Pages: A14 Section: Opinion
Document type: Editorial
Publication date: Jun 11, 2001
ProQuest document ID: 252882080
Copyright: Copyright Southam Publications Inc. Jun 11, 2001
Abstract:
There's no doubt the city needs better rules around raves and much better enforcement. The city seemed to be headed that way until last Wednesday when Mayor Bill Smith and three councillors decided to ban all-night dance parties and send the under-18 set home at midnight. (Of course, these teens could go meet in an all-night truck stop for coffee -- provided there's no smoking.)
Full text:
Wouldn't it be great if young people just liked to party in the family room, go happily to bed at midnight and drank only Sunny Delight?
Police and parents would be happier. And downtown residents suffering from noise, vandalism and disorderly conduct accompanying all-night rave parties would be better off.
Trouble is, it is not reality. And that's why a council committee's decision last week to outright ban all-night dance parties is off the mark.
There's no doubt the city needs better rules around raves and much better enforcement. The city seemed to be headed that way until last Wednesday when Mayor Bill Smith and three councillors decided to ban all-night dance parties and send the under-18 set home at midnight. (Of course, these teens could go meet in an all-night truck stop for coffee -- provided there's no smoking.)
It's easy to sympathize with the committee. As Coun. Allan Bolstad said, after hearing all the negatives about raves -- from parents trying to keep teens away, police who don't need the hassle, and fed-up hoteliers losing business -- why would the city accommodate them? And make no mistake, these are serious issues.
But there are already all-night bush parties, late-night grads and 24-hour shopping. So it's not that the fact of dusk-to-dawn that's the real problem, but rather that rave-goers downtown bother other business and residents. And that minors are potentially exposed to drug problems and unsafe situations.
So let's deal with those issues. The city should look at age restrictions (16 years seems appropriate). Rave-club owners should be made more accountable for enforcement. The city needs stronger powers to deal with raves clubs that don't comply. And maybe the city needs to look at very restricted locations for all-night parties.
But to just say the city will have none of this popular culture phenomenon is just too draconian.
Publication date: Jun 11, 2001
ProQuest document ID: 252882080
Copyright: Copyright Southam Publications Inc. Jun 11, 2001
Abstract:
There's no doubt the city needs better rules around raves and much better enforcement. The city seemed to be headed that way until last Wednesday when Mayor Bill Smith and three councillors decided to ban all-night dance parties and send the under-18 set home at midnight. (Of course, these teens could go meet in an all-night truck stop for coffee -- provided there's no smoking.)
Full text:
Wouldn't it be great if young people just liked to party in the family room, go happily to bed at midnight and drank only Sunny Delight?
Police and parents would be happier. And downtown residents suffering from noise, vandalism and disorderly conduct accompanying all-night rave parties would be better off.
Trouble is, it is not reality. And that's why a council committee's decision last week to outright ban all-night dance parties is off the mark.
There's no doubt the city needs better rules around raves and much better enforcement. The city seemed to be headed that way until last Wednesday when Mayor Bill Smith and three councillors decided to ban all-night dance parties and send the under-18 set home at midnight. (Of course, these teens could go meet in an all-night truck stop for coffee -- provided there's no smoking.)
It's easy to sympathize with the committee. As Coun. Allan Bolstad said, after hearing all the negatives about raves -- from parents trying to keep teens away, police who don't need the hassle, and fed-up hoteliers losing business -- why would the city accommodate them? And make no mistake, these are serious issues.
But there are already all-night bush parties, late-night grads and 24-hour shopping. So it's not that the fact of dusk-to-dawn that's the real problem, but rather that rave-goers downtown bother other business and residents. And that minors are potentially exposed to drug problems and unsafe situations.
So let's deal with those issues. The city should look at age restrictions (16 years seems appropriate). Rave-club owners should be made more accountable for enforcement. The city needs stronger powers to deal with raves clubs that don't comply. And maybe the city needs to look at very restricted locations for all-night parties.
But to just say the city will have none of this popular culture phenomenon is just too draconian.
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