Another hysterical Mayor?

One News reports:

Tairāwhiti Area Commander Sam Aberahama firmly pushed back on claims that crime was spiking in the area. …

He said the police “social media team are actively working to have disinformation removed”.

Disinformation is false information deliberately spread to deceive people, while the term “misinformation” is used to describe false information that is spread regardless of a specific intent to mislead.

When asked who was spreading the disinformation, Aberahama said it was possible that the false information was being spread by out-of-towners.

This is not good. The Police Commander is accusing people of spreading disinformation, which is information they actually know to be untrue. This is the sort of thing that Russia is normally blamed for. Are they saying Russia is behind these disinformation claims of crime and looting?

It was in response to Government Minister Michael Wood, who said a “culture of hysteria” was building while police responded to the cyclone.

So claims of looting are disinformation and hysteria, spread by out-of-towners.

Meanwhile the Herald reports:

As “lowlifes” continue to take advantage of those impacted by the deadly devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle – including looting shops and evacuated homes – Wairoa mayor Craig Little has called on the culprits to be “jailed for life”. …

He said he was aware of several reports of incidents in his district, including break-ins.

“It is just lowlife stuff; how could you do that to people who have lost everything?” Little told the Herald.

“They are just lowlifes that we don’t want [here], go somewhere else. It is just disgusting; it is just shocking.

“Don’t downplay it. If it is happening, get those guys locked up and put away forever. You never should ever get an advantage out of people’s downfall.”

I guess a local Mayor is also an out-of-towner spreading disinformation and hysteria.