survey through various neighbourhood WhatsApp groups and they show striking similarities;  the “suspicious” man, the barking dogs, the car parked in the shade under a tree - all reported as threats, without any proof.

Gopal warns that these continuous alerts can increase anxiety levels among residents, leading to law enforcement being diverted to investigate false alarms instead of real emergencies.

“The implications of this situation can be even more pronounced in areas where issues such as inequality, segregation, and historical tensions can skew perceptions of threat.  The risk, however, is that unverified messages can exacerbate existing racial or class biases, fostering mistrust and division within communities. In severe instances, the spread of misinformation has led to harassment or even violence in some communities that rely wholly on these groups for crime-related information.” 

Gopal advises that effective safety-focused groups require guidelines, clear rules, active moderation, and alert verification. 

And they maintain communication with local authorities, prioritise factual information over speculation, and exercise caution in naming individuals, says Gopal. 

“Residents are encouraged to think critically before forwarding messages, asking themselves whether they would stand by the claims in a formal context. If not, it is advisable to refrain from circulating that information. As digital neighbourhood watches become more commonplace, their responsible use can enhance community co-ordination. Conversely, if mismanaged, these tools can turn vigilance into fear, breeding suspicion and prejudice and turning neighbours into self-appointed digital vigilantes,” Gopal warned. 

So are members of these groups, couch surfers, keyboard warriors or crime fighters? Experts say  the answer often depends on how these groups are managed, and how quickly assumption turns into “intelligence”.

Alicia Olivier, CMS social media specialist, says the problem is rooted in structure—or the lack thereof. She says poorly managed groups can spread misinformation, amplify fear, and even fuel social division.  She warns that informal crime-focused chats often blur the line between verified threats and assumption, creating an environment where suspicion is treated as evidence and rumours travel faster than facts.  “Community WhatsApp groups are powerful communication tools, but power without structure quickly becomes a risk,” she said. “When people start posting assumptions instead of verified information, the group stops improving safety and starts amplifying fear.”

Ordinary behaviour like walking down the street, waiting for a lift, or simply being unfamiliar, can be misinterpreted as suspicious. While the repetition of unverified posts gives them false authority, sometimes prompting unnecessary panic or misdirected law enforcement attention.

Olivier also warns of bias creeping in like coded language and vague descriptions which can encourage prejudice, while identity-based suspicion can replace behaviour-focused evaluation. Without active moderation, clear rules, and verified alerts, these groups risk becoming part of the problem they were meant to solve, she says. “Technology can support safety, but it cannot replace judgement, accountability, or trust,” Olivier said.

Security expert Mike Bolhuis  says it's vital to ensure that the group has someone who is  knowledgeable about cybercrime and hacks, infiltration and identity theft, to ensure that the group “stays clean”. Rules and structure are needed to create a useful tool, instead of digital chaos. 

“Community WhatsApp groups can work like a bomb… explosive if done correctly, dangerous if mismanaged,” he says.

He insists that each group must have a hierarchy,  reporting  procedures and clear purpose; crime alerts, emergency co-ordination, traffic incidents. “Everybody is informed and everybody works and does their thing. It's like being in a beehive, you will never see bees bumping into each other. 

In addition, “chit-chat”,  jokes, thank-yous, Bible verses or personal commentary are prohibited. He also recommends two or three admins to ensure that posts are verified, factual, and actionable. Templates for urgent alerts, including location and details, are standard. 

“False alarms must be enforced. Assumption is the mother of all mistakes,” he warns. 

Mario Luis, who administers several WhatsApp groups, says the difference between a useful safety tool and digital chaos comes down to discipline.

“If well controlled, these groups help… but others I have seen do far more harm. They don’t control or restrict, and members go wild,” he said.

Luis notes that emergency crime-reporting groups operate under even stricter protocols: no chatter, no thank-yous, no speculation — only verified alerts residents or emergency responders can act on.

He warned that “anyone can start a group, anyone can disperse information,” calling it a “dangerous and hazardous thing,” but highlighted the benefits when groups are well administered.

In his area, says Luis, an M7 highway group connects residents with municipal officials and freight operators to improve safety and reduce accidents. “The majority are happy to follow and abide by the rules, and admins step in where it becomes an issue,” he added, stressing that careful management allows WhatsApp groups to function as practical, real-time tools for community safety.

Yesterday KZN police spokesman, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said it was not their responsibility to police WhatsApp groups. 

“People entrusted with the administration of such WhatsApp groups should put measures in place to ensure that only credible information gets shared on their platforms. Any criminal activities shared on WhatsApp groups should be reported to the police, and it will be investigated accordingly.”