DPVWATCH WHATSAPP GUIDELINES

(Included in the Updated 2024 DPVwatch Code of Conduct)

DPVwatch WhatsApp Zone Groups are for DPVwatch members to report and receive updates on live incidents. 

All members must be respectful at all times.

By agreeing to the DPVWatch Constitution and Code of Conduct, you are agreeing to abide by these rules.

Appropriate posts on Zone Groups

1. Only report/post information relating to active incidents.
2. An incident is defined as an event that has happened recently / is currently happening / is about to happen, and has an impact on the safety and well being of the residents of the area. 
3. Postings are strictly limited to reporting suspicious behaviour/concerns/crime related information and information relevant to our area.
4. Only comments relevant to the incident e.g. updating the location of a suspicious person or feedback on the outcome e.g. arrest or suspect taken by SAPS for profiling are allowed.
5. If a message is directed at one person, please DM (direct message) or respond privately.
6. WhatsApp Group Admins must remove inappropriate posts that contravene POPIA, are offensive in terms of the Constitution or amount to hate speech.

Please avoid cluttering the Zone Groups

1. If you wish to express your gratitude to someone, ‘react’ to their message with an emoji, and do not post messages directly in the chat. 
2. Please move non-incident related and general discussions to Other WhatsApp Discussion Groups (see below). 
3. Avoid posting opinions or monologues.
4. One post for lost pet notification is allowed per incident, per zone (with a picture).

Inappropriate posts on Zone Groups

1. Discussions around on-going or deep-rooted problems in the community are not appropriate.
2. Personal information is not to be shared or reposted on any social media platform.
3. Jokes, hate speech, racism, political comments, religious comments, personal comments and other offensive posts are not allowed on any DPVwatch WhatsApp Group.
4. Advertising of services is not permitted on the Groups, except if done so with permission of the DPV Exco, and only with the intention to generate funds for the DPVwatch.

Use of Images and Content

1. Images and footage shared on the Zone Groups are useful to help identify and apprehend potential suspects.
2. Once a suspect has been apprehended, the images will be removed to protect privacy and ensure that active cases are not compromised.
3. Under no circumstances may any content from the WhatsApp Zone Groups be shared with third parties or other social media platforms.

Other WhatsApp Discussion Groups

These groups are not crime related. You can access these groups by means of the DPVwatch Community.

• Pets Lost and Found WhatsApp Group: For reporting and discussing lost and found pets within the community.
  Join the group
• Upper DPV WhatsApp Group (Not Monitored by DPV Watch): For discussions related to the upper part of DPV. This group is not monitored by the DPV Neighbourhood Watch.
  Join the group
• Lower DPV WhatsApp Group (Not Monitored by DPV Watch): For discussions related to the lower part of DPV. This group is not monitored by the DPV Neighbourhood Watch. Join the group
• Municipal Services WhatsApp Group: For reporting and discussing issues related to municipal services. Join the group