Neighbourhood Watch

In reply to Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (26 July 2019). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing): I have been advised of the following:

The Facebook page which was the subject of that correspondence had been created outside of the control of South Australia Police (SAPOL) and Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of South Australia Inc. (NHWVASA). The Facebook group was using the name Pooraka Neighbourhood Watch and the four-headed logo which could indicate to members of the public that it had been approved by NHWVASA and by inference, SAPOL.

Due to the inextricable link between Neighbourhood Watch and SAPOL which has developed over many years, any posts, comments or shares could be construed as being supported by SAPOL and/or NHWVASA. This was particularly concerning as SAPOL had no control over the page or its content either through policy setting or capacity to moderate. It was deemed to be too great a risk to SAPOL's reputation and integrity to allow the page to continue operating as it was, so an email was sent to rectify this.

The Facebook page is still running, but under the name Pooraka Neighbourhood Area Awareness Group.