Are we too paranoid?

The Roodepoort Record found itself in trouble last week, after posted an alleged kidnapping on our websites. Allow me to explain the situation …

We received a distress call that a boy had allegedly been kidnapped. The details were sketchy but it was said the boy got into a car and the man driving it sped off. Fortunately, it was all just a misunderstanding, and it was the youngster’s father who had picked him up. Apparently the two had had words.

An eyewitness could have construed this as a possible kidnapping simply because he/ she did not see everything and probably made some assumptions. We, of course, posted something on the website notifying people of the events as we received the information.

The Record was slated for publishing sensational stories, not verifying the facts, and more nasty words were used by residents.

Firstly, we do check the facts before we can publish anything on our website, but the police were not available at the time.

Secondly, what if it were true? What if the boy was being kidnapped and we’d waited until it could be confirmed and the child ended up in a human trafficking situation or was killed? What if it was your child? Wouldn’t you want immediate action?

A lot of ‘what ifs’, I agree, but we would rather spring into action than wait, because it might be too late. This begs the question – have we become overly sensitive and paranoid due to the out-of-control crime rate? A little while ago, a father shot and killed his son because the father thought the son was an intruder. Little Lee Mentoor has been missing for close to four months. Cash-in-transit heists are an almost everyday occurrence. And so it continues …

We are all on edge, at least I know I am, because I don’t feel safe anywhere, not even in shopping malls. You never know when shops or security guards are the next target. Are we being too paranoid?

Until next week, stay warm and take care.